Getting onto your motorcycle or car, driving off the lot, or lending it to your friend, all these take one presumption: that your vehicle is insured. Driving without insurance can get you in serious legal trouble or burden you with huge penalties.
Fortunately, you can find out if a vehicle is insured by simply entering its registration number (“vehicle number”) in most locations across India. So, worry not, as this guide explains all the details of how to check insurance by vehicle number, including available tools, limitations, and best practices.
Table of Contents
Why is Verifying Vehicle Insurance Important?
Before we move into the methods of checking, let us discuss why it is important to check the insurance status of a vehicle:
Adhering to the Law
Third-party motor insurance is mandatory in India, according to the Motor Vehicles Act. Non-compliance with this regulation is a punishable offence and can get you into trouble with the law.
Avoiding Penalties and Fines
Traffic police can check the insurance status during enforcement stops. If the insurance has expired, you may be fined, leading to unexpected heavy costs.
Financial Protection
In cases of accidents, a valid vehicle insurance plan guarantees that payments and claims (third-party damage or own damage if covered) will be made.
Peace of Mind & Risk Management
Proper insurance guarantees that there will be no unpleasant surprises, especially when driving someone else’s vehicle or after buying a second-hand vehicle.
Selling or Purchasing Automobiles
When buying a used vehicle, it’s wise to check if it has a valid insurance history, while as a seller, you may need to provide proof of the vehicle’s insurance records.
Avoiding Loss of Benefits
By renewing your vehicle insurance on time, you continue getting the “No Claim Bonus” (NCB), which enables you to get lower premiums.
What Data is Needed to Check Vehicle Insurance?
When verifying insurance by vehicle number, the information used normally consists of:
- Vehicle number plate (vehicle registration), which has to be correctly entered (state code, regional code, series, numeric component).
- Chassis number/engine number in certain cases where the vehicle is newly purchased and insurance information has yet to be obtained, or in Insurance Information Bureau of India (IIB) verifications.
- Owner name, phone, and email are required in certain systems, such as IIB. You must input these to validate identity or to get results.
- Captcha/verification code, to avoid bots/spam.
- Accident date and place are occasionally needed if you are checking insurance details after an accident (particularly in IIB portals).
The vehicle insurance details that you get are:
- Policy issue date & expiry date.
- Insurance provider/company name.
- Policy type (e.g., third-party, comprehensive).
- Whether the policy is active or expired.
- Validity of registration, fitness certificate, etc., in certain cases.
It is to be noted that in most systems (especially IIB), only effective data at a specific date and time is available (e.g., as of April 1, 2010) because before that, electronic records are limited.
Online Methods to Check Insurance by Vehicle Number
Here are the primary online methods of checking a vehicle’s insurance with its registration number, each described with an easy step-by-step guide:
VAHAN / Parivahan (national web portal)
The government’s official vehicle database (VAHAN / Parivahan) displays vehicle registration information and insurance status after it has been uploaded by insurers/RTOs.
Step-by-step Process
Step 1: Open the VAHAN / Parivahan website.
Step 2: Select “Know Your Vehicle Details” or “Search Vehicle” (usually under Informational Services/Citizen Services).
Step 3: Type in the vehicle registration number precisely (state code + RTO + series + number).
Step 4: Enter the captcha or verification question and click Search / Submit.
Step 5: Review the vehicle record; it will typically show owner (partly hidden), registration date, vehicle make/model, insurer name, and policy expiry date.
mParivahan (mobile app)
The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways official mobile application provides easy on-the-go access to vehicle/RC/insurance details and digital RC. mParivahan digital documents are accepted by the authorities.
Step-by-step Process
Step 1: Download mParivahan from App Store/Play Store.
Step 2: Open the app, choose a language, and click continue.
Step 3: Use the RC / Vehicle search feature and insert the registration number.
Step 4: You may be prompted to log in or authenticate your mobile number.
Step 5: Tap Search, then the app will display details of a vehicle, such as insurance renewal (if insurer/RTO details have been uploaded). You can even save the e-RC in the app for future use.
Since mParivahan and DigiLocker e-documents are now being accepted by states as valid documents, you can show them on your mobile at the time of checks.
