Driving without insurance is not only risky, it is illegal in India and can result in you getting fined if you're caught. You must carry a motor insurance certificate all the time while driving on public roads.
As per the laws under the Motor Vehicles Acts of 1988, driving without a valid insurance plan is a traffic violation. Not only does it lead to legal consequences, it also exposes your vehicle to the risk of financial losses due to personal accidents and third-party liabilities.
Despite this, many vehicle owners still drive uninsured vehicles and expose themselves to these risks and violations. In this blog, we will discuss everything about the fine for no vehicle insurance.
Is it Illegal to Drive Without Insurance in India?
Yes. Driving a motor vehicle without insurance is illegal in India. It is a serious violation of traffic regulations that leads to no insurance penalties and heavy fines.
As per the Motor Vehicles Act, every car owner should have at least third-party insurance. Whether it is a private car, motorcycle or any commercial vehicle, motor insurance is mandatory for all.
Note that driving without insurance not only violates traffic laws but also exposes your vehicle to a variety of risks and financial losses.
What is the Penalty for Driving without Insurance?
The penalty for driving without insurance is laid under the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988. Here are the details of the car without insurance penalty:
In addition to these fines, several other legal actions may also be taken against you for driving without insurance.
Traffic Penalty Without Insurance: Other Consequences of Driving a Car Without Insurance
Increased Out-of-Pocket Expenses
When you don't have insurance, you have to pay for various expenses resulting from an accident out of your pocket. These include medical bills, repair/replacement charges and others. This can lead to a major financial strain.
Third-party Liabilities
If your car causes damages to a third person or their property, you will be held financially responsible for their losses.
From compensation to legal charges and penalties, you will have to pay for everything from your wallet. Besides, you may also face serious lawsuits which come with higher legal charges.
Licence Suspension
Driving without an insurance penalty may also lead to suspension of your driving license for a specified period. It means you won't be able to drive legally on public roads. I you do so, you will face serious legal consequences.
Vehicle Seizure
If you are found driving without a valid driving licence, traffic authorities may also seize your vehicle in addition to pressing legal charges against you. Simply put, you may end up losing your vehicle for not carrying an insurance certificate.
No Medical Coverage
The best car insurance plans often come with personal accident cover for the owner-driver. This helps you get medical coverage for accidental injuries and compensation in case of disability/death. When you don't have insurance, you are exposed to various risks and financial challenges.
Stressful Driving Experience
An increased risk of financial losses can result in a stressful driving experience. Without insurance, you are constantly worried about the mishaps that can arise.
How to Avoid the Fine for Without Insurance Driving?
Always Carry Your Insurance
Traffic authorities can ask you to present your motor insurance when driving. If you want to avoid fines, always carry yours in the physical or digital form. This acts as proof that you are not driving an uninsured motor vehicle on the road.
Renew Your Policy On Time
Driving with a lapsed car insurance policy attracts the same fines as no insurance penalty. Hence, keep your car insurance active and up to date. For this, set reminders about your policy renewal date and renew your policy well in advance.
Buy Long-term Insurance
It is always a good idea to buy a
long-term car insurance plan instead of a yearly policy. This helps you avoid the hassle of renewing your policy every year. As a result, you can drive freely without worrying about the expiration of your policy.
Driving No Insurance Penalty: How to Pay Fines/Challans for Driving Without Insurance?
Paying Challans/Fines Online
Go to the official
Parivahan Sewa Portal.
Select Online Services -> eChallan
On the next page, select the “Pay Online" button flashing on the top-right corner of your screen.
Fill out your challan number, verification code and click “Get Detail". If you don't have the challan number, you can also use your driving license number or vehicle number.
Select the challan you want to pay, verify the challan details and follow the instructions to make your payment online.
Make sure to download the acknowledgment receipt for future reference.
Paying Challans/Fines Offline
If you are unable to pay your no-insurance penalty online, you can do so by choosing the offline payment option. For this, you need to go to your closest traffic police station with your supporting documents. Here are the steps you need to follow:
Visit your nearest traffic police station. Bring documents such as your driver's license, vehicle registration certificate, challan details, and others.
Go to the challan counter and enquire about your challan details.
Review and verify the fine details and pay the fine at the counter.
Once payment is made, make sure to collect the acknowledgment receipt for future reference.
To avoid such fines, purchase car insurance right away. Still confused? Read the sections below to learn about the importance of car insurance and how to buy one today!
Benefits of Car Insurance
Legal Assistance
The primary benefit of car insurance is that it helps you adhere to the traffic law and avoid heavy fines and punishments associated with it. By covering the third-party damages and injuries caused by your car, it helps you navigate your legal obligations with ease.
