If you have a car, you must already know how important it is to have car insurance. In India, it’s not just helpful — it’s mandatory by law. But sometimes, we forget our insurance details, misplace the policy papers, or don’t know if the insurance is still active.
Don’t worry! Checking your car insurance status is very easy. You can do it online in just a few minutes using your car number, insurance company website, or government portals.
Why Checking Car Insurance Is Important
Before we learn how to check, let’s understand why you should check your car insurance regularly.
a) To know if it’s active or expired
Sometimes, your car insurance may have already expired, and you don’t even know it. If you drive without valid insurance, you can get a fine or even face legal trouble.
b) To renew it on time
Checking your insurance helps you remember when to renew it. Renewing on time saves you from paying extra charges or getting a higher premium.
c) To get insurance details
If you lost your policy paper, you can still find all your details online — like policy number, insurer name, start and expiry date.
d) To check claim history
If you are buying a used car, you can check whether the car has any past accident claims or not. It helps you make a safe decision.
How to Check Car Insurance Online Using Your Vehicle Number
The easiest way to check your car insurance is by using your vehicle registration number. You can do this through the official VAHAN website managed by the Government of India.
Steps to Check on VAHAN:
- Visit the official website: https://vahan.parivahan.gov.in/
- Click on “Know your vehicle details” option.
- Enter your vehicle registration number (for example, MH01AB1234).
- Enter the captcha code and click on “Search Vehicle”.
Now, you’ll see all your car details — including insurance company name, policy number, and insurance expiry date.
Note: VAHAN data is updated by insurance companies regularly, so it’s reliable.
Check Car Insurance on Insurance Company Website
If you already know which company your car is insured with (for example, ICICI Lombard, HDFC ERGO, SBI General, Bajaj Allianz, etc.), you can directly visit their website.
Steps:
- Go to your insurance company’s official website.
- Look for an option like “Track Policy,” “Check Policy Status,” or “Renew Policy.”
- Enter your policy number, vehicle number, or mobile number.
- Click Submit or Search.
You’ll see your policy details, expiry date, and coverage type instantly.
Example:
If your insurance is with ICICI Lombard, go to www.icicilombard.com
→ Click on “Track Your Policy” → Enter your details → Check your status.
Check Car Insurance Through mParivahan App
The mParivahan app is a government mobile app that shows vehicle and insurance details easily on your phone.
How to Use mParivahan App:
- Download the mParivahan app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- Open the app and click on “RC” (Registration Certificate).
- Enter your vehicle number.
- The app will show your car details along with insurance validity and policy provider.
This app is handy when you are on the road or need to show insurance proof during checking.
Check Car Insurance Using IIB Website (Insurance Information Bureau)
The IIB (Insurance Information Bureau of India) keeps a record of all motor insurance policies. You can check your car insurance there if you lost your policy or don’t remember which company it was with.
Steps to Check on IIB:
- Visit the website: https://iib.gov.in
- Click on “V-Seva” or “Know Your Motor Insurance Details.”
- Fill in details like:
- Vehicle registration number (without special characters)
- Mobile number
- Email ID
- Captcha code
- Click on “Submit.”
If your insurance record is available, it will show you details like insurer name, policy number, and expiry date.
Check Insurance by Calling Your Insurance Agent or Customer Care
If you’re not comfortable checking online, you can always call your insurance agent or customer care number of the insurance company.
Give them your vehicle number or registered mobile number, and they will tell you your policy status and expiry date.
Example:
If your policy is from HDFC ERGO, you can call their helpline number 022-6234-6234 and ask for your policy details.
How to Check Car Insurance for a Used Car
If you are buying a second-hand car, checking its insurance status is very important.
You can do this using:
- The VAHAN portal, or
- The IIB website, or
- The mParivahan app
Just enter the vehicle registration number, and you’ll get details about whether the insurance is active, who the insurer is, and the expiry date.
This will help you ensure that the seller is genuine and the car is legally insured.
What Details You Get When You Check Car Insurance
When you check your car insurance, you’ll usually see:
- Insurance company name
- Policy number
- Policy start date
- Expiry date
- Type of policy (third-party or comprehensive)
- Vehicle details
- Owner name
These details help you keep track of your insurance easily.
How to Renew Car Insurance After Checking
If you find your policy has expired, don’t worry. You can renew it online in a few minutes.
Steps to Renew:
- Visit your insurance company website.
- Click on “Renew Car Insurance.”
- Enter your vehicle registration number and old policy number.
- Choose the coverage type — third-party or comprehensive.
- Make the payment online.
You’ll get your renewed policy instantly on your email or WhatsApp.
Final Words
Checking your car insurance online is very easy and takes less than 5 minutes. Whether you do it through VAHAN, mParivahan, your insurance company’s website, or the IIB portal, you can get all details quickly.
Make it a habit to check your insurance every few months, especially before long trips or policy renewal dates. Keeping your insurance active protects you from fines, accidents, and financial loss.
So, next time you wonder, “Is my car insurance active?” — just open your phone, visit one of these portals, and check it yourself in minutes!
