How to File a Car Insurance Claim?

Key Points

1. Two types of car insurance claim you MUST know.
2. Guidelines to file a car insurance claim.
3. A situation in which you may be able to file a car insurance claim.

Did you know that road accidents occasionally happen, whether it’s your negligence or another party’s negligence, without our acknowledgement? According to Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, the Transport Minister,” 255,532 road accidents were reported from January to September 2021.” When road accidents happen in Malaysia, many of us don’t know the proper process and types of car insurance claim you can file with your insurer company.

To lessen your burden, we have made this information as easy-to-read and straightforward as possible about how to file a car insurance claim. This information will benefit you in the future, and the most important thing is that you know the right things to do.

Claiming for an insurance accident in Malaysia can be difficult, but it is possible with the correct information and preparation. In Malaysia, there are two types of claims that you can usually make, such as your damage or third-party injuries.

File a claim with your selected insurer

If you have comprehensive car insurance and your car is involved in an accident, you can file a claim under “Own Damage Claim” or “No-Fault Damage Claim”. This way, the accident will be as if it was not your fault.

Do remember that only comprehensive car insurance gives you the advantage of filing a claim for your vehicle. If you only have third-party car insurance, you cannot do so. However, when making an own-damage claim, there is a risk that you will lose your No Claim Discount (NCD) entitlement. As you are using your NCD entitlement, the percentage of the NCD will restart at 0%.

Guidelines to file a car insurance claim process (Own Damage)

1. Reach your insurance company immediately

Once you are involved in an accident, inform your insurance company immediately. If your car needs some repair, this will help your insurer tell you what you must do and suggest which panel workshop to send your vehicle to.

2. Lodge a police report

Don’t delay in lodging a police report. You must lodge a police report within 24 hours to prevent you from being fined! Not just that, your insurance company will also need a police report and an original copy of the investigation results by the police.

3. Take many photos as possible for evidence purposes

Remember not to drive away from the scene! Do take many pictures, as these will be the evidence. For instance:

1. Take a photo of both your vehicle and the third-party vehicle (if possible, from a 360-degree angle)
2. Plate number of a third party
3. Identification card for a third party
4. Exchange the important information (full name, MyKad number, driver’s license number, contact details)

Note: Make sure to call the third-party phone number before leaving the accident scene to prevent the third party from scamming you!

4. Gather all the relevant documents for the car insurance claim purpose

Your panel workshop will need these documents when you are filing a claim:

1. Copy of the original police report
2. An original copy of the police investigation results
3. Form for filing a car accident report
4. Form for filing a claim with the insurance company
5. The driver’s identification card (MyKad)
6. The policyholder’s identification card (MyKad)
7. Estimated repair costs

5. Submit the relevant documents to your insurer or panel workshop

After following those guidelines, submit all the documentation to the insurance company. While the insurance adjuster will examine what’s wrong with your car and how much it will cost for repairs.

File a claim with Third Party

Third-party insurance is the basic or standard vehicle insurance you must have to drive peacefully on the road. But, third-party claims will only cover the injuries or death caused to the individual during an accident and any losses or damage to the third party’s vehicle caused by your car.

If you did not cause the accident, you would have the advantage of making a third-party claim. The third party pays for the damages done to your car without using and losing your No-Claim Discount (NCD).

Guidelines to file a car insurance claim process (Third Party)

1. Lodge a police report within 24 hours

Make sure to lodge a police report within 24 hours or immediately after the accident, or else you will get an unnecessary fine of RM300!

2. Take many photos as possible for evidence purposes

Make sure to call the third-party phone number before leaving the accident scene to prevent the third party from scamming you!

1. Take a picture of both your vehicle and the third-party vehicle (if possible, from a 360-degree angle)
2. Plate number of the third party
3. Identification card (MyKad) of the third party
4. Exchange the important information (full name, MyKad number, driver’s license number, contact details)

Note: Make sure to call the third party’s phone number before you leave the accident scene to prevent the third party from scamming you!

