Bumper-to-bumper insurance must on new vehicles from September 1

Bumper-to-bumper insurance on vehicles for five years mandatory, rules Madras High Court

Starting September 1, 2021, every vehicle sold should come with ‘bumper-to-bumper insurance, the Madras High Court has ruled. The court added that insurance should be offered in addition to cover for the driver, passengers, and owner of the vehicle. The period of insurance has to be five years.

Justice S Vaidyanathan of Madras High Court also ruled that the vehicle owner should have everything ready to safeguard the interest of the driver, passengers, third parties, and himself/herself. This, according to a Live Mint report, is to do away with unnecessary liability imposed on the owner of the vehicle. As of now, there is no provision to extend the bumper-to-bumper policy beyond five years due to its non-availability.

The ruling came after the judge permitted a writ plea from the New India Assurance Company in Avalpoondurai, Tamil Nadu, challenging the orders dated December 7, 2019, of the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, Special District Court in Erode, the report added.

As per the insurance firm, the policy in question was only an “Act Policy” that covers only the risk likely to be encountered by a third party to the vehicle, but it had left out the occupants.

The New India Assurance Company stated that payment of additional premium by the car owner only ensured the coverage for an occupant of the vehicle. 

The new order by the Madras High Court is expected to go the aid of lots of accident victims in the future. According to the judge, buyers do not take time to thoroughly understand the terms and conditions of the policy, as they are more concerned about the vehicle’s performance and not about the policy. 

It is a matter of wonder that the buyers are ready to spend vast amounts of money to buy a vehicle of choice, but they do not think of spending a comparatively small amount to take a policy that would safeguard them and others, the judge noted.