📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Subhashish Panigrahi
Automobile
Supreme Court Says Mandatory Motor Insurance Not Required, 56% of Vehicles Uninsured
✍️ The Indian Express
🗓 06 Aug 2026, 10:18 AM
👁 13
The Supreme Court ruled that mandatory motor insurance is not compulsory for all vehicles, highlighting that nearly 56% of Indian cars and two‑wheelers remain uninsured.
The Supreme Court of India has clarified that mandatory motor insurance is not a compulsory requirement for all vehicles. In a recent judgment, the Court emphasized that the existing statutory framework does not mandate insurance coverage for every motor vehicle.
According to the Court, approximately 56% of vehicles on Indian roads are currently uninsured, a figure that underscores the widespread lack of coverage among private cars and two‑wheelers.
The ruling is expected to influence how insurance regulators and policymakers approach vehicle coverage, potentially prompting a review of enforcement mechanisms and public awareness campaigns.
While the decision does not eliminate the need for insurance, it signals that the state will not impose a blanket mandate, leaving the choice of coverage to vehicle owners and insurers.
According to the Court, approximately 56% of vehicles on Indian roads are currently uninsured, a figure that underscores the widespread lack of coverage among private cars and two‑wheelers.
The ruling is expected to influence how insurance regulators and policymakers approach vehicle coverage, potentially prompting a review of enforcement mechanisms and public awareness campaigns.
While the decision does not eliminate the need for insurance, it signals that the state will not impose a blanket mandate, leaving the choice of coverage to vehicle owners and insurers.