Insurance Information Bureau (IIB): “V-Seva” / Vehicle Insurance Status Search
IIB (promoted by IRDAI) operates a central database and a public Vehicle Insurance Status Search (V-Seva), which can provide insurer & policy details for a registration number they hold in their repository.
Step-by-step Process
Step 1: Visit the IIB website (or the IIB quick-link named V-Seva on IRDAI/IIB websites).
Step 2: Click V-Seva / Vehicle Insurance Status Search.
Step 3: Fill in the required fields such as vehicle registration number, owner’s name, mobile number/email, and address (forms vary slightly). Complete the captcha.
Step 4: Submit the query. If the vehicle is in IIB’s database, you’ll see insurer name, policy number, and validity dates (or be advised if no record exists).
The IIB repository has electronic records received from insurers since 1st April 2010. Also, new policies may take time to get uploaded to the repository, sometimes taking up to a few days to weeks.
If nothing is found by searching on IIB, try VAHAN, your insurer, or visit the RTO.
State / Local RTO (Regional Transport Office) Portals
Many of the states’ transport departments have “Know Your Vehicle” or “Vehicle Related Services” pages where registration and some compliance information (including insurance) is shown.
Step-by-step Process
Step 1: Open your state’s transport / RTO portal. Search “[Your State] RTO vehicle details” or browse through Parivahan, then select your state.
Step 2: Go to “Vehicle-related services” or “Know your vehicle details”.
Step 3: Enter registration number (and sometimes chassis/engine number) and captcha.
Step 4: Click Search, cross-check the resulting data for insurance status and other compliances (PUC, fitness, tax, etc.).
RTO records are generated/updated from the inputs that insurers provide. If the insurer has not provided digital policy data, the RTO page might not display it. In that case, approach the insurer or the RTO to manually check.
Insurance Company Website or Mobile App
If you know which insurer has covered the vehicle, proceed directly to the website/app of said insurer, since most of them typically allow you to verify the policy status by the policy number, registered mobile number, or vehicle registration.
Step-by-step Process
Step 1: Open the official website or app of the insurer (e.g., Tata AIG, SBI General, Reliance General, etc.).
Step 2: Search for Policy / Customer Login, Check Policy Status, or Download e-policy options.
Step 3: Log in or enter policy number, vehicle number, mobile number, or email.
Step 4: See policy details, expiry date, policy type, and download the e-policy. If you do not know the insurer’s name, then first identify the insurer using IIB / VAHAN.
If you’ve just renewed and your insurer’s site shows nothing, ask the insurer for an e-policy PDF or policy confirmation SMS. Keep that copy when waiting for the central portals to update.
Alternative Methods to Check Insurance by Vehicle Number
If online options are not feasible, there are alternative ways to verify insurance status:
Check Your Hard Copy Insurance Policy Document
The hard copy or PDF of your policy explicitly states start / expiry date, insurer, policy number, etc.
Call or Visit the Insurer/Agent
Call or visit the branch office of the insurer or your agent, provide the registration number and your identity details, and they can verify it in their records.
Check the Regional Transport Office (RTO)
The RTO / DTO where the vehicle is registered maintains vehicle registration records and could possibly maintain insurance records too, if insurers give them data. You could be required to fill out forms or give identity/address proof.
Check Receipts / Previous Renewal Reminders
Check all the notices, SMS, emails, or earlier reminders indicating policy expiry and cover that you might have received occasionally.
What Insurance Details You’ll See & How to Interpret Them?
Here are the details you will find when checking your vehicle insurance validity:
| Field | What it Typically Shows | What to Look Out for |
| Vehicle Registration Number | Confirms correct vehicle | Mistyped number -> wrong vehicle -> data wrong or not found |
| Owner’s Name & Address | Legally registered owner | Partial masking sometimes; ensure this matches RC or owner documents |
| Insurance Provider / Company Name | The company providing insurance coverage | Helps when dealing with claims or renewals |
| Policy Start Date and Expiry Date | Validity period of the insurance coverage | Very important; if expired, renew immediately |
| Type of Insurance | Third-party, comprehensive, commercial, personal | Comprehensive covers more; third-party is the minimum required legally |
| Chassis / Engine Number | Vehicle IDs; more unique identifiers | Especially useful if registration or insurance data is fresh or incomplete |
| Registration Validity, Fitness, PUC, etc. | Other compliance status of the vehicle | Not always included, but helpful to see the overall legal status |
| Any Pending Violations or History (if applicable) | Sometimes shows outstanding issues or records | Useful especially for used car buyers |
Limitations & Potential Errors of Checking Insurance by Vehicle Number
Though insurance verification by vehicle number is highly reliable, there are likely gaps/limitations you need to know about:
Delays in Data Update
When you purchase a new policy or renew an existing policy, the company takes time (a few days to weeks) to update or report it in VAHAN or IIB. Till then, the portal would display the old status.
Policies Issued Before a Certain Cut-off Date
For instance, IIB tends to have recent data from 1st Apr 2010 onwards, hence older policies will likely be unavailable online.
New Vehicles
Registration may be completed, but the insurance can take a while longer to show in electronic records. In the same vein, insurers might just give the chassis/engine number initially.
Misentered Registration Numbers
Spacing, capitalisation, and special characters will result in “no record found.” Always verify the exact format.
Privacy / Masked Data
Owner details are partially masked. Not all portals display full personal information for privacy purposes.
Multiple Insurers, but One Record
If a vehicle changed insurers, old information may persist, or the new insurer information hasn’t yet been refreshed.
Limited to Specific Geographies/States
A few states might be behind in digital adoption, and RTOs or portals might not possess uniform data.
Tips for Vehicle Owners When Checking Insurance Validity
Here are tips that will help ensure hassle-free checking and insurance maintenance:
Keep the Registration Number Accurate
Always note down your complete registration number accurately (including RTO code, series) so you do not provide incorrect information.
Keep Contact Details up to Date
Keep your mobile number, email, and address updated with the insurer and RTO, since several alerts or verifications require these details.
Maintain a Soft Copy of Insurance & RC
Platforms like mParivahan store data online to keep you secure in case a physical copy is lost.
Take the Help of Reminders
Set calendar reminders, or allow the insurer or portals to provide a reminder for expiry. Don’t wait till the last moment.
Regular Checks, Not at Renewal Only
Sometimes you may assume insurance is valid, but the data hasn’t been updated. Checking intermittently reduces risks.
When Purchasing a Second-hand Vehicle
Always verify insurance status through VAHAN / IIB / documents from the seller to confirm continuity or know previous coverage.
When the Policy was Bought Recently
If you have recently purchased or renewed the policy, but the portal reflects old or no insurance, try again after a few days/weeks and reverify. If there is no data update, inform the insurer or RTO to ascertain the submission.
Summary
Given the availability of digital platforms, checking vehicle insurance validity using a vehicle registration number is fast, safe and convenient. By means of websites such as VAHAN, mParivahan, IIB, the RTO portals, or your insurer app, you can easily adhere to legal compliance and access insurance data whenever needed.
There may be delays in updating the latest data on digital insurance portals. Thus, knowing about these gaps, coupled with best practices, guarantees that you are never caught unaware.
FAQs About How to Check Insurance by Vehicle Number
Q. Can you verify another person’s vehicle insurance status by number?
Yes, if you know the registration number and the vehicle is in public databases (VAHAN, IIB, etc.), then you may verify. But you may not get all personal information due to privacy limits.
Q. How many days after purchasing insurance will it be updated in the databases?
In some cases, the details are updated instantly, but more often, in a few days to a couple of weeks for the insurers to input data and for it to appear.
Q. Does insurance by vehicle number check show policy type as well?
Generally, yes, as long as information is provided accurately by the insurer. Platforms like VAHAN, IIB, etc., mainly display the insurer name and validity. Policy type can also be displayed in certain cases.
Q. Is proof of e-insurance acceptable to traffic authorities in India?
Yes, in India, a soft copy (e.g., PDF or photo) of an insurance policy and electronic RC / compliance certificates (e.g., in the mParivahan app) will usually be accepted. But a verified copy (paper or electronic) of the insurance document is a safer option to carry.
