How to Re-Register a Vehicle in India?

Registration is a process of registering the vehicle in some specific person’s name. This is done at the time of purchase of the vehicle. Without a valid vehicle registration, it is illegal to ply the same in India. Once a vehicle is registered, you can officially drive the same anywhere within the geographical boundaries of India. 

Registering a motor vehicle in one’s name was quite a tedious process but that seems like a distant past now. The Government of India has launched its official website named “Vahan” as a part of the ‘Digital India’ drive. Now the entire procedure has become simple. Thus, it has become quite easy for you to follow the process without any hassle. 

What is Vehicle Registration?

Vehicle Registration is a process whereby you get your car number plate and it is registered under the list and records of the Government. The main motto of registration is to have a linkage between you as the owner and your vehicle through a distinct identification number and therefore shows a car registration number plate. It is of extreme importance to register your vehicle so that the Government can curb any illegal activities in India. One of the main important reasons for registration of the vehicle is to get valid insurance coverage, without which is not possible. 

According to the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, section 39A, a vehicle is permissible to be driven in public roads only after registration by the respective transport authority for registration. Hence, the registration certificate is a certified legal document which acts as a proof that your vehicle is recorded and verified in Government records. In India, registration within 7 days from the delivery date of the vehicle is compulsory.

What is Re-Registration of the Vehicle?

There are 2 situations under which a vehicle needs to be “RE”-registered, i.e. registered again. Those situations are: 

  1. Situation 1:
    It is compulsory for all private vehicles to do the re-registration of the vehicle after 15 years from the date of the initial registration as per the Central Motor Vehicles Act. After this, the registration is renewable at a gap of 5 years till the RTO declares the vehicle to be safe and fit for driving on the roads in India
  2. Situation 2:
    It is necessary for you to re-register your vehicle if you move from one state to another with your vehicle.
    The law says: If a motor vehicle, when registered in one particular state, is present in another state for any valid reason, for more than twelve months’ time, you would have to transfer your vehicle to the new state and RE-register the same. So, if you simply visit another state for a tenure of 12 months or less, then there is no need to re-register your vehicle.

    However, if your period of stay exceeds 12 months, then you need to apply for a Transfer and Re-Registration. The process of Transfer of Vehicle is:

    1. As the registered owner of the vehicle will have to put an application to the same RTO where the vehicle was registered
    2. Then you need to fill in the documents and submit them to the authority of the new RTO in the respective jurisdiction for the assignment or re-registration of the vehicle 
    3. There is a timeframe of 1 year for this entire process to be completed, as mandated by the Central Government.

The procedure involved in Re-registration of vehicle

Steps for re-registering of the vehicle under certain scenarios:

  1. Situation 1:
    In order to re-register your vehicle after a tenure of 15 years of initial registration, you will have to put forward an application form. Your vehicle has to be presented before the RTO for scrutiny and the essential fee has to be paid to the RTO. After the vehicle is scrutinised and verified with all other documents, the RTO will be in a position to issue a fresh Registration Certificate or an RC. For car registration renewal, the below-mentioned documents need to be submitted to the RTO:
    1. Properly filled Form Number 25 which is the application of renewal of registration
    2. Registration Certificate in original
    3. A valid Pollution Under Control Certificate or the PUC
    4. Insurance Certificate of the Vehicle
  2. Situation 2:
    In order to transfer your registration from one state to the other, there are two vital aspects which you should be careful about which are:
    1. Vehicle Hypothecation Position:
      If the vehicle had been taken under finance and it has the hypothecation done by the financer in the Registration Certificate. In this case, you need to get the No Objection Certificate or the NOC from the respective financer beforehand, so that you can register your vehicle in the other required state without any hassles
    2. Compulsory Road Tax:
      On transferring the vehicle from one state to another,you may have to pay the road tax of the new state at a depreciated price of the vehicle. If you need to apply for a refund of the Road Tax from the state you are moving for the remaining tenure of the tax validity, you need to apply for the same at the time of obtaining the NOC.
      Road Tax is levied by the State and the Central Government, and hence each state has its own specifics and basis of road tax calculation which you need to pay accordingly.

Steps for car registration renewal

Let us now see the 3 broad steps of car registration renewal in details for a better understanding: 

  1. Step 1: The first step for you is to get the No Objection Certificate or NOC.
    Some important points for you to note for obtaining a NOC are:
    1. Notary attested self-declaration affidavit has to be furnished by you on an INR 10 stamp paper stating that all relevant documents for the vehicle are original with no outstanding dues for the vehicle
    2. A No Objection Certificate should be attained from National Crime Record Bureau or NCRB affirming that its not a stolen vehicle
    3. A No Objection Certificate from the financer in Form Number 35 if the vehicle had been taken on loan and the same hasn’t been repaid yet
    4. You need to provide 3 properly filled copies of:
      1. Form No 27, i.e. the application for the assignment of new registration, 
      2. Form number 28, i.e. the application and 
      3. The grant of No Objection Certificate together with 
      4. NOCs from the Traffic Police, 
      5. NCRB as well as 
      6. The financer to obtain the NOC from the respective RTO
    5. Other vehicle documents like the PUC Certificate, copy of Smart Card, copy of Chassis imprint, proof of identity and proof of address have to be submitted. 

    The RTO then will issue an interstate automobile transfer NOC within a timeline of 2-3 weeks.

  2. Step 2:
    There are a specific set of documents needed for car registration renewalin other state mentioned as below which you need to submit:
    1. Documents that need to be shown in the original include Smart Card, Insurance Document, Pollution Under Control or PUC Certificate
    2. The Original Invoice so that the RTO can compute the road tax basis the depreciation of the vehicle
  3. Step 3: Re-registration of vehicleand Road Tax payment

    After the above step, you can apply for Re-registration of the vehicleand pay the appropriate road tax with a certain set of documents for the vehicle, your personal documents, NOCs etc. The following documents are to be submitted by you at the RTO

    1. Re-registration of the vehiclecan be made in Form Number 20, the application for registration for your vehicle and Form number 33, the application of intimation for address change
    2. If you have a used vehicle, you must submit the relevant documents for the transfer of title or ownership
    3. After the vehicle is being registered, you can apply for a refund of tax as appropriate

List of documents needed for re-registration of a Vehicle

Here is the exhaustive list of documents that are needed for re-registration of a Vehicle:

  1. Application Form in Form Number 27 as mentioned above
  2. Registration Certificate
  3. No Objection Certificate as mentioned above
  4. Residence Proof
  5. Certificate of Insurance
  6. PUC
  7. Form Number 28 as mentioned above
  8. Form Number 20 as mentioned above
  9. In the case of commercial vehicles, Challan clearance from the department of traffic police
  10. Certificate of Fitness
  11. PAN Card or Form 60 as applicable
  12. Fee for parking
  13. Certificate manufactured about emission standards
  14. Sketch imprint of the Chassis and the Engine
  15. Your Date of Birth proof
  16. Proof for the address of the seller
  17. Sign identification of the seller

Fees re-registration of a Vehicle

There is a charge for re-registration of the vehicle which must be paid before the process is completed. Here is a list of the required fees that need to be paid for re-registration of a Vehicle:

Vehicle Type

Amount (INR)

Two Wheelers

300

Light Motor Vehicle for Non-Transport

600

Light Motor Vehicle for Transport

1000

Vehicles carrying medium goods

1000

Vehicles carrying medium passengers

1000

Motor Cycle which is Imported

2500

Vehicles carrying heavy passengers

1500

Motor vehicles which are Imported

5000

Vehicles carrying heavy goods

1500

Other vehicles not included in the above list

3000

Points to keep in mind while applying for a Re-registration of the vehicle:

The Registration Certificate can be renewed easily and you need to keep in mind the following points:

  1. Within 60 days of the Registration Certificate expiry, the fresh application for the renewal of the Registration Certificate has to be made via Form number 25 to the particular authority in registration in the same area the vehicle is registered
  2. Payment has to be clear for all the taxes which are unpaid if there are any
  3. Payment has to be made as per in the CMVR Act of 1989

The car registration renewalof a private vehicle is effective for a period of 5 years. You are allowed to renew them every 5 years as mentioned above.

