Vehicle Insurance: Track And Trace

Tracking vehicle insurance is essential for several reasons. Firstly, it helps vehicle owners stay compliant with legal requirements, as driving without valid insurance can result in penalties and even imprisonment in some countries. Secondly, knowing the insurance status allows owners to renew their policies on time and avoid a lapse in coverage, which could lead to rejected claims and increased financial liability in the event of an accident. Thirdly, tracking insurance can help identify uninsured drivers involved in hit-and-run accidents or those who are uncooperative after a collision. Finally, insurance tracking devices can monitor driving behaviour and provide discounts or adjusted rates based on factors like speed, acceleration, and braking patterns.

How to check vehicle insurance status online

It is important to keep a check on your vehicle's insurance status to ensure that you renew it on time and avoid legal and financial trouble. Here is a guide on how to check your vehicle's insurance status online:

The Insurance Information Bureau (IIB) Web Portal

Before checking the status, keep your car's registration number, address, mobile number, accident location, and the date of the accident ready. Then, visit the IIB web portal and fill in the required details, such as your name, address, email address, mobile number, and car registration number. You can also check the status by filling in the engine and chassis numbers of your vehicle.

Guidelines for Using the IIB Portal:

• Enter your car's registration number without any spaces or special characters.
• It can take up to two months for policy details to be updated on the portal.
• The IIB portal allows a maximum of three attempts to check your insurance policy details using an email address or mobile number.
• The portal only displays information related to vehicles purchased on or after a certain date (usually April 1, 2020, or April 1, 2010).

Parivahan Sewa/VAHAN Portal and mParivahan App

The Parivahan Sewa website and VAHAN portal are centralised websites maintained by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways that store data on all vehicles across the country. The mParivahan app was launched by the Ministry of Transport and provides easy access to all your vehicle documents.

Steps to Check Insurance Status:

• Visit the Parivahan Sewa website or the VAHAN portal, or download the mParivahan app.
• Enter your registered mobile number for citizen login.
• After logging in, fill in your car registration number and the verification code.
• Click on 'Search Vehicle'.
• The details of your car, including its insurance expiry date, will be displayed.

Regional Transport Office (RTO)

Every vehicle is registered by a Regional Transport Office (RTO) in a particular city and state. You can visit your state's RTO website or office to check your vehicle's insurance status.

Steps to Check Insurance Status:

• Visit the official website of your state's transport office.
• Go to the 'Online Services - For Citizens' or 'Online Services' option.
• Select the 'Vehicle Related Online Services' or 'Vehicle Related Services' option.
• Click on the link for 'VAHAN Citizen Services'.
• Select the details of your RTO where your car is registered.
• Go to the 'Status' tab and select 'Know Your Vehicle Details'.
• Enter your car's registration number, chassis number, and engine number.
• Fill in the captcha code and submit the details.
• The details of your vehicle and its insurance status will be displayed.

Insurance Provider's Website

All insurance companies maintain a record of the insurance policies they sell. Visit your insurance provider's website and enter the required details, usually your vehicle's registration number.

Other Options

• Check your car insurance policy document.
• Call your insurer's customer support and ask for the policy expiry date.
• Contact your insurance agent if you purchased the policy through one.

How to check vehicle insurance status offline

There are several ways to check your vehicle insurance status offline. Here are some options:

• Contact your insurance provider: You can call your insurance company and provide your car registration number and/or policy number to retrieve the insurance details. Alternatively, you can visit their branch office in person to get the policy details.
• Get in touch with the third-party administrator: If you purchased your insurance policy through a third-party administrator, you can contact them to find out the status of your vehicle insurance.
• Visit your Regional Transport Office (RTO): Your vehicle is registered with a Regional Transport Office (RTO), and they can provide you with information about your vehicle insurance. You can either visit their office in person or access their official website. On the website, you can usually find the insurance information by navigating to the 'Online Services for Citizens' or 'Vehicle Related Online Services' section and then selecting 'VAHAN Citizen Services'. From there, you'll need to enter your vehicle registration, chassis, and engine number, as well as a captcha code.
• Review your insurance policy document: If you have a physical copy of your insurance policy, you can check the document to find the policy's validity or expiry date.
• Contact your insurance agent: If you purchased your policy through an agent, they should be able to provide you with the expiry date.

