MAM
Modified Your Bike? Here’s How It Can Affect Your Insurance Claim
Customising your bike can be fun. A new exhaust, wider tyres, or a sharper look can make it feel truly yours. But for many riders, the excitement fades the moment they file an insurance claim after an accident, as it gets rejected. That shock usually comes down to one reason: the bike was modified.
If you have already modified your two-wheeler or are thinking about making changes, it helps to understand how bike insurance looks at these upgrades.
What Counts As a Bike Modification?
A bike modification is any change made to the bike after it leaves the factory. It does not have to be a big upgrade; even minor or cosmetic changes can be treated as modifications.
The following are some common examples:
● Aftermarket exhausts or silencers.
● Engine tuning or performance upgrades.
● Different tyre sizes or non-standard alloy wheels.
● Changes to the frame or body.
● Extra lights, horns, or electrical fittings.
● Cosmetic changes that affect the bike’s structure
Even if the bike feels better to ride or looks cleaner after a change, it may still affect how your insurance works.
Why Modifications Concern Insurers
When you buy bike insurance, the cover is based on the bike’s original design and make, like how the bike performs, how safe it is, and how much risk it carries.
Once you modify the bike, that picture changes. Handling may be different, braking behaviour may change and repair costs can increase. In some cases, the bike may no longer meet legal standards.
From an insurer’s point of view, undeclared modifications create problems such as:
● Risk that is higher or unclear.
● Difficulty in linking damage to standard parts.
● A possible violation of policy conditions.
This is why insurers expect full and accurate details about the bike when issuing or renewing a policy.
Common Reasons Claims Get Rejected For Modified Bikes
Here is why claims may be rejected:
● You did not inform the insurer
If you modify your bike without telling the insurer, it is treated as missing or hidden information. During inspection, these changes are usually noticed. This can lead to a reduced settlement or a complete rejection.
● The modification contributed to the accident
If the accident is linked to a modification, the claim may not be paid. For example, oversized tyres can affect balance and engine tuning can affect braking response. If the modification led or had a role in the accident, the insurer may not entertain the claim.
● The modification is illegal
Some changes are not approved under the Indian motor vehicle rules. For example, you added loud exhausts beyond permitted noise limits and if claims involve these illegal changes, they are generally rejected.
Does Comprehensive Bike Insurance Cover Modified Bikes?
Comprehensive bike insurance offers broader protection. It usually covers damage to your bike due to accidents, theft, fire, or natural events, as well as damage to a third-party property or vehicle. However, it does not automatically cover every modification.
Coverage depends on:
● Whether the modification is legal.
● Whether you declared it.
● The modification is officially recorded in your policy.
If the insurer knows about the modification, approves it and adds it to your policy, it can be covered. However, if the change is not reported or concealed, it may not be covered.
What to Keep in Mind Before You Modify Your Bike
Insurance policies are built around factory-approved designs and legal standards. Any change that alters the original setup should be shared with the insurer, as this helps avoid conflict and delays during claims.
If you are planning upgrades to your two-wheeler, talking to the insurer or learning about what will be covered and what will not helps.
Conclusion
Bike modifications can improve looks or performance, but they also bring insurance risks. Most claims are rejected not because a bike was modified, but because the changes were not disclosed or were not legal.
Before customising your bike, take a moment to see how it affects your bike insurance. That one step can save you from a rejected claim when you need financial support the most.
Brands
Malaika Arora launches Maejoy accessories brand with Myntra partnership
New label debuts with 250 plus handbags and lab grown diamond jewellery.
MUMBAI: When style meets sparkle, a new brand is ready to take centre stage. Actor and entrepreneur Malaika Arora has launched a lifestyle accessories label called Maejoy, developed in collaboration with Exceed Entertainment and Myntra Jabong India Private Limited (MJIPL), the B2B wholesale arm of Myntra. The brand enters the market with a debut collection of more than 250 styles spanning handbags and lab grown diamond jewellery, two categories that continue to define everyday personal style for modern consumers.
The handbag lineup includes crossbody bags, structured shoulder bags, bucket bags, totes, backpacks, clutches and workwear inspired designs. The pieces are crafted using materials such as synthetic leather, raffia, braids, satin, rhinestones and metallic finishes.
Alongside the bags, Maejoy has introduced a jewellery range featuring lab grown diamond rings, earrings, pendants, bracelets and tennis bracelets. The pieces are set in 925 sterling silver bases with gold, silver and rose gold tones, and include diamonds certified by IGI and GCI.
Positioned as a premium yet accessible accessories label, Maejoy is built around the philosophy “The Joy of Being Me”, aiming to blend aspirational fashion with everyday usability. The brand’s positioning centres on three pillars: authenticity, empowerment and accessibility.
Arora described the venture as a natural extension of her long association with fashion and personal style.
“Maejoy is a labour of love. Throughout my career, whether on screen, in business or through personal style, I have always believed fashion should feel empowering yet effortless. The Joy of Being Me celebrates individuality while making global fashion trends more accessible,” she said.
MJIPL, CXO and head of house of brands Suman Saha said the brand brings together Arora’s style perspective with a strong opportunity in the accessible premium accessories segment.
“Maejoy combines Malaika Arora’s distinctive style sensibility with fashion forward designs that we believe will resonate strongly with consumers looking for elevated yet wearable accessories,” he said.
Exceed Entertainment CEO Afsar Zaidi added that building celebrity led brands requires balancing authenticity with market viability.
“Malaika commands respect both as a fashion icon and a businesswoman. Bringing her creative vision together with Myntra’s brand building expertise creates a strong foundation for Maejoy,” he said.
The collection is available exclusively on Myntra through its website and mobile app, making the brand accessible to millions of shoppers across India as it steps into the competitive lifestyle accessories space.