Re-registration is a legal and easy process which can be quite hassle-free if you get the documents beforehand. All you need to do is to follow the process, get the right documents and get the vehicle re-registered.

FAQs

  1. Is re-registration and reassignment of registration certificate same?

    Yes, re-registration and reassignment of registration certificate are the same and the same applies when you are moving from one state to the other.

  2. Is Transfer of ownership related to re-registration?

    No, transfer of ownership and re-registration are different. Transfer of ownership happens under the following 3 scenarios:

    • Transfer of ownership when you are selling your vehicle to another buyer

      As soon as the vehicle is sold off, the name of the buyer is recorded as the registered owner of the vehicle instead of the earlier registered owner and this process is called as the transfer of ownership.

    • Transfer of ownership upon the death of the owner of the vehicle

      As soon as the registered owner of a vehicle dies, transfer of ownership is effective in the name of the legal heirs of the expired registered owner and the usage of the vehicle can be for a period of 90 days within 30 days from the date of death of the owner.

    • Transfer of ownership in auction

      When a vehicle is sold in public auction, the name of the buyer is recorded as a registered owner instead of the earlier registered owner and once again this is the process called and named as the transfer of ownership.

  3. Is No Objection Certificate mandatory in case of re-registration?

    Yes, it is compulsory to get the No Objection Certificate and is a crucial step in the process of re-registration of your vehicle.

  4. What documents are needed for address change in the registration certificate?

    You can change the address in the RC book once you are shifted to a different state. As an owner of the vehicle to register a new address in case of any change in the address, you need to apply for the same with a certain document which is as follows:

    • Form number 33 application form for address change in the RC book
    • RC book
    • Your new address proof
    • Pollution Under Control Certificate
    • Certificate of Insurance
    • No objection certificates
    • Fee for the Smart card fee or the registration certificate
    • Your attested PAN card copies or form 60 as appropriate
    • Sketch imprint of the Chassis and the Engine
    • Your signature proof as an owner
  5. What documents are accepted as proof of residence?

    Any one of the following documents is accepted as proof of residence.

    • Ration card
    • Passport
    • Voters’ Id
    • Aadhar Card
    • Life insurance policy
    • Utility bills like telephone bill, electricity, gas bill
    • State or Central Government issued payslip
    • House Sale or Rent Agreement

How to Get Health Insurance without Medical Checkup – Complete Guide

Medical costs are increasing by leaps and bounds as modern-day medicine has become advanced and technology-driven. At the same time illnesses are rising as lifestyle changes have made people prone to health risks. In this scenario, affording quality healthcare has become difficult and challenging for many because of financial constraints. That is why people invest in health insurance plans to protect against the financial strain of a medical emergency.

When it comes to health insurance plans, buying them is easy as the plans can be bought online. However, there is a concept of pre-entrance health check-up under many policies before the coverage is granted. Let’s understand what this check-up is all about –

What is pre-entrance health check-up?

When you buy a health insurance plan, the insurance company insures the risk of diseases and injuries. While injuries cannot be predicted, it is easy to predict the occurrence of diseases based on your medical health. That is why many insurance companies ask you to undergo specific medical check-ups before you can avail coverage. These check-ups are called pre-entrance health check-ups as they are required before buying the policy. 

Why such medical check-ups are required?

Insurance companies want to assess the probability of claims in the policies that they issue. To assess this probability they insist on pre-entrance medical check-ups. The medical check-ups help insurers understand the present medical condition of the insured and to find out if there are any pre-existing illnesses or medical complication. If the medical reports are found to be favourable, insurance companies can easily offer coverage to the insured. If, however, the medical reports show some medical complications, health insurance companies can do one or more of the following –

  • Increase the premium to compensate for the higher health risk that they are undertaking by issuing the policy
  • Restrict the amount of coverage available
  • Put restrictive coverage terms on coverage of specific illnesses which might arise due to the medical complication found in the report
  • Reject the proposal for insurance altogether if there is a very high health risk

The requirement of medical check-ups in health insurance plans

Now that you know why medical check-ups are required by health insurance companies, you should know that not all health insurance plans need you to undergo pre-entrance health check-ups. The requirement of pre-entrance medical check-ups occur in one or more of the following instances –

  • If your age is high

Usually, health insurance plans require pre-entrance health check-ups if you are aged 46 years and above. It is believed that individuals up to 45 years of age are comparatively healthy and as the age advances, medical complications set in. So, under many plans, you would find the requirement of pre-entrance health check-ups if you are aged above 45 years. Some plans, however, do not need pre-entrance health check-ups till 55 or even 60 years of age.

  • If you opt for a high sum insured

If you choose a sum insured which is high, the risk for the insurance company increases as the claim amount increases. As such, for high levels of the sum insured, pre-entrance health check-ups are needed even when you are young. Generally, the sum insured level above which pre-entrance medical check-ups are required is INR 10 lakhs while some plans might even allow coverage up to INR 20 lakhs without medical check-ups. However, if you choose a higher limit of sum insured, medical check-ups would become mandatory even when you are young.

  • If you declare an adverse medical condition in the proposal form

When filling up the proposal form you are required to divulge your medical history and present medical condition to the best of your knowledge. So, when filling up the proposal form if you mention that you suffer from an adverse medical complication or condition, the insurance company might ask you to undergo a medical check-up before issuing the policy irrespective of your age and the sum insured that you choose.

Health insurance without medical check-up

When it comes to undergoing pre-entrance health check-ups, many individuals tend to avoid buying the health insurance plan altogether. The reasons for such avoidance are as follows –

  • They are averse to the idea of pre-entrance medical check-ups even when such check-ups can help them know about their health. 
  • Many also fear the detection of a medical condition which might increase the premium charged and avoid buying plans with medical tests. 
  • People find it inconvenient to undergo health check-ups before buying the policy
  • The insurer bears the cost of pre-entrance health check-ups only if the policy is issued. If the policy is rejected, the cost falls on the shoulders of the policyholder which is an added expense
  • Many companies pay only 50% of the cost of health check-ups making policyholders pay the remaining 50%. This is an added expense which many individuals do not like to undertake

Whether it is a mental aversion to health check-ups, the costs involved or the inconvenience of undergoing the test, pre-entrance medical tests are not favoured by all. That is why many people look for health insurance plans which do not require medical check-ups. Are there such plans available?