3. Make sure to send your car to the third-party insurance company

You should take your car to the third-party insurance company’s panel shop as soon as possible.

4. Get a licensed adjuster to assess the loss

It would help if you got a licensed adjuster on your own or through a workshop to help determine and evaluate the total cost of the damage and compensation for assessed repair time (CART). CART stands for the time it takes to repair your vehicle at the shop. If you don’t know the standard gauge of daily CART, you can visit PIAM’s website for further information.

5. Don’t forget to submit all the documents needed to the third party’s insurance company.

The following are the documents you must submit:

1. A copy of your identification card (MyKad)
2. A copy of your driver’s license
3. An original copy of the police report you filed
4. An original copy of the police investigation results
5. Registration card of your car
6. The appointed licenced adjuster’s report will include a bill of repair estimate for your car (or your damaged property)
7. Picture of the damaged vehicle

However, there are circumstances where the amount offered by the third party’s car insurance might be insufficient. When this happens, you may want to get a lawyer and be asked to sign a warrant to act (document).

A situation in which you may be able to file a car insurance claim

Did you know that certain conditions are eligible for filing a car insurance claim?

1. Accident claim

During the event of an accident, there are two types of car insurance claims you can make such as:

• Own damage claim: When you make a damage claim against your insurance policy, and usually if you have comprehensive car insurance, If it happens, you may lose your no-claim discount (NCD)
• Third-party claim: When you make a claim against a third party (usually the other person involved in the accident) and not for your vehicle

You can refer to the above guidelines and documents needed for this accident, especially for accident claims.

2. Natural disasters (Special perils)

Natural disasters or the common word we hear is “special perils.” Special perils cover unexpected events such as floods, thunderstorms, or landslides.

In most circumstances, regardless of whether you chose basic or comprehensive coverage, this type of damage is not covered by a standard vehicle insurance policy. You won’t be able to make a claim for loss or damage. But, you can always add special peril coverage to your insurance policy.

You are now ready to file a claim if you have already added special perils to your insurance policy. Here are some pointers to consider when you get started:

• Remember not to start your car, as this will cause more damage and wash or clean your car.
• Take many pictures and videos, as this is the crucial part for you to make claims.
• Call your insurance hotline immediately once you have sufficient proof of the damage.
• After that, your insurance company will arrange for your vehicle’s transportation for repairs.
• Your car will need to be fixed by an authorised workshop that your insurance company has approved.
• Once your car is repaired, that sum will be covered by the insurance company.

3. Theft / Stolen car

Right now, we can predict when our car will be stolen or disappear suddenly, right? If you are in a situation where your car goes missing, you must ensure it isn’t stolen and hasn’t been towed without your knowledge. If it’s been stolen, you’ll need to do the following:

• Straight away, go to the nearest police station to lodge a police report about your stolen or missing car. Make sure to provide details about the vehicle and any items of value that may have been in the car when it was stolen.
• Make a call to your insurance company and let them know what transpired. When you file your claim, you will need to bring the following documents with you:
1. Copy of the original police report
2. A copy of the driver’s identification card (MyKad)
3. A copy of the driver’s license
4. Registration card for a vehicle
5. A copy of the hire purchase contract
• Fill out the claim form provided by your insurance company.
• Following the claim form submission, you must maintain close contact with your insurance company or its representative during the police investigation.

Verdict

Road accidents can occur anytime, whether now, tomorrow, or in the future, without our knowledge. However, if you find yourself in this scenario, stay calm and follow the proper procedures for filing a car insurance claim. With PolicyStreet, we strongly advise purchasing comprehensive auto insurance and particular risk add-ons for added protection. We are concerned about our customers’ well-being and want the best for you and your family.

Contact our insurance experts or visit PolicyStreet today to learn more about the auto insurance we offer. Comparing auto insurance quