Insurers can sell Motor third-party insurance cover online

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India, has directed all general insurers to sell third-party cover online along with other regular channels. “Insurers shall also liaise with the police authorities to facilitate issue/renewal of third-party liability policy to owners of the vehicles,’’ it said in the circular. The insurers should also ensure easy availability of Motor TP insurance and in no case can a request for it be denied, it added. The instructions have been issued in the wake a direction by the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety to the states and Union Territories to periodically carry out checks to see if vehicle-owners have TP insurance cover. In case of absence of the policy, police can detain the vehicle till such time the valid Third Party insurance certificate is produced by the vehicle owner. Several states reported back saying that insurers have a cumbersome process that involves inspection of the vehicle concerned and vehicle owners have complained that it was not an easy process to obtain insurance.