The answer is ‘Yes’. There are health insurance plans which do not require pre-entrance health check-ups up to a certain age and/or sum insured limit. Let’s have a look at such health insurance plans without medical check-ups –

Name of the health plan

Salient features

The need for medical check-ups

Star Health Family Health Optima

  • Sum insured restoration is inbuilt under the plan
  • Free annual health check-ups after every claim-free year
  • Coverage for assisted reproductive treatments

No medical check-ups needed till 50 years of age. However, if an adverse medical history is mentioned in the proposal form, medical check-ups would be needed

HDFC Ergo Health Easy Health Plan 

  • Coverage is offered for up to INR 50 lakhs
  • There are three plan variants and you can choose a variant as per your need
  • Maternity and air ambulance cover is offered under higher variants of the plan

Pre-entrance medical check-ups depend on the entry age and the sum insured opted. If the tests are required, 100% of the cost of the tests would be borne by the insurance company

Universal Sompo Complete Healthcare Insurance Plan 

  • Accidental dental treatments are covered under the plan
  • There are three plan variants and you can avail coverage up to INR 10 lakhs
  • A range of optional benefits are available under the policy for customization 

Pre-entrance medical check-ups are not needed till 55 years of age. However, if there is a medical complication disclosed in the proposal form, medical check-ups might be required even if you are below 55 years of age

Care Health Insurance Plan

  • Sum insured up to INR 6 crore
  • A range of optional covers for enhancing the scope of the policy
  • Comprehensive coverage with annual health check-ups and sum insured restoration feature

Pre-entrance medical check-ups are not required till 45 years of age if the sum insured is below INR 15 lakhs. For higher sum insured levels and/or higher ages, medical check-ups would be compulsory

Manipal Cigna ProHealth Plus 

  • The plan allows the worldwide emergency cover
  • The sum insured is restored automatically if it is exhausted in a policy year
  • There are a range of value-added and optional coverage benefits which make the plan comprehensive

No pre-entrance medical check-ups would be required till 45 years of age if the sum insured is up to INR 50 lakhs. For higher ages and/or sum insured, pre-entrance health check-ups would be needed

Disclosures at the time of buying health insurance

Even if you are young or you choose a low level of sum insured, you might be required to undergo pre-entrance health check-ups if you disclose about any adverse medical condition in the proposal form when you apply for a health insurance policy. Fearing this many individuals try to hide important medical information when buying a health insurance policy. This is a mistake because of the following reasons –

  • If you hide material information which directly impacts the risk undertaken by the insurance company, you breach the principle of utmost good faith. If the insurance company finds about your non-disclosure, the policy would be cancelled and it would become null and void. You would not only lose coverage but also the premium paid under the policy
  • At the time of claims, if the insurance company finds out that you did not disclose about your medical condition when buying the policy, it might reject your claim

To avoid claim rejections and termination of coverage, you should always disclose about your medical condition when buying a health insurance plan. In case of an adverse medical complication, the company might increase your premium or limit the coverage but your claims would be honoured when the time comes and even your policy would not become null and void. So, complete disclosure at the time of buying a health insurance policy is a must.

While there are health insurance plans which do not require medical check-ups, remember that such plans would allow only limited coverage without health check-ups. So, if you are looking for a higher sum insured and want comprehensive protection, do not avoid medical check-ups. Undergo the required medical tests and get comprehensive coverage.

IRDAI’s new rules would reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. Here’s how

Health insurance plans prove to be a blessing in times of medical emergencies when expensive treatments and hospitalisation might blow a hole in your finances. Health plans cover your hospitalisation expenses as well as the costs of treatments sparing you the financial burden. 

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) constantly makes changes in the rules and regulations governing health insurance plans to make the plans more customer-friendly. Recently, IRDAI has made new guidelines for the concept of ‘proportionate deduction’ which is applicable under plans with room rent sub-limits. Before having a look into the recent changes made by the regulator, let’s understand the concept of proportionate deduction and how it works.

Sub-limits on room rent

Under many health insurance plans, especially when the sum insured is up to INR 5 lakhs, there are sub-limits on room rent covered under the policy. This sub-limit is expressed as a percentage of the sum insured and ranges between 1% and 2% of the sum insured. For example, if the sum insured is INR 5 lakhs and room rent sub-limit is 1% of the sum insured, the applicable limit would be INR 5000/day.

Proportionate deduction – the concept

Many hospitals have preferential pricing for treatments and doctor’s fee depending on the type of room that they are admitted. If you are admitted to a suite room and undergo an appendectomy, its cost would be higher compared to the same treatment taken in a normal room. So, since hospitals price their costs based on the room rent, health insurance companies do not want to pay higher claims for rooms with higher room rents especially when there is a specific sub-limit on the rent under the plan.

The concept of proportionate deduction, thus, becomes applicable if your actual room rent exceeds the specified limit. If your actual room rent is higher than the allowed limit, the insurance company does not pay the full cost of inpatient hospitalisation. It reduces the bill proportionately to the cost which would have incurred had you taken treatments in a room within the allowed room rent. Let’s understand with an example –

Say for a plan with a sum insured of INR 5 lakhs, the room rent limit is 1% or INR 5000. If you seek treatment in a room whose rent is INR 6000 and incur a total hospitalisation bill of INR 1.5 lakhs, the claim payable would be calculated as follows –

INR 1.5 lakhs * (5000/6000) = INR 1.25 lakhs

Thus, even if the claim is within the sum insured, the amount would be proportionately reduced to arrive at a figure proportional to the allowed room rent. Any excess costs incurred, i.e. INR 25,000 in the above example, would be borne by you and become your out-of-pocket expenses.

What has changed?

IRDAI has made two important changes in the concept of proportionate deduction in health insurance plans. These changes are as follows –

  • Costs included under proportionate deduction

    Earlier, health insurers considered the total inpatient hospitalisation bill when calculating the proportionate claim payable. However, in the recent guidelines, IRDAI has eliminated some medical costs from the purview of proportionate deduction. The following costs would now no longer be considered in the hospitalisation bill when doing proportionate deductions – 

    • Pharmacy costs
    • Costs of medical implants and devices
    • Cost of diagnostic tests
    • Consumables 

    Other hospitalisation costs would be considered when calculating the proportionate amount of claim thereby reducing your out-of-pocket expenses.

  • Non-applicability of proportionate deduction 

    According to the guidelines specified by the IRDAI, if hospitals do not have different room rents for different rooms, the concept of proportionate deduction would not apply. In that case, if the actual room rent is higher than the sub-limit, the total inpatient hospitalisation claim would be paid by the insurance company without any deduction.

Furthermore, if the insured is admitted to the ICU, the concept of proportionate deduction would not be applicable because ICU rent is fixed and does not change with the type of room you are admitted into.

Implementation of the change

These changes would be made effective for all new health insurance plans bought on or after 1st October 2020. For existing policies bought before 1st October 2020, the changes would be effective from 1st April 2021.

What the changes mean for you?

As specific costs are being excluded from the computation of proportionate claim, you would get full coverage for such costs irrespective of the room rent. Moreover, if you seek admission at hospitals where there are no different room rent categories or in case of ICU admissions, proportionate deduction would not apply. All these aspects would increase the claim amount payable and reduce your out-of-pocket expenses thereby making health plans more pocket-friendly.

The rules are, therefore, a welcome change for health insurance customers and might even drive the sale of new health plans. Your health plan has just become better and you should know these changes to know the expected out-of-pocket expenses when claims occur.