Financial Protection
The right car insurance plan helps you reduce your out-of-pocket expenses due to potential car damages resulting from various risks. These include scenarios such as road accidents, natural disasters, theft, vandalism, fire and explosions among others.
Cashless Repairs
Another benefit of having car insurance is that it offers cashless repair/replacement facility at the trusted network garages. If your car gets damaged due to a covered event, you can get it repaired without worrying about the expensive bills.
No-Claims Bonus
No claims bonus is a popular reward offered for not filing any claims during the policy year. You can use these rewards to get discounted premiums at the time of policy renewal.
Peace of Mind
Having your vehicle covered against accidents and financial loss offers peace of mind and a worry-free driving experience. In short, you can drive your vehicle without worrying about the unfortunate events that might drain your bank balance.
How to Buy the Best Car Insurance?
Assess Your Requirements
Every car owner has different coverage requirements due to varying factors such as type of car, location, usage, IDV and so on. So, before finding the right car insurance policy for yourself, take enough time to determine your specific coverage needs and budget. This will help you find a policy with enough coverage and affordable premiums.
Compare Multiple Plans
Once you are familiar with your coverage needs, shortlist suitable car insurance plans and compare them. Take into account various factors such as features, inclusions and exclusions, claims settlement process, network garages, customer support and more. This will help you select the best car insurance plan that fits your needs.
Estimate Premiums
Buying car insurance is compulsory for legal adherence and financial safety it offers. However, it should not bring any additional financial strain on you. Thus, it is necessary to consider the car insurance premiums before buying a suitable plan. A reliable
car insurance premium calculator like ours can help you in this regard.
Select Add-ons
Car insurance add-ons are optional features that can be purchased for additional coverage. By purchasing such add-ons, you can customise your plan and enjoy better coverage without having to buy a new policy.
Some of our most popular insurance add-ons include Zero Depreciation Cover, Engine Protection Cover, No-Claims Bonus Retention Cover, etc.
Buy Online
Finally, buy your car insurance online. Here are the simple steps to purchase Reliance General Car Insurance:
Visit our
official website and navigate to Homepage -> Explore Products -> Car Insurance.
Enter your vehicle registration number and your contact details, and click on “View Prices".
Select the preferred IDV range, type of coverage and a few other details, and click “Next".
From the given options, select a suitable car insurance policy and customise it with the help of available options.
Pay the premiums, and don't forget to apply the available online discounts to enjoy a reduction in your premium amounts.
Avoid No Insurance Fines with Reliance General Insurance
Invest in motor insurance by Reliance General Insurance and say goodbye to no insurance fines and penalties. Whether you need basic coverage with
third-party insurance or all-around protection with comprehensive insurance, we offer plans to ensure your financial security.
Our plans include 100% claims settlement, access to 10,000+ network garages and affordable premiums starting from just ₹238 per month*.
What's more? You can avail up to 90% off** on buying your car insurance online from our website or
Reliance Self-i app.
For more information,
reach out to us! Stay on the right side of the law by investing in a suitable motor insurance plan today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the penalty for driving without insurance for a first offence?
The penalty for driving without insurance for the first offence is ₹2,000. For a repeat offence, it can go up to ₹4,000, along with other punishments such as imprisonment, seizure of the vehicle or driving licence, etc.
Can I pay my no-insurance penalties online?
Yes. You can easily pay your no insurance penalty online by visiting the
E-Challam Parivahan portal. It is a simple and quick way to clear your fines and adhere to the traffic rules and regulations.
What if I don't pay the fine for no vehicle insurance?
Not paying your no vehicle insurance fines/eChallans can result in further late payment penalties above the fine amount. Besides, you may also face many other legal consequences for not paying your fines within the given deadlines.
These include up to 3 months of imprisonment, disqualification of driving licence, seizure of the vehicle and more. To avoid these, it is strongly recommended that you pay your eChallans/fines within the given timeframe.
Is driving no insurance fine the same for all types of vehicles?
Yes. All types of vehicles attract the same fines and penalties for driving without insurance in India.
What is the penalty of driving with an expired car insurance?
Driving with expired car insurance is the same as driving without insurance at all. The penalty is ₹2,000 for the first offence and ₹4,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 3 months for subsequent offences.
How do I check if my car insurance is valid or not?
You can check the validity of your insurance on your policy documents. If you are unable to do so, reach out to your insurance company for the same.
I only have an own damage insurance. Will I still receive a no insurance fine?
Yes. To meet the legal requirements, you must have at least third-party motor insurance. Carrying only a standalone own damage policy will not help you avoid fines.
What happens if I meet an accident without insurance when I am not at fault?
Whether you are at fault or not, you must have insurance all the time. In the absence of it, you will have to pay for the damages and injuries caused to you and your co-passengers out of your pocket.