Motor Car Insurance: When the Policyholder Dies?

by Ronel Forbes

January 26, 2022

In the Philippines, two-wheelers (motorcycles, scooters, and mopeds) are required by law to have motor insurance coverage. The Comprehensive Two-Wheeler Insurance Policy provides comprehensive coverage, including Third-Party and Own Damage coverage.

One thing to keep in mind is that the insurance coverage covers the asset, the two-wheeler. As a result, the answer to the question of what happens to a two-wheeler insurance policy after the policyholder dies is dependent on the two-wheeler itself.

The policyholder’s death is a devastating occurrence for the policyholder’s family because life is uncertain. It takes time to emotionally recover after a loss. After you’ve mentally healed from the loss, you’ll need to deal with some important paperwork, like bike insurance.

Read on to learn about the procedure for a bike insurance coverage in the event of the policyholder’s unexpected death.

What Happens to a Bike Insurance Policy After the Policyholder Passes Away?

The ownership of the two-wheeler is transferred to the policyholder’s lawful heir in the event of death. As a result, if the two-wheeler insurance coverage is still active, it must also be moved to the same person’s (legal successor) name.

If the bike insurance policy has expired, the legal heir can either renew it or acquire a new Third Party Bike Insurance or Comprehensive Bike Insurance Policy in their name.

To transfer a bike insurance coverage, one must complete a few steps and provide the necessary documentation. More importantly, the legal heir must notify MGS as soon as possible following the policyholder’s death of the transfer of the bike insurance policy.

Entities Involved in Two-Wheeler Insurance Transfer After Policyholder’s Death

MGS (Insurance Agency)

The policyholder’s death must be reported to MGS as soon as possible. It will assist MGS in modifying policy details and other associated information, as well as issuing a new policy document to the legal successor upon the policy’s transfer.

Legal Heir/Nominee

If the policyholder named a nominee while acquiring the policy, MGS (insurer) can transfer the policy directly to that person’s name. The policyholder’s legal heir can carry out the policy transfer procedure if no nominee is named in the policy.

After a policyholder’s death, there is a natural succession for two-wheeler insurance transfers

In the event of a policyholder’s death, there are often two natural succession situations. The specifics are listed below.

Spouse of the Policyholder Who Has Passed Away

In the event of the spouse’s death, the partner may become the legal heir. The policy can be transferred to their name as a result of natural succession.

The policyholder will almost always name their spouse as the nominee in the policy document. When the nominee and legal heir are the same person, the policy transfer process is simplified. If the policyholder is no longer alive, you can check the nominee data by contacting MGS.

Child of the Deceased Policyholder

If the dead policyholder was a single parent, the two-wheeler insurance might be passed to the child. If a policyholder has more than one child, the legal heir can be chosen by due process. The transfer process is made easier if the child’s name is specified as the nominee in the insurance paperwork.

If the policyholder is not married, the policy can be transferred to a designated nominee or legal heir.

After the death of the policyholder, a document is required for the transfer of two-wheeler insurance.

To transfer the two-wheeler insurance to their name, the legal successor of the dead policyholder must submit the following documents.

Registration Certificate
Death Certificate of the policyholder
Two-wheeler insurance policy document
Succession Certificate
Marriage Certificate (If the spouse is the legal heir)
An affidavit attested by a Notary stating the bike insurance can be transferred to the legal heir’s name

Points to Consider When Transferring Two-Wheeler Insurance After the Death of the Policyholder

There are a few important considerations to make before beginning the two-wheeler insurance transfer process. The following are the most important items to remember while transferring bike insurance.

Determine the legal heir of the deceased policyholder without conflict.
Contact MGS (insurance agency) for the change of name in the policy document at the earliest.
Compile all the required documents
Do not ride the two-wheeler if the bike insurance policy has lapsed.
Take help from a professional lawyer (If required).

If you have all of the necessary documentation, transferring a bike insurance coverage is an easy process. All relevant processes for policy transfer should be completed as quickly as feasible by the nominee or legal heir of the deceased policyholder.

Finally, avoid riding your two-wheeler before transferring your insurance to prevent any penalties.

Conclusion

A family’s death is incomprehensible, and everyone has the right to grieve. As soon as the legal heir of the deceased individual feels ready, he or she should fulfill all formalities of the latter’s vehicle insurance policy.

The insurance transfer procedure is straightforward. To avoid any problems, make sure you don’t use the vehicle until the insurance has been transferred.