Now get reward points in your Health Insurance plan for staying fit

The trend of healthy living has gone viral. Many of you opt for organic food, go for walks, practice Yoga, Zumba or Pilates and/or opt for a balanced and nutritious diet. While healthy living helps you stay fit, now, you can also get rewards in your health insurance plans for your heathy efforts.

Earlier, some health insurance policies were rewarding you for practicing healthy habits. For instance, HDFC Ergo Health’s Optima Restore and Easy Health Plans have a Stay Active Benefit which gives you a premium discount if you take a specified number of steps in a policy year. Now, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has asked all health insurance providers to design health plans with wellness benefits. IRDAI has asked companies to reward their customers for practicing a healthy lifestyle. Let’s have a look at what the IRDAI guidelines state –

Health rewards being promoted by IRDAI guidelines

IRDAI has asked insurance companies to provide one or more of the following benefits to policyholders –

  • Cover for preventive healthcareCosts included in preventive healthcare are usually incurred on an outpatient basis. They include doctor’s consultations, health check-ups, pharmaceuticals, diagnostic tests as well as outpatient treatments. IRDAI has asked insurance companies to offer coverage for these OPD costs so that customers can track their health regularly. Insurers might offer such coverage at networked or empanelled hospitals. Alternatively, rather than covering such costs insurers can also allow discounts on the expenses if the same are incurred at specific hospitals.
  • Wellness benefitsHealth insurance companies can issue vouchers to customers that can be redeemed on health supplements or on buying memberships of fitness clubs and centres. Moreover, if the insured member practices a wellness program during the policy tenure, a premium discount might also be allowed at the time of renewals.
  • Coverage for excluded costsSome medical costs are not covered under inpatient hospitalisation which incurs out-of-pocket expenses for customers. IRDAI has urged insurance companies to cover such excluded costs as a part of a wellness program which they might start in their plans.

Insurance companies are free to choose the wellness benefit which they want to offer their customers. IRDAI has asked companies to mention the details of their wellness programs in plan brochures so that customers can find out the wellness rewards when buying the policy. These wellness benefits can also be offered either as an inbuilt benefit or as an add-on depending on the insurer’s practices.

Objective behind the new guidelines

In these new guidelines being pushed by the IRDAI, there are two main objectives. The first one is to promote the concept of healthy living among individuals. With the incentive of the reward program, IRDAI believes that policyholders would become mindful of their health to avail wellness benefits from their health insurance plans.

The second objective is to improve the claim experience of the insurance company. As individuals start practicing healthy living and take care of their health, the probability of claims due to illnesses would reduce. This would help insurance companies reduce their claim liabilities and improve their profitability. This improved profitability would, in turn, allow insurance companies to offer cheaper premium rates and more benefits to policyholders.

Thus, IRDAI’s benefits are beneficial for you, the customer, as well as the insurance company. In fact, you would become more health-conscious and start taking care of your health as health plans promote wellness benefits. Your lifestyle would improve and you would also get additional benefits from your health insurance plan. So, while the new guidelines are good for the insurance company, they are better for you, the customer, as they give you better benefits and might also reduce your health insurance premiums.

Complete Information on How to Transfer Vehicle Ownership

Are you looking to sell off your car and buy a new one? You are aware of whom to contact for selling but not sure about how the Transfer of ownership will take place? Is it something which is very difficult? Well, certainly not, the process of Transfer of ownership is simple and easy and all you need to know is why it is important and under what circumstances with the procedure of doing the same. Transfer of ownership of vehicles or a Registration Certificate Transfer is significant as it safeguards the vehicle and all the lawful obligations are being shifted to the purchaser. Transferring of the ownership would imply shifting the car owner’s name from your name to the buyer’s name or transferring the title of the vehicle from one owner to the other owner Transfer of ownership is obligatory under Indian law of Motor Vehicle Act, 1988. A transfer of ownership of the vehicle is indispensable to avoid any problems and complications in future about vehicle registration, insurance policies, etc. Transfer of ownership helps both the seller and the buyer or in some cases only the buyer to have a clear Registration Certificate book with no disputes. Hence, you must abide by this law of transfer of ownership, follow the necessary process or steps without fail to have a smooth sail of the vehicle. There may be several situations (discussed as below) where the ownership of the vehicle needs to be transferred from one person to the other. Let us have a comprehensive view of the process of transfer of ownership of vehicles or the two-wheeler.

You must remember that when you are selling your vehicle, it consists of two parts and hence

  • The 1st one is Transfer of ownership of the vehicle
  • The 2nd part is Transfer of the vehicle insurance policy- This is important as because you will not be in a position to claim insurance if need be in future

Situations for where Transfer of ownership is required:

  1. Transfer of ownership when you are selling off the car to another buyer

    As soon as the vehicle is sold off, the name of the buyer is recorded as the registered owner instead of the earlier registered owner and this is the process called and named as the transfer of ownership.

  2. Transfer of ownership upon the death of the owner of the vehicle

    As soon as the registered owner of a vehicle dies, transfer of ownership is effective in the name of the legal heirs of the expired registered owner and the usage of the vehicle can be for a period of 90 days within 30 days from the date of death of the owner.

  3. Transfer of ownership in auction

    When a vehicle is sold in public auction, the name of the buyer is recorded as a registered owner instead of the earlier registered owner and once again this is the process called and named as the transfer of ownership.

Process of Transfer of Ownership of vehicle or the two-wheeler

The steps of how to transfer vehicle ownership can be summarized as below:

⮚ If you are a buyer you will have to submit the application form for transfer of ownership of the two-wheeler at the same RTO department where from the vehicle or the two-wheeler was earlier registered when you bought it the first time

⮚ You will then have to submit the form no 29* and form no 30** at the Directorate of Transport office with additional documents in original like the insurance details, RC, receipts of tax paid, address proof of the seller, photograph of passport size, etc.

⮚ After all the necessary inspection is completed by the RTO, the ownership and insurance-related papers of the vehicle will be transferred to the new buyer within 14 days

⮚ If the buyer and the seller are from the same state, the buyer will provide all the required details of the transfer to the registration office within two weeks’ time. On the other hand, if the buyer and seller are living in different states, then the buyer will have to notify the registering authority within 45 days about the forms and related documents for the transfer of vehicle

⮚ If the seller of the two-wheeler dies the buyer of the vehicle must inform the authority of registration with the necessary forms and related documents for the transfer of vehicle with the certificate of death. of the buyer can now go ahead and apply for the transfer of ownership within 3 months of the death of the seller.

Now that we have understood the process of Transfer of Ownership, let us see the related documents which are needed for this process and also the other additional documents needed under various situations as mentioned above

List of documents required for Transfer of Ownership

The below list of documents is mandatory and is needed to complete the Transfer of Ownership properly:

  1. Certificate of Registration:

    This is a compulsory document for the Transfer of Ownership process. The seller has to give this certificate of registration to the buyer. This document basically confirms and endorse the fact that the vehicle belongs to the seller.

  2. Pollution Certificate or PUC:

    Again, a compulsory document to confirm that vehicle or the two-wheeler has followed all the necessary rules related to the pollution control and is PUC**** certified.

