Govt proposes hike in 3rd-party motor insurance premium from next fiscal

New Delhi: The Union Road Transport Ministry has proposed an increase in the third-party motor insurance premium for various categories of vehicles, which is likely to jack up the insurance cost of car and two-wheelers from April 1.

According to the proposed revised rates, private cars with 1,000 cubic capacity (cc) will attract rates of Rs 2,094 compared to Rs 2,072 in 2019-20.

Similarly, private cars with 1,000 cc to 1,500cc will attract rates of Rs 3,416 compared to Rs 3,221, while owners of cars above 1,500cc will see a premium of Rs 7,897 compared to Rs 7,890.

Two-wheelers over 150cc but not exceeding 350cc will attract a premium of Rs 1,366 and for two-wheelers over 350 cc the revised premium will be Rs 2,804.

After two years moratorium due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the revised TP insurance premium will come into effect from April 1.

Earlier, TP rates were notified by the insurance regulator IRDAI. This is also for the first time that the road transport ministry will notify the TP rates in consultation with the insurance regulator.

According to the draft notification, a discount of 15 percent is proposed for electric private cars, electric two-wheelers, electric goods-carrying commercial vehicles, and electric passenger-carrying vehicles.

A discount of 7.5 percent on Motor TP premium rates for hybrid electric vehicles is proposed, the draft notification said, adding that this will be an incentive to use environment-friendly vehicles.

While electric private cars (not exceeding 30KW) will attract a premium of Rs 1,780, for electric private cars (exceeding 30 KW but not exceeding 65 KW) premium will be Rs 2,904.

The premium for goods carrying commercial vehicles (exceeding 12,000 kg but not exceeding 20,000 kg) would increase to Rs 35,313 from Rs 33,414 in 2019-20.

Similarly, in the case of goods carrying commercial vehicles ( exceeding 40,000 kg), the premium will increase to Rs 44,242 compared to Rs 41,561 in 2019-20.

The third-party insurance cover is for other than own damage and is mandatory along with the own damage cover that a vehicle owner has to purchase.

This insurance cover is for any collateral damage to a third party, generally, a human being caused due to a road accident.

The ministry has invited suggestions on the draft notification by March-end.