Traffic fines are more than just penalties for breaking the rules. They can have a lasting impact on your vehicle-related expenses, including insurance premiums. Issued challans and piled-up fines can make the customer appear high-risk to insurers.
The growth of the e-challan system, especially in states like Telangana, has made it easier than ever to check and clear an ap e challan online.
Verifying your challans regularly helps keep your driving records clear and reports any faulty challans issued in your name. Read more to know how your driving records affect the insurance premiums.
4 Ways You Can Verify Your Traffic E-Challans
Any state like Telangana that is fully integrated with the e-challan system allows people to view their e challan telangana status anytime they want. Verifying your challan records helps to assess your liabilities. It also helps to identify faulty e-challans and report them as soon as possible.
Here are a few ways you can verify your traffic e-challans.
#1. Parivahan Portal.
The Privahan portal is the unified government portal that allows people across India to view and pay traffic challans online.
- Step 1: Search for “parivahan e-challan payment” on a search engine.
- Step 2: Click on the website called “Challan Details”
- Step 3: You can check your e-challan details by entering your vehicle’s registration number, DL Number, or challan number.
- Step 4: Enter the captcha to view your vehicle’s challan details.
#2. State Government Traffic Police Website.
Many states, like West Bengal, have their own traffic police websites that offer e-challan check and payment services similar to those on the Parivahan Portal. Most state websites either redirect you to the Parivahan portal or use their own system.
#3. Different Websites.
Many companies, such as ACKO, offer an easy platform for people to check their e-challan status as part of their services. You can use their user-friendly interface to verify your e-challans and complete the payment whenever you need.
#4. Bank Apps.
Selective banks allow their customers to check e-challan status and pay pending challans. You can get this service in the Bank’s app. Confer with your bank to see whether they provide this service.
How Pending Challans Affect Your Vehicle’s Insurance Price?
Insurers use people’s personal driving records to assess their individual risks. Let’s learn about the effect this can have on your premiums.
Higher Risk Assessment
With the new e-challan system, it is most likely that you can get a challan issued every time you commit a traffic violation. Violating traffic laws increases the risk of accidents, and hence, your insurer might consider you a risky driver.
Higher Premiums
At the time of renewal, your insurer assesses your driving records, including pending and unpaid e-challans. Having multiple e-challans can directly increase the risk perception and escalate your premiums.
Unpaid challans can also make you appear irresponsible, which can further increase your premiums.
Potential For Stricter Terms
If you have a long history of violations and e-challans, insurers may offer limited coverage with higher deductibles or refuse to issue you an insurance policy.
How Do Insurance Companies Know About Their Customers’ Pending Challans?
Insurance companies in India extract information about customers’ pending challans by accessing centralised government databases, such as the Parivahan Sewa, VAHAN, and SARATHI. The insurer requests access to the customer’s motor vehicle record (MVR) from these databases.
However, the e-challan system will soon have a single nationwide database of all riders/drivers in India under the “One Nation One Challan (ONOC)” Program. This allows insurers to access driving records for all vehicles in India on a single platform, regardless of state.
Potential Consequences of Pending Challans Beyond Higher Insurance Premiums
Having pending challans can have multiple consequences beyond a hike in insurance prices. Here are the things that can happen.
License Suspension/Cancellation
As per a recent addition in the law, drivers who fail to pay their traffic e-challans within 90 days (3 Months) of issuance may face suspension of their driving licences.
Moreover, people who commit 3 violations, like jumping red lights or dangerous driving, can have their license confiscated for at least 3 Months.
Legal Action
The One Nation One Challan Program (ONOC) introduces virtual courts. States like Gujarat have already integrated virtual courts into their system.
People with pending challans for 30 to 90 days (varies as per type of e-challan) across various states will have to appear in the virtual court to settle their cases.
Issues During the Transfer of a Car’s Registration Number
Trying to sell your car without clearing pending challans can cause a delay or block the ownership transfer process. You must clear all challans before selling your car to avoid such issues.
The Bottom Line
Having multiple challans issued to your number can cause issues beyond your insurance policy, including legal and financial problems.
On the other hand, having a clean driving record can reduce your premiums and help you get the best insurance plan without opting for a high deductible.