Certificate of Insurance: A mandatory document for all the vehicles. The RTO office will not allow any registration without a valid Certificate of Insurance. The insurance policy will also have to be transferred in the buyer’s name and to complete the process of transfer the insurance certificate is essential. And while buying the vehicle, the insurer should be communicated so that the insurance policy can be transferred in the buyer’s name

List of other documents essential for Transfer of Ownership in case of a usual buying and selling:

We know by now that there are 3 mandatory documents needed for Transfer of Ownership, however, there are other documents as well which are needed when you are buying or selling the vehicle. Let us have a look at the below documents which are required under various situations of Transfer of Ownership

  • Original Registration Certificate
  • Form no 29* filled and signed by the seller of the vehicle
  • Form 30 **
  • If the buyer and seller are living in different states, then at that time, you will have to provide the No Objection Certificate of the entry tax for that state. An important point to note is that in the case of moving the vehicle from state to the other, the vehicle should not be more than 30 months old
  • If the seller had bought the vehicle through a loan, and the loan is continuing at the time of selling the vehicle, then a No Objection Certificate or NOC from the lender will also be required. The respective bank or the financial institution should issue the No Objection Certificate which is needed to be submitted to the registering authority at the time of transfer
  • Copy of the attested certificate of insurance
  • Copy of the attested address proof of the purchaser
  • Attested Certificate confirming about the vehicle or the two-wheeler’s pollution clearance status
  • Fee for transfer of ownership
  • Copy of attested PAN Card or Form 60 and 61 as appropriate

Documents to be submitted in the case of Death of the Owner:

If the of the vehicle dies, the buyer will have to submit the documents as mentioned below for the transfer of ownership

  • Form number 30- application for notification of transfer has to be completed carefully with the correct details with a chassis label
  • Form number 31 application for transfer of ownership in case of the death of the seller
  • Form TCA, TCR (for only transport vehicle)- TCA- This is an intimation of transfer by the buyer and TCR- An intimation of transfer by the seller. Since the seller has died, the buyer has to submit the death certificate to the RTO
  • If the owner has expired, then a certificate of death needs to be presented
  • Important documents, for example, a succession certificate, affidavit from the former owner of the vehicle or the two-wheeler and the No Objection Certificate from financier is needed as well
  • Documents or receipts related to the fee for the registration of the vehicle or the two-wheeler
  • Original RC, emission test for pollution, documents for insurance, receipts of tax payment, photographs- passport size, proof of address of the seller, etc.

How to transfer Insurance Policy after the vehicle is transferred?

By now, you must have got clarity about Transfer of Ownership, how the process flow is and the documents related to it. Your next question: how should I transfer insurance? Are there any legal implications if I miss transferring the insurance? Well, it is very crucial that you transfer the insurance as well to avoid any kind of dispute in case of an accident, otherwise you will not get the claim. The steps are simple and easy to follow:

Step 1- Intimation to the insurance company and obtaining a No Claim Bonus Certificate

Once you inform the insurance company about the selling of your vehicle and transfer of ownership, the insurance company will proceed to transfer your insurance. Remember, that you must get an NCB retention certificate from the insurer in case you have no claim bonus in your name and you can still retain the bonus while selling off your vehicle thereby using the same for your new car. You need to submit certain important documents mentioned below:

Ø A request letter for cancellation of the insurance policy

Ø Policy Document in original

Ø Insurance certificate

Ø Form 29*

Ø Form 30**

Ø Registration Certificate copy

Ø Proof of delivery to the buyer

Step 2- Transfer of the insurance policy

After the 1st step, you need to submit the following set of documents for transferring the policy

Ø The modified Registration Certificate with form number 29*

Ø Policy document

Ø No Objection from the seller which is you

Ø Application form for the new policy

Ø Copy of the inspection report which is done by the insurer

Ø The variance between the original premium and the new premium post no claim bonus

You must be wondering about the charges for transfer of ownership which needs to be paid to the RTO. Here is a quick view of the same.

Two-wheeler ownership transfer fees:

Type of Vehicle

Amount (INR)

Light Motor Vehicles for Transport

500

Light Motor Vehicles for Non -Transport

300

Medium Goods for passenger vehicles

500

Medium Goods for passenger vehicles

750

Medium Vehicle for goods

500

Heavy Vehicle for goods

750

One can know the vehicle transfer status easily from the site named  https://parivahan.gov.in/rcdlstatus/ by just putting the registration number and entering a code for verification.

Always remember to transfer the vehicle ownership together with insurance while selling the car, this is not only mandatory as per the law but also advantageous to you if you are selling the buyer as well as the buyer. Let us have a hassle-free and a smooth possession of vehicles and drive freely and safely

FAQs

  1. I have bought a car lately but the insurance of the car expired before transferring the ownership in my name? What should I do now?

    You need to renew the insurance policy in the name of the initial or the first owner and then put an application for transfer of the RC after which when the RC will reflect your name, then only you can transfer the insurance.

  2. I am from Mumbai and I want to purchase a used car from another state? Will I be able to buy it?

    Yes, you can, however, you will need the No Objection Certificate from the preset RTO where the initial registration has taken place with the seller agreement, form 29 * and form 30** signed by both buyer and the seller.

  3. I purchased a car a year back. The first owner in the same State has also given the No Objection Certificate, but I missed transferring the same in my name. Now I want to sell off the car, can I do that?

    No, you will not be allowed to do that. You need to have the transfer done in your name for you to sell the car.

  4. Is a No Objection certificate needed if I wish to transfer the ownership within the same RTO?

    The initial and the first owner’s No objection Certificate will be needed to do the transfer of ownership in the same RTO.

  5. What is the time frame for transferring vehicle ownership?

    The time is usually 10-15 working days after all the necessary documents are submitted.

Complete Information on How to Transfer Two-Wheeler Ownership

Buying a second-hand bike is quite common in today’s age. A second-hand bike is more affordable and it also fulfils your conveyance needs. That is why the used vehicle market is growing as sellers sell off their existing bikes to buy newer models or to invest in a car and buyers looking for affordable options buy them. While buying and selling used bikes has become easy in today’s times, you should know the process of transferring the ownership of the bike. As long as the used bike is not transferred from the name of the seller to the buyer, the purchase process is not complete. Thus, it becomes necessary to understand how the ownership is transferred if you sell or buy a used bike.

A transfer of ownership not only completes the process of buying a second-hand two-wheeler, but it is also essential to avoidany future problems and difficulties concerning registration of the vehicle, insurance policies for the vehicle, etc. Moreover, the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 also mandates the transfer of ownership if the bike is bought and sold second hand. So, let’s understand the process of Bike Ownership Transfer in detail.

Process of Bike Ownership Transfer

For the purpose of Bike Ownership Transfer, you should take the following steps –

  • If you are the buyer you are required to submit an application form for transferring the ownership of the two-wheeler. This form should be submitted to the same RTO office where the two-wheeler or bike that you are buying was previously registered
  • You are, then, required to submit two forms at the Directorate of Transport office. These forms are Form 29 and Form 30. Form 29 is a No Objection Certificate which should be signed by the seller stating that the seller has no objection in transferring the ownership to the buyer. Form 30 is the report or intimation of transfer of ownership. This form should be filled by you, the buyer as well as the seller and it would contain the signatures of both parties. Along with these forms, you would also have to submit certain documents like tax paid receipts, insurance, RC, proof of address of the seller, a photograph of passport size, etc. All these documents should be submitted in original
  • Once all the necessary verification process has been done by the RTO, the ownership documents and the insurance documents of the two-wheeler would be transferred to the buyer within 14 days
  • If the buyer and seller of the bike live in the same State, the buyer would have two weeks’ time to submit the forms and documents for transfer to the concerned RTO. On the other hand, if the buyer and the seller live in different States, the forms and documents for the transfer of the vehicle should be submitted within 45 days
  • If the seller of the two-wheeler dies, the buyer should inform the RTO about the death of the seller. The death certificate should be submitted along with the forms and documents of transfer of ownership. The buyer can, then, apply for Bike Ownership Transfer within 3 months of the death of the seller.

Documentation required for Bike Ownership Transfer

To complete the process of transfer of ownership of the bike, the following documents would have to be submitted –

  1. Certificate of Registration:
    This is a compulsory document for the transfer of ownership to be effected. The seller should give the certificate of registration to the buyer of the bike. This document confirms and endorses the fact that the bike or the two-wheeler belongs to the seller.
  2. Pollution Certificate or PUC:
    Once again, a mandatory document which states that the two-wheeler has followed all the rules relevant to pollution control and is PUC certified.
  3. Certificate of Insurance:
    An insurance cover on the bike is necessary as per the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Due to this rule, the bike, which is being bought, would have an insurance cover on it and the policy would be in the name of the seller. This insurance policy would also have to be transferred in the name of the buyer and for the transfer to take place the certificate of insurance would be required. At the time of buying the bike, the insurer would have to be informed of the sale of the bike so that the insurance cover can be transferred in the name of the buyer.

Other documents required for Bike Ownership Transfer

The above-mentioned documents are the three important documents which would be required in all cases of buying a second-hand bike. Besides these three mandatory documents, there are other documents too which are required to be submitted when you are buying or selling a second-hand bike. These documents depend on how the bike is being bought or sold second hand. So, let’s have a look at the documents required in different instances of bike ownership transfers –

  1. In case of standard purchase and sale of a second-hand bike:

    If you are buying or selling a second-hand bike under normal circumstances, the following additional documents would be required to be submitted –

    ⮚Form number 29, which is the No Objection Certificate and which has been filled and signed by the seller of the bike

    ⮚If the two-wheeler is being bought or sold within the same State, a No Objection Certificate from the RTO would be required. If, however, the two-wheeler or bike is being transported from a different State, then you would have to provide the No Objection Certificate or NOC of the entry tax for that State. However, in the case of transporting from another State, the bike should not be more than 30 months old.

    ⮚Original RC book of the bike

    ⮚Receipts of road tax paid on the bike

    ⮚Passport-sized photographs of the seller

    ⮚If the seller had bought the two-wheeler through a two-wheeler loan and the loan has not been repaid fully at the time of sale of the bike, then a No Objection Certificate or NOC from the lender would also be required. The bank or the financial institution from where the loan was availed should issue a No Objection Certificate on the transfer of the bike. This certificate is also needed to be furnished to the RTO at the time of transfer

  1. In the case of Death of the Owner:

    If the owner of the bike dies, the buyer would have to submit the below-mentioned documents for transferring the ownership of the bike in his/her name –

    • Form number 30, which is the notice of transfer, has to be filled appropriately with the accurate details of the bike. The chassis inscription of the bike should also be attached with the form when it is submitted.
    • Form number 31 which is the form for transfer of ownership of a vehicle in case of death of the seller
    • Form named TCA which is the intimation of transfer by the buyer and TCR which is the intimation of transfer by the seller,
    • Since the seller has died, the death certificate of the seller would be required to be submitted to the RTO
    • Other important documents like the succession certificate, affidavit from the preceding owner of the vehicle and the No Objection Certificate from the financial institution or the financer (if the bike was financed) are also needed.
    • All the documents pertaining to the vehicle together with the fee for registration. As per Rule 81 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989, the fee will be charged as appropriate.
  1. In case of the auction of the bike:

    If a bike is being bought at an auction, the following documents would be required –

    1. Form number 32 which is the application for transfer of ownership of the bike when the bike is bought at a public auction
    2. PAN card of the buyer of the bike. If, however, the buyer does not have a PAN Card, Form 60 should be filled and submitted
    3. Vehicle’s Chassis and Engine pencil print
    4. Proof of date of birth of the buyer
    5. Proof of address of the buyer
    6. An undertaking by the buyer
    7. Passport size photographs of the buyer of the bike
    8. Tax clearance certificate
    9. A certificate which certifies that the vehicle or the bike is sold to the new owner in an auction which is being directed by the Central Government or the State Government
    10. A certificate which confirms that the auction has been directed by the Central Government or the State Government

Two-wheeler ownership transfer fees

To get the ownership transferred in your name, you would have to pay a transfer fee to the RTO. This transfer fee is equal to INR 30.

So, if you are buying a second-hand bike, do know the process for the transfer of the bike and the documents which would be needed for such transfer. Only when the process is followed and you submit all the relevant documents would you be able to become the owner of the second-hand two-wheeler that you buy. So, remember the process, arrange for all the relevant documents and buy that second hand bike which you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How can I get the insurance policy transferred in my name?

    Only transferring the ownership of the bike is not enough, the insurance policy on the bike should also be transferred. To transfer the insurance policy, you should inform the insurance company of the purchase of the second-hand bike. You would, then, have to submit the new RC book which contains your name as the owner of the vehicle, original policy document, your address proof and passport-sized photographs. Once the documents are submitted, the insurance company would verify the documents and transfer the insurance policy in your name. You might be required to pay a fee for transferring the insurance policy in your name. This fee would depend on the insurance company and would be communicated to you when you request for transfer of the policy.

  2. Within how much time should the insurance policy be transferred?

    The insurance policy should be transferred within 14 days of buying a second-hand bike.

  3. I am buying a second-hand bike from another State. Where should I apply for transfer of ownership?

    The application for transfer of ownership of the bike would have to be made in the State where the bike is registered. 

  4. I am selling my bike second hand. Would I lose the accumulated no claim bonus on my bike insurance policy when I transfer it to the buyer?

    No, the no claim bonus remains with the seller when the bike insurance policy is transferred. So, you would be able to retain the no claim bonus when you transfer your insurance policy to the buyer of your bike.

  5. If the insurance policy has lapsed on the bike, can the transfer of ownership be done?

    Usually, the bike insurance policy would have to be renewed when the bike is being sold second hand. When the policy has been renewed by the seller then the process of transfer of ownership can be done.

Chassis Number: Check & Find Chassis Number, VIN & Engine Number in 2021

If you have a vehicle, you would have probably heard about “chassis”, “vehicle identification number “etc. However, are you aware of what exactly they are or where you can find them on your vehicle? Read on to know more about it.

What is a VIN or a Chassis Number?

A Vehicle Identification Number or a VIN or the Chassis number is an exclusive identification number allotted to all the vehicles and it is through this number the relevant authorities check registration by chassis number in India. Each and every motor vehicle has a 17 digits VIN number which is treated as the only identity of the vehicle. 

There are quite a few reasons why you may want to know your vehicle’s VIN Chassis number. The VIN number implies the place of manufacture of the vehicle, manufacturing year and other important statistics and information about the vehicle. You may also want to know the VIN number if you want to place an order for certain parts of the vehicle and is eager to see the precise built and the model of the respective vehicle. 

Why is a VIN or a Chassis Number important?

A Vehicle Identification Number is a globally acknowledged and recognized standard to classify different categories of motor vehicles as well as commercial vehicles and also private vehicles like cars, trucks, buses, and motorcycles. Interesting to note here is that a Vehicle Identification Number has a sequence of letters and numbers where each and every character implies a definite data and information about the motor vehicle. The VIN is critical as it is the finest and a safe way of tracking the exact distinctiveness or identity of the vehicle. Usually, the vehicle registration establishments and the car manufacturers have the necessary records with VIN numbers since it empowers them to authenticate the identity of the vehicle appropriately and accurately by merely plugging in the VIN number. Hence, to check registration by chassis number in India, VIN or the chassis number is very crucial

Different Ways to Find your Vehicle’s Chassis Number:

VIN, engine number and chassis number are like the DNA of your vehicle that distinguishes it from other vehicles. It could be challenging to find these unique numbers of your vehicle. But there are various ways to know your vehicle’s chassis number. Let’s take a look at those different ways through which you can find the chassis number of your vehicle.

  • Registration certificate: 

    When you purchase your vehicle, registration would be done at the local Regional Transport Office (RTO). You would also receive a registration certificate (mandatory document for the vehicle owner) in return. Please note that the RTO prints your vehicle’s chassis number on the registration certificate, which can be referred to anytime.

  • Insurance policy document:

    The insurance policy document is also one of the mandatory legal documents that every vehicle owner must keep. The policy document that you receive from the insurance company after getting your vehicle insured carries your vehicle identification number (VIN). It would be easy to find the chassis number or VIN when you have a handy digital copy of an insurance document.

  • Vehicle Dashboard:

    One of the easiest ways to look for your vehicle’s chassis number is on the dashboard. However, it may depend on the car manufacturer, as not all car manufacturers do not print the vehicle identification number (VIN) on the dashboard.

  • Hood:

    The Hood of the vehicle, which can be located beside the engine can also have a vehicle registration number (VIN) under it.

  • Door:

    The chassis number is often printed on the driver’s side door. If you open the door, you can find the number printed on the metal strip found on the B-pillar of the car. 

  • Rear-wheel:

    Some of the car manufacturers print the chassis number above the rear wheel. However, it could be challenging and difficult to locate the chassis number printed above the rear wheel.

  • Boot:

    Do you know you can find your vehicle’s chassis number just by lifting the spare wheel? VIN or the chassis number is often printed in the boot under the spare wheel. 

  • Front Grille:

    Few car manufacturers will print the chassis number or the vehicle identification number (VIN) under the front grille of the vehicle. All car models may not carry this.

  • Car Dealership:

    Approaching your car dealer would be one of the most convenient and easiest ways to find your vehicle’s chassis number. 

How to Find your Vehicle’s Engine Number?

Just like the vehicle identification number (VIN) or the chassis number, an engine number is also a unique number that distinguishes your vehicle from the other. Here are the ways to find your vehicle’s engine number:

  • Registration Certificate:

    The most convenient and simplest way to find the engine number is to refer to your vehicle’s registration certificate. You can see the engine number printed on the registration certificate.

  • Engine: 

    Car manufacturers will print the engine number on the car’s engine. You can clearly and easily find the engine as soon as you open the hood.

  • Owner’s Manual:

    Though the engine number can be found on the engine of your car, where it is exactly imprinted by the vehicle manufacturer may differ depending on the model. You can refer to the owner’s manual to find the same.

  • Car Dealership:

    You can always approach your car dealer to get your vehicle’s engine number.

  • Insurance Policy Document:

    Your vehicle’s insurance policy document also mentions the engine number along with the vehicle identification number or chassis number. You can have a digital copy of your vehicle insurance handy to refer to anytime.

Before you proceed, you may want to check out some of our plans offered for Two-wheeler and Car Insurance at surprisingly competitive prices and a hassle-free renewal/application process. Simply click on the link below, enter your registration details, select your preferences and browse through the most appropriate plans for your motor insurance needs.

Different ways on how to check your vehicle’s Chassis number:

Now the obvious question is how to check your vehicle’s Chassis number. You may be able to see the VIN number on the plates occupied to the chassis or the frame of the motor vehicle. A VIN is usually stamped on the chassis or can be seen on the vehicle compliance fixed plate or at the bottom angle of the windscreen. VIN or the Chassis number is also revealed in the receipt and the Registration Certificate of the motor vehicle. In case of any problems in tracing the VIN number, a vehicle expert mechanic will be able to find the same. You might ponder as to how to find chassis number from registration number In-Vehicle Identification Numbers or VIN. Well, the answer is very simple; the chassis number is defined as the last 6 digits and needless to say that it is important to find the VIN to know the chassis number. The VIN is placed differently in cars and motorcycles and hence tracing the VIN is dependent on the category of vehicle one has. An engine number is a specific number which is imprinted on the motor vehicle’s engine. 

Let’s have a look at the few common places to check your vehicle’s Chassis number.

  • From the documents related to a vehicle like registration card, insurance documents, reports of body repair, the title of the vehicle etc.
  • From the Dashboard -This is the simplest way to track the VIN is right on the down left corner of the dashboard. You should be in a position to read the VIN number by watching through the windshield which is on the driver’s side of the car
  • Door on the driver’s side- The VIN can also be sited in the driver’s side door. If you open the door on the driver’s side and look at the ends of the door jamb for a small white label, you will be able to see the VIN
  • Open the hood- You can just open the hood and have a look at the front of the engine to view the VIN number
  • Front Frame- VIN is also written in the front side of the motor vehicle’s frame near the windshield gasket fluid container
  • Spare Tyre-You may look in the area where the spare tyre is generally kept to see the VIN

Why is it important to check the VIN before purchasing or selling a car?

Let us now understand the reason as to why VIN check is important before purchasing or selling a car. Like it is important to check the date when we buy packaged food from any departmental store to ensure that it’s not very old and also to know till when we can use it with other important information as well. 

Likewise, a VIN is not just a casual grouping of several characters which gives details of the vehicle or used to check registration by chassis number in India but also acts as an evidence to any illegal or criminal records or any robbery cases of the vehicle together with all the details related to insurance of the vehicle. Vehicle history information guarantees the authenticities and realness of the vehicle. Within a few seconds one can know the microscopic details of the vehicle starting from the history of ownership till the last step. If you are interested in selling off the car, you can check whether all as stated in the VIN check report is reasonable or not. After the validation, if all is found, to be honest then you might move ahead and can use it to your benefit for selling the motor vehicle to the respective customer with genuineness and faith while selling the car.

Components of the 17 characters VIN Number

It is interesting to know about the components of VIN Number and also you must know about the same. As mentioned above, a Vehicle Identification Number has 17 characters. This prearrangement of numbers was initiated from the ISO Standard 3779 in the year 1977 and the same was updated in the year 1983. 

However, different vehicle manufacturers in different locations have different interpretations of the VIN, which are compatible with the ISO Standard ones and have been adopted by the United States of America and the European Union respectively. Hence the VIN of different places may have certain different attributes but the most common components have been listed in details below.

For example a sample Chassis Number is 

sample Chassis Number

It has the below following significant sections:

  1. World Manufacturer Identifier or WMI: The 1st 3 characters in VIN number are the symbols for the original country and the manufacturer.
    The first digit is where the vehicle was built and the next 2 letters denote the vehicle manufacturer. In the above example, ‘1’ denotes that the vehicle was built in the US and HG is a Honda Vehicle.

    So, if the chassis number was 2HG or 3HG then it would have denoted a Honda vehicle manufactured in Canada or Mexico.

    Thus, the first 3 alphanumeric characters are called the World Manufacturer Identifier to understand who had actually manufactured the vehicle and in which country it was originally manufactured. There is a complete list to identify the same.

    For example WAU= An Audi(AU) manufactured in Germany (W)

  2. Vehicle Description Section or VDS: The next alpha-numeric 6 characters in VIN number signify other significant details of a vehicle:
    • 4th character: The 4th character characterizes the class of the vehicle.
      Example Suzuki has the below codes to spot vehicle type like C for a scooter, G for manifold cylinder sports/street etc.
    • 5th character: The 5th character in the VIN number gives the engine movement. All manufacturers might have diverse codes to recognize the engine dislocation of the vehicle.
      Example Suzuki follows B means 50 CC to 69 CC, E means 90 CC to 99 CC etc.
    • 6th character: The 6th character signifies the type of the engine.
      Example Suzuki follows the various numerical codes signifying the type of the engine. Example 2 – 2 means stroke twin-engine, 4 – 4 means stroke single engine etc.
    • 7th Character: The 7th character in the Vehicle Identification Number displays the sequence of the design for any vehicle
    • 8th Character: The 8th character denotes the vehicle version
    • 9th Character: The 9th character is the VIN accurateness check digit
    • 10th character: A 10th character is a number that says the year of the vehicle manufacturer
    • 11th character: The 11th character in a VIN symbolizes the code of the plant where the motor vehicle was manufactured
  3. Vehicle’s Serial Number: The 12th to 17th characters in the VIN is the serial number allotted to a particular vehicle and that is usually numbers.

    It is definitely an added bonus for you to know about your VIN Chassis number. You can help your friends and relatives as well in finding the same if you know where to find. Though each vehicle has a different structure and hence the VIN Chassis number also varies from one vehicle to the other, however, some common places always remain the same in most of the vehicles.

FAQs

  1. Can you tell me whether VIN and chassis numbers are the same?

    A vehicle’s VIN number is at times called a chassis number. Vehicle Identification Number is usually stamped to the chassis of the vehicle and so it is fixed to that model.

  2. How can l find the engine number on my vehicle Nissan Legrand 2000?

    You can find the engine number on a Nissan Legrand under the hood right next to the wiper system’s pipes.

  3. How do I check my motorbike’s VIN?

    Your motorcycle’s Chassis number is embossed to the frame of your vehicle and is also available in the vehicle’s Registration Certificate. The Chassis number will have the following parts:

    • WMI or the World Manufacturer Identifier
    • VDS or the Vehicle Description Section
    • Other 9 characters which indicate the vehicle type, the displacement, type of engine, sequence of the design, version of the vehicle, manufacturing year, and the code of the plant
    • Vehicle’s serial number
  4. How can I have the manufacturing date from my vehicle’s VIN number?

    The VIN of your vehicle can only tell you in what is the sequence of your vehicle that was manufactured, and not the date when your vehicle was built.

  5. Will the VIN number tell you the options are there in your vehicle?

    The VIN does not state what the options are there in your vehicle which is outside of the size of the engine and other components. Other aspects like leather, stereos and sunroofs, are not shown by the VIN number on most of all vehicles.

IRDAI makes Insurance plans more customer friendly in times of crisis

The Coronavirus pandemic is the first of its kind to grip the whole world in its clutches. Besides causing medical complications and health issues, the pandemic has also caused financial problems for many. Loss of job, pay cuts, business interruption are some of the problems which people are facing in these trying times. At the same time, insurance policies have become the need of the hour for financial security. Thus, to make insurance plans more customer-friendly and easy to buy, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has made various changes in the insurance industry. These changes have been done to make insurance plans easily accessible and affordable for all. Let’s have a look at the top six changes brought about by IRDAI in current times –

Change #1 – Launch of COVID specific health plans

As the threat of COVID became a real concern, IRDAI proposed the launch of COVID specific health insurance policies which would cover COVID cases comprehensively. Though normal health plans covered COVID related hospitalisations, they excluded the cost of consumables which was considerable in COVID related claims. Thus, to provide individuals with an all-inclusive coverage against COVID, Corona Kavach and Corona Rakshak health insurance plans were launched. Both these plans are short term health plans covering only COVID related claims. Corona Kavach is an indemnity health plan which covers the actual costs of hospitalisation while Corona Rakshak is a fixed benefit plan which pays the sum insured in lump sum if you are hospitalised for COVID for 3 days or more. Both these plans meet the immediate coverage needs of individuals as they cover COVID after a short waiting period of 15 days. Moreover, there are no deductibles making these plans ideal tools to safeguard against the financial strain of Coronavirus infection.

Change #2 – Inclusion of telemedicine

As COVID required individuals to practice social distancing and to stay at home, doctor’s consultations went online. Telemedicine became popular which involved medical consultations on a virtual basis without the doctor and patient meeting physically. To make health insurance plans more comprehensive, IRDAI asked insurance companies to include coverage for Telemedicine if their plans allowed coverage for doctor’s consultations. Thus, health insurance plans have become more inclusive and have started covering the costs of Telemedicine.

For a detailed understanding please check out our youtube video below:

 

Change #3 – Online sales and KYC verification

To allow individuals to buy insurance in a safe manner even when the country was under lockdown, IRDAI promoted online sale of insurance plans. It has allowed insurance companies to sell their policies online so that policyholders can easily make purchases from their own homes. Moreover, the KYC verification process has also been made virtual wherein the KYC details are verified online either through a video call with the policyholder or by asking the policyholder to upload the KYC documents online. So, you can, now, buy insurance policies with a minimal fuss and also while practicing social distancing norms.

Also check out how digitization is making your life easy while buying insurance

 

Change #4 – Payment of health insurance premiums in instalments

To make health insurance plans affordable for policyholders, IRDAI has allowed the instalment payment mode. Now, you can pay health insurance premiums in instalments through the monthly, quarterly, half-yearly or annual mode rather than paying it in lump sum. This change is expected to make health plans affordable and popular among individuals.

IRDAI has also announced changes in the life & motor insurance category to make the buying process convenient and faster, these changes are listed below.

 

Change #5 – No need for physical signatures for life insurance plans

To ease the buying process of life insurance plans, IRDAI has done away with the need of physical signatures on the proposal forms. Now, you can fill up the proposal form and submit it online to buy a life insurance policy. The company would send the completed proposal form to your email wherein you can verify and declare the details of the form either by clicking on the confirmation link or by sharing the OTP sent by the company. Life insurance companies can then send you electronic policy document thereby overcoming the problem faced in printing and sending the policy bond during these times.

Change #6 – Withdrawal of long term motor insurance plans

To make motor insurance plans more affordable, IRDAI has withdrawn long term comprehensive motor insurance plans which had high premiums. Now, new cars and two-wheelers would have to buy a long term third party coverage while the own damage coverage would be on an annual basis. This would make motor insurance plans affordable and also prevent miss-selling in the insurance market.

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The IRDAI continuously makes changes in insurance plans so that they fulfil the changing need of policyholders. In these trying times when individuals are facing financial difficulties as well as restrictions on free movement, IRDAI has introduced the above-mentioned changes so that insurance plans can provide the solution to these challenges. With these changes effected by the IRDAI, insurance plans have become inclusive, more customer-friendly and even affordable. So, what are you waiting for? Invest in a suitable insurance plan and secure yourself financially in this crisis.