How to find the insurance policy number by vehicle number

An insurance policy number is a unique identifier code that insurance providers use to track and manage individual policies. It is an important piece of information that policyholders must keep to hand to access their policy details when needed. Here are some ways to find your insurance policy number by vehicle number:

• Insurance policy documents — The most natural way to find your policy number is through your policy documents. Your policy number is usually mentioned on the policy document that you receive from your insurance provider at the time of purchase.
• Email communications — Insurers send a confirmation email with the entire policy details to your email ID immediately after purchase. You can check your inbox for that email to retrieve your policy number.
• SMS notifications — Check your mobile phone for SMS notifications sent by your insurance provider at the time of purchase. You may find your policy number in one of these messages.
• Contact your insurance provider — You can contact the customer service department of your insurance provider to obtain your policy number. They usually ask for your name, email ID, or phone number details associated with your policy to provide you with the policy number.
• Insurance Information Bureau (IIB) — The IIB maintains the details of all motor insurance policies in India in digital format. You can enter the required details and find your policy number.
• Parivahan web portal — You can find your policy number by visiting the Parivahan web portal and providing your vehicle registration number.
• VAHAN — The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways also has details of a motor insurance policy. You only need to enter your vehicle number to access car insurance policy information.

How to check car insurance validity

There are several ways to check the validity of your car insurance. Here are some methods to do so:

Online Methods:

Check your car insurance policy document

If you have your car insurance policy document, you can refer to it to find the validity or expiry date of your insurance. This is often the easiest way to check your insurance validity.

Use online portals

You can use online portals such as the Insurance Information Bureau (IIB) or VAHAN e-services to check your car insurance status. These portals are typically updated with the latest information, and you can find out the validity of your insurance by providing your vehicle's registration details.

Check through a mobile app

You can also use mobile applications such as the mParivahan App or the VAHAN app to check your car insurance validity. These apps often provide a convenient and quick way to access your vehicle's insurance information.

Check with the Motor Insurance Database (MID)

If you are in the UK, you can check your car insurance details by checking your registration number against the Motor Insurance Database (MID). This is a national register of all insured cars in the UK, and you can use their free askMID search tool to verify if your car is insured.

Offline Methods:

Contact your insurance company

You can directly contact your insurance company by calling their customer support or visiting their office. Provide them with your car registration number or policy number, and they will be able to assist you in checking your insurance validity.

Visit the Regional Transport Office (RTO)

If you have recently purchased a new vehicle, it is registered with the Regional Transport Office (RTO). The RTO maintains records of all registered vehicles, so you can visit their office or website to verify your insurance details and expiry date.

How to check old insurance policy details online

There are several ways to check the details of your old insurance policy online. Here are some of the most common methods:

Insurance Provider's Website or Mobile Application

You can visit the official website of your insurance provider or download their mobile application, if available. Log in to your account using your credentials and access your policy details. This is the most convenient and straightforward method, as it allows you to view all the relevant information in one place.

Insurance Information Bureau (IIB) Web Portal

The Insurance Information Bureau (IIB) is a web portal initiated by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) that allows you to track your insurance policy online. Here are the steps to follow:

• Log in to the official IIB web portal.
• Submit all the required information, such as your name, mobile number, email address, and vehicle registration number.
• If you cannot find the insurance details with the registration number, you can try searching using the vehicle engine or chassis number.
• If the vehicle details are still not available, you may need to visit the concerned Regional Transport Office (RTO) for further information.

Parivahan Sewa Website

Parivahan Sewa is a government-based website maintained by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, which collects data on all insured vehicles across India. Here's how you can check your insurance details using this website:

• Log in to the official Parivahan Sewa website.
• Click on the "Informational Services" tab and select "Know Your Vehicle" from the menu.
• Enter your registered mobile number and the verification code.
• Click on "Search Vehicle."
• The details of your vehicle, including the insurance expiry date, will be displayed.

VAHAN e-Services Portal

VAHAN is a comprehensive system that provides information related to your vehicle, including insurance policy details. Here's how you can check your insurance status using the VAHAN portal:

• Visit the VAHAN e-services portal.
• Go to the "Know Your Vehicle Details" section.
• Log in by entering your mobile number or create a new account.
• After logging in, enter your vehicle's registration number and click on "Search Vehicle."
• The details of your vehicle, including your insurance policy, will be displayed.

Regional Transport Office (RTO) Website or Office

Every vehicle in India is registered with a Regional Transport Office (RTO), and you can use this to your advantage when checking insurance details. Here are the steps to follow:

• Visit the official website of your state's RTO, or you can visit their office directly.
• Look for "Online Services for Citizens" or a similar option.
• Select the "Vehicle-Related Online Services" or equivalent option.
• Choose the "VAHAN Citizen Services" option.
• Enter the details of your RTO branch where your vehicle is registered, along with the registration number and any other required information.
• Submit the details, and you should be able to view your vehicle's insurance policy details and expiry date, among other information.

Frequently asked questions