Outdated Insurance: Driving Risks And Consequences

Keeping your vehicle insurance up-to-date is crucial, as driving without valid insurance is illegal in most places. If you are unable to provide proof of insurance when asked, you may receive a ticket, have your license suspended, or even have your vehicle impounded. It is also important to note that insurance policies can vary significantly, so it is essential to carefully review your policy and understand your coverage, exclusions, and financial responsibilities. While your insurance policy may provide a grace period for updating your vehicle information, it is always best to stay proactive and ensure your details are current to avoid any potential issues or gaps in coverage.

Legal consequences of not having valid insurance

Driving without valid insurance is illegal in most places, and can lead to a range of legal consequences. The exact consequences will depend on the location, the nature of the incident, and whether the driver is a repeat offender.

Fines

In many places, driving without insurance can result in fines. In some U.S. states, these fines can be as high as $5,000.

Suspension of License

Many states will also suspend the license of an uninsured driver, even if it is their first offence. The suspension may end after a specific period, or once the driver has provided proof of insurance.

Imprisonment

In some places, driving without insurance can result in imprisonment. In India, for example, driving without a valid third-party liability policy can result in up to 3 months of imprisonment.

Vehicle Impoundment

If caught driving without insurance, your vehicle may be impounded. You will then need to pay a fine and provide proof of insurance to retrieve your vehicle.

Claim for Compensation

If you are involved in an accident while uninsured, you may be held liable for any damage or injuries caused. This could result in a claim for compensation, which could be financially devastating.

Increased Insurance Rates

If caught driving without insurance, your future insurance rates are likely to be significantly higher.

How to check your insurance status online

Keeping your vehicle's insurance up to date is essential to avoid legal and financial troubles. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to check your insurance status online:

Online Platforms:

You can check your car insurance validity online through various platforms such as:

• Insurer's website: Visit your insurance provider's website and log in to your account using your registered mobile number or email address. From there, you can view your policy details, including validity and coverage information.
• Parivahan Sewa/Vahan portal: This is a centralized government website that stores data on all vehicles across the country. Go to the "Informational Services" menu, select "Know Your Vehicle Details," log in with your mobile number, and enter your vehicle registration number and verification code.
• MParivahan app: Download the mParivahan app on your smartphone, create an account, select your language, enter your vehicle registration number and search for your insurance details.
• IIB (Insurance Information Bureau) portal: The IIB maintains records of vehicles and their insurance information. Visit their website, log in, and enter the required details such as your name, location, date of the accident, mobile number, email, vehicle registration number, and address.
• RTO (Regional Transport Office) website: Visit your state's RTO website, select "Online Services for Citizens," choose "Vehicle-Related Online Services," enter your vehicle registration, chassis, and engine number, and then submit the captcha code to verify.

Contacting the Insurer:

If you prefer a more direct approach, you can contact your insurance company or agent by phone or in person. Provide them with your car registration number or policy number, and they will be able to retrieve your insurance details for you.

Checking Offline:

If, for some reason, you do not want to check your vehicle's insurance status online, you can visit the concerned RTO or the insurer's office. They will be able to provide you with the necessary information about your vehicle's insurance status and policy details.

It is important to note that you will typically need your vehicle registration number and policy number to access your insurance details through online portals or apps. Additionally, while there are no charges for checking your vehicle's insurance status on insurer or government websites, some platforms may require you to be the registered owner or policyholder to access certain information.

How to check your insurance status offline

If you would like to check your insurance status offline, there are a few options available to you. Firstly, you can contact your insurance company by phone and provide your car registration number or policy number to retrieve the insurance details. Alternatively, you can visit the insurer's office in person and provide the same information to verify your vehicle's insurance status.

Another option is to visit the Regional Transport Office (RTO) where your vehicle is registered. The RTO maintains records of all registered vehicles, so you can verify your insurance details and confirm the expiration date of your coverage through them.

Additionally, if you have recently purchased a new vehicle, you can refer to your car dealer for insurance information. Your dealer will offer car insurance for a minimum of three years, and they can provide you with the necessary details.

What to do if your insurance details are not updated on Parivahan

Keeping your vehicle insurance details up to date is a legal requirement in India and crucial for your own protection. If your insurance details are not updated on Parivahan, you may face several issues, including non-compliance with the law and a lack of adequate coverage for your vehicle. Here are the steps you can take to address this situation:

Check the Start Date of Your Policy:

Before proceeding, ensure that you are checking the Parivahan website after the start date of your new insurance policy. Parivahan will only reflect your updated insurance details after the policy's start date. Checking before this date will result in the old insurance details being displayed.

Verify Your Information:

Double-check that all the details you entered during the updating process are accurate. This includes your vehicle registration number, chassis number, verification code, and other relevant information. Even a small mistake or discrepancy can lead to your new insurance details not appearing on Parivahan.

Contact Your Insurer or Agent:

If your insurance details still haven't been updated on Parivahan, it's time to reach out for assistance. Contact your insurer or insurance agent to inform them of the issue. They may need to manually update your details on their end, which will then be reflected on Parivahan.

Utilize the mParivahan App:

The mParivahan mobile application, available for Android and iOS, provides a convenient way to manage your vehicle-related information. You can use the app to download and store your vehicle registration and driving license information. Additionally, you can pay your road tax and access other services. If your insurance details are not updated on Parivahan, try checking the mParivahan app, as it pulls data directly from the RTO server.

Contact mParivahan:

If the issue persists, you can contact mParivahan directly by sending an email to their official email address, [email protected]. Explain your problem clearly and provide relevant details such as your RC number, chassis number, and a photocopy of your insurance. You should receive a response within 24 to 48 hours.

Update Insurance Details on Parivahan:

If you haven't already, try updating your insurance details manually on the Parivahan portal by following these steps:

• Visit the Parivahan portal at https://parivahan.gov.in/ and ensure you have a secure internet connection.
• Click on "Online Services" from the menu bar on the homepage.
• Select "Vehicle Related Services" from the drop-down list.
• Choose the "Update Insurance Details" option.
• Provide your vehicle registration details, including the registration number, last five digits of the chassis number, and the verification code.
• Verify the displayed vehicle details and confirm if they are correct.
• Upload your updated insurance policy document by selecting the "Choose File" button.
• Review the displayed insurance details, including policy number, start and end dates, and insurer's information.
• Confirm the details if they are accurate, or cancel and repeat the process if any errors are found.
• Keep a record of any confirmation message or reference number provided for future reference.

Remember that it can take up to two days for updated insurance information to be reflected on the Parivahan website. Therefore, it is advisable to wait for this duration before taking further action. Keeping your insurance details up to date is essential for maintaining a valid policy and ensuring you are complying with legal requirements.

What to do if your insurance details are not updated on mParivahan

It is important to keep your car insurance details updated on the mParivahan app to avoid fines. The app provides access to various motor-related details such as the vehicle owner's name, car make, model, registration date, registering authority, fuel type, vehicle age, vehicle type, and insurance validity.

Whenever you buy an insurance policy, its data gets stored in the insurer's server. The insurance company will then send your policy details to the RTO, and the vehicle details and policy will be matched, verified, and updated in the mParivahan app within 24 to 72 hours.

If your insurance details do not get updated within this time frame, you can take the following steps:

• Contact your insurance company's toll-free number and inform them of the issue. This number will be on your insurance photocopy.
• Email your insurance company. Describe your query well, and attach a photocopy of your insurance.
• Email mParivahan at [email protected] or [email protected]. Explain your problem, and attach your vehicle details, including the RC Number, Chassis Number, and a photocopy of your insurance.

If you have recently updated your vehicle insurance, it can take up to two days for the details to be reflected on the Parivahan website. After this time, you can check if your vehicle insurance has been updated by visiting https://parivahan.gov.in/rcdlstatus/. Remember that your updated data will only reflect after the start date of the policy.

Frequently asked questions