SC's 6-Year Bike Insurance Rule: What You Pay

The Supreme Court now requires all new cars to have 3rd-party insurance for 4 years and new bikes for 6 years upfront. This changes what you pay at the dealership and whether you can upgrade to comprehensive cover.

Here's what happened: The Supreme Court has made long-term third-party motor insurance mandatory: 4 years for new cars and 6 years for new two-wheelers, paid upfront at purchase.. Third-party insurance covers legal liability for injuries or property damage caused to a third party — it does NOT cover repairs to your own vehicle after an accident.. The own-damage component of comprehensive insurance remains optional and can be purchased separately as an annual policy layered on top of the mandatory third-party cover..

What you should do: Ask your dealer to break down the insurance cost separately — mandatory third-party premium vs. optional own-damage — before signing any vehicle invoice.. Compare own-damage add-on quotes from at least 3 IRDAI-approved insurers online; dealership-bundled policies are often 20-30% more expensive than direct insurer rates.. Check your existing policy if you already own a vehicle — the multi-year mandate applies only to NEW vehicles registered after the ruling; your current renewal cycle stays unchanged..

Buy the mandatory third-party policy at the dealership, but purchase own-damage cover directly from an insurer's app — you can legally mix providers and often save ₹2,000–₹5,000 a year.

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