Vehicle Insurance: Quick Access

Knowing how to check a vehicle's insurance details is crucial, especially if you need to raise a claim, renew your insurance, or verify your car details. In some countries, such as India, it is illegal to drive a vehicle without valid insurance, and you may face legal repercussions if caught.

There are several ways to check a vehicle's insurance details, and the process has become increasingly convenient with the advancement of technology. Here are some common methods:

- Insurance Company's Website or App: You can typically log in to your account on the insurance company's website or mobile app to access all the details of your policy, including its validity and renewal dates.

- Parivahan Sewa Website: This is a central website managed by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, where you can find information on all vehicles registered in the country. To check your vehicle's insurance details, you can visit the Parivahan Sewa website, navigate to the 'Information Services' tab, select 'Know Your Vehicle Details', log in with your mobile number, enter the verification code and your vehicle's registration number, and click on 'Search Vehicle'.

- VAHAN Portal: The VAHAN e-services portal is another option to check your vehicle's insurance status. You can log in with your mobile number, enter your vehicle's registration number and the unique code, and click on 'Search Vehicle' to access the insurance validity information.

- RTO Website: The Regional Transport Office (RTO) is where you register your vehicle, and you can also check your insurance status through their website. Visit the RTO Website, select 'Online Services for Citizens', choose 'Vehicle-related Online Services', click on 'VAHAN Citizen Services', enter your RTO branch details, navigate to the 'Status' menu, select 'Know Your Vehicle Details', and provide the necessary details such as vehicle registration, chassis, and engine number.

- Insurance Information Bureau (IIB) Portal: The IIB maintains records of vehicles and can be accessed if you need to check insurance details after an accident. You will need to provide details such as your name, location of the accident, date of the accident, mobile number, email address, and vehicle registration number.

- mParivahan App: This mobile application allows you to check your vehicle's insurance status on the go. Simply download the app, create an account, select your preferred language, enter your vehicle's registration number, and hit the search button to access the insurance validity information.

- Offline Methods: If you prefer, you can also call your insurance company and provide your car registration number or policy number to retrieve the insurance details. Alternatively, you can visit the insurer's branch office or the respective RTO office to obtain the policy details.

Using the Parivahan Sewa website

The Parivahan Sewa website is a centralised website maintained by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways that stores data on all vehicles across India. When a motor insurance policy is purchased or renewed, the data is updated on the Parivahan Sewa website within two days.

To check your vehicle's insurance status using the Parivahan Sewa website, follow these steps:

Step 1: Visit the official Parivahan Sewa website at https://parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/.

Step 2: Go to the 'Information Services' tab located in the menu bar.

Step 3: From the drop-down menu, select 'Know Your Vehicle Details'.

Step 4: The Vahan NR E-Services page will open in your web browser.

Step 5: Log in by providing your Registered Cell Phone Number.

Step 6: Upon logging in, input the Verification Code and your Vehicle's Registration Number.

Step 7: Proceed to choose the 'Search Vehicle' option.

Step 8: On the resulting page, you will find details about your vehicle, including the expiration date of your insurance coverage.

In addition to the Parivahan Sewa website, you can also check your vehicle's insurance status using the mParivahan mobile app, the VAHAN web portal, the Insurance Information Bureau (IIB) portal, or by contacting your Regional Transport Office (RTO).

Using the VAHAN e-services portal

The VAHAN e-services portal is a highly comprehensive system that provides all the information related to your vehicle, including insurance policy details. The portal is maintained by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and is part of the e-governance application of the National Transport Project.

• Visit the Vahan e-services portal. You can access the portal by visiting the following link: https://vahan.parivahan.gov.in/nrservices
• On the homepage, look for the 'Information Services' button on the top menu bar and click on it. This will open a drop-down menu with additional options.
• From the drop-down menu, select the 'Know Your Vehicle Details' option. This will redirect you to the Vahan NR e-Services page.
• On the Vahan NR e-Services page, you will need to log in to your account. If you are a new user, you can create an account using your mobile number. Enter your mobile number and the verification code sent to your phone.
• Once you are logged in, enter the registration number of your vehicle. The vehicle registration number is a unique 10-digit alphanumeric code assigned to your vehicle by the Regional Transport Office (RTO). It typically consists of a combination of letters and numbers, indicating the state and district where the vehicle is registered.
• After entering the registration number, click on the 'Search Vehicle' button.
• The next page will display all the details of your vehicle, including insurance policy information. This typically includes the insurance validity or expiry date, and in some cases, the insurance company providing the coverage.

It is important to note that the VAHAN portal is just one of several ways to check your vehicle's insurance details online in India. Alternative methods include using the Parivahan Sewa portal, the mParivahan mobile app, the Insurance Information Bureau (IIB) web portal, or the official websites or mobile applications of your insurance provider. Additionally, you can also check your vehicle's insurance details offline by contacting your insurance company or visiting the concerned Regional Transport Office (RTO).

Using the mParivahan mobile app

The mParivahan mobile app was launched by the Indian government as part of its Digital India initiative to provide citizens with easy access to road transport services. The app offers a range of features, including the ability to check vehicle insurance details. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use the mParivahan app to check your vehicle's insurance status:

• Download the App: Start by downloading the mParivahan app on your smartphone. The app is available for both Android and iOS devices.
• Create an Account: Once you have the app installed, open it and create an account using your mobile number. This will allow you to log in and access the app's features.
• Select Your Language: After logging in, you can choose your preferred language. The app supports multiple languages, including English, Hindi, and Marathi.
• Enter Vehicle Registration Number: On the app's dashboard, you'll see a vehicle search box. Enter your vehicle's registration number here and hit the search button.
• View Vehicle Details: The app will display the details of your vehicle, including insurance validity information. You can also find other important information such as the owner's name, registration date, make and model of the vehicle, fuel type, vehicle age, and vehicle class.
• Create Virtual RC/DL: One of the convenient features of the mParivahan app is the ability to create a virtual Registration Certificate (RC) and Driving License (DL). This eliminates the need to carry physical documents. You can show the digital versions to traffic police during checks.
• Check Second-Hand Vehicle Details: If you're planning to buy a second-hand car, the mParivahan app can be very useful. You can verify the age, registration details, and ownership of the vehicle before making a purchase.
• Notifications and Alerts: The app also provides notifications and warnings if your vehicle is involved in an accident. This can help you stay informed and take necessary actions.
• Challan Status and Payment Details: With the mParivahan app, you can easily check the status of any challans against your vehicle and make payments if needed.
• Vehicle Verification: You can use the app to verify your vehicle's registration details and ensure all the information is accurate and up-to-date.
• Pollution Checking Center Locator: Another useful feature of the mParivahan app is the ability to find the nearest pollution checking center. This is especially helpful for keeping your vehicle emissions in check and complying with environmental regulations.

The mParivahan app is designed to make accessing road transport services more convenient and transparent for citizens. By following these steps, you can easily check your vehicle's insurance status and take advantage of the other features offered by the app.

Using the RTO website

Step 1: Visit the RTO Website

Firstly, you need to visit the official website of the Regional Transport Office (RTO) of your state or district. The RTO is responsible for registering vehicles and issuing unique registration numbers, so their website will have a database of vehicle information.

Step 2: Navigate to Vehicle-Related Services

Once you are on the RTO website, look for a section or tab labelled "Vehicle-Related Services" or something similar. This is where you will find the tools to check vehicle details.

Step 3: Select "Know Your Vehicle Details"

Under the vehicle services section, look for an option that says "Know Your Vehicle Details", "Vehicle Information", or something similar. This is the tool you will use to check the insurance details of your vehicle.

Step 4: Enter Vehicle Information

After selecting the appropriate tool, you will be prompted to enter specific information about your vehicle. The details required may vary depending on the RTO, but in general, you will need to provide the vehicle registration number, chassis number, and engine number.

Step 5: Enter the Captcha Code and Verify

Finally, you will need to enter the captcha code and submit your request. The website will then process your request and display the vehicle details, including insurance information.

Additional Notes:

• It is important to ensure that you are using the correct and official RTO website for your region.
• Keep in mind that the layout and specific steps may vary slightly between different RTO websites.
• If you are unsure about the process or cannot find the relevant tools, try contacting the RTO directly for assistance.
• Remember that the vehicle registration number is typically found on the number plate of your vehicle and is unique to your car.
• In addition to insurance details, the RTO website can provide other vehicle-related information, such as owner details, registration status, and vehicle specifications.
• You can also use other platforms like the Parivahan website, VAHAN portal, and Insurance Information Bureau (IIB) website to check vehicle insurance details.

Using the insurer's website or app

Step 1: Visit the Insurer's Website or Open their App

Go to the official website of your insurance provider or download their mobile app, if they have one. You can usually find this information on your insurance documents or by searching for the company online.

Step 2: Log In to Your Account

Log in to your account on the insurer's website or app using your registered mobile number or email address, and password or OTP. If you haven't set up an account yet, you may need to create one.

Step 3: Navigate to the Policy Information Section

Once you're logged in, navigate to the section that displays your policy information. This could be called "Policy Details," "My Policies," or something similar.

Step 4: View Your Policy Information

Here, you should be able to view all the relevant details of your vehicle's insurance policy, including the policy number, coverage dates, type of coverage, and any additional benefits or endorsements.

It's important to regularly check your insurance policy details to ensure you're up to date with payments, aware of any changes, and to verify that your coverage is still active. This can save you from potential legal issues and financial liabilities in case of accidents or damages.

Additionally, by keeping track of your policy renewal dates, you can ensure that your coverage doesn't lapse, avoiding any interruptions in your insurance protection. Most insurance providers will send reminders before your policy expires, but it's always good to be proactive.

Frequently asked questions