What is Endorsement in Two-Wheeler Insurance?

Riding your bike comes with its share of risks, making buying bike insurance a vital necessity. It protects your bike in case of accidents, theft, or damage and provides financial security against third-party liabilities. 

This is where an insurance endorsement comes in. A two-wheeler insurance endorsement is an official modification or addition to your existing insurance policy that allows you to adjust your coverage. Read on to know more about insurance endorsement, its importance, and the steps to apply for it,

An endorsement is an official change or addition to the original bike insurance policy document. It improves the policy's coverage, terms, or conditions by adjusting it according to the policyholders' needs.

Policy endorsement can be customised by adding, removing, or changing the coverage provided. If coverage changes, adjustments, or extra coverage are needed in the future,  the insurer or the policyholder can start updating the policy accordingly.

There are two primary types of endorsements in bike insurance, each designed to tailor your policy to suit your specific needs better. The types include:

Change in Existing Two-wheeler Insurance Details

Any modifications to your existing bike insurance policy can be made by requesting endorsements from your insurer. These endorsements allow you to update personal information or adjust specific terms of your coverage.

Addition to The Existing Two-wheeler Insurance

You can enhance your existing bike insurance plan by adding add-on covers through an endorsement, increasing the overall coverage beyond the basic plan. Regularly reviewing your policy to ensure it meets your current needs is recommended.

Endorsements are essential to fill the gap in standard insurance policies. In bike insurance, the endorsement is utilised for various reasons, allowing policyholders to modify or add to their coverage. Several common reasons include:

Change in Ownership

When a bike is sold or transferred, an endorsement is needed to modify the policyholder's information and cover the new owner. This helps ensure that the new owner is covered under the policy.

Change in Insured Value

If there is a change in the value of the bike through modifications, upgrades, or depreciation, an endorsement must be used to modify the sum insured to match.

Add or Delete Riders

If the policyholder wishes to add or delete extra riders or named drivers from the policy, an endorsement must be made to record these modifications in the policy.

Change in Address

If the policyholder relocates to a new address, they should seek endorsement, which is necessary to change the address and provide for any probable variations in levels of risk.

Modification or Customisation

If the bike is customised, an endorsement is required to alter the policy to support these modifications. This could impact your bike's value and risk profile, affecting your premium amount.

Change in Policy Terms

Occasionally, policyholders might need to modify the coverage limits, deductibles, or other policy terms, necessitating an endorsement to incorporate these changes.

Submitting a policy endorsement request is a straightforward process. To request endorsement insurance, follow the given steps:

Step 1 - Identifying the Need

Determine the reasons for applying endorsement, whether for alterations to the bike, a change of ownership, or updating personal details.

Step 2 - Contacting the Insurer

Contact your bike insurance provider and fill out the form and the terms and conditions.

Step 3 - Submit Documents

If required, submit supporting documents such as proof of address, vehicle details, or any other relevant information.

Step 4 - Pay Additional Charges

If it increases the benefits, an updated policy document containing the changes made is required.

Step 5 - Updated Document

After the endorsement, the insurer will provide an updated policy document that includes the changes.

Endorsements in bike insurance can significantly impact both your premium and the coverage provided by your policy. Here's how endorsements can affect: 

Impact on Coverage

Coverages offered by your bike insurance policy will be changed with endorsements. The changes to your coverage will depend on the nature of the endorsement.

• Coverage Extension: Additional coverage can be obtained with endorsements such as zero depreciation, engine protection, or personal accident cover.
• Coverage Restriction: Some endorsements may be restricted to a single country or general to international or cross-border coverage. 

Impact on Premium

They will change your premium depending on whether they incur a higher or lower premium. 

• Premium Increases: For add-ons through endorsements, like for modifications or attached riders, you raise your premium to adjust for enhanced protection. 
• Premium Decreases: The premium could decrease if you remove certain coverages, such as reducing coverage for some accessories.

You can request it for your bike insurance as often as needed, depending on the changes in your policy. Generally, you can request as much as necessary, but with the following considerations:

During Policy Terms

If your policy is active, you can make endorsements. You can also update your policy anytime if you add modifications or move to a new address.

Premium Adjustment

If your endorsement causes an increase or decrease in premium, the insurer will adjust the premium, usually at the time of request.

Renewal Period

While many insurers may prefer to process multiple endorsements during policy renewal, a request can be made anytime when the policy is active.

Once an endorsement is added to your bike insurance policy, it remains effective for the remaining period of the current policy. The changes reflected in the endorsement will stay valid until the policy term ends. 

The endorsement will no longer be valid after the policy expires. Additionally, an endorsement of a specific insurance plan component is valid based on its terms and conditions.