What to Do If a Motorcycle's Insurance Has Lapsed for One Year?
2 Answers
If a motorcycle's insurance has lapsed for one year, it is necessary to purchase insurance immediately. Below is relevant information about motorcycle insurance: 1. Discounts: As long as the insurance has not been expired for more than three months, you can still enjoy discounts. However, according to China's traffic laws, if you are caught by traffic police without compulsory traffic insurance, you will be fined double the premium, required to pay the compulsory insurance, and have your vehicle impounded. 2. Liability: Since motorcycle compulsory insurance is a mandatory liability insurance where the insurance company compensates for personal injuries, deaths, or property losses (excluding the vehicle's occupants and the insured) caused by the insured motorcycle in a road traffic accident within the liability limits. Therefore, if the motorcycle compulsory insurance expires and is not renewed, the owner may face substantial compensation in the event of an accident.
I have a deep personal experience with my motorcycle being out of insurance for a year. Initially, it was just negligence—I forgot to renew the policy. Later, I realized the premium had increased significantly, and I deeply regretted it. The first step is to immediately contact the insurance company or an agent. They usually ask you to fill out an application form, which may require providing your riding license and the vehicle frame number. If you delay, the worst-case scenario is being stopped by traffic police while riding, resulting in fines and penalty points, or even affecting your annual inspection in severe cases. I remember when I renewed my insurance last time, I was advised to compare prices on online platforms and choose lower-cost options—every bit of savings counts. Safety-wise, riding without insurance is extremely risky. In case of an accident, you could end up paying hefty compensation, and your personal safety isn’t guaranteed. Don’t wait—the sooner you act, the lower the risk. After all, the renewal process usually only takes a few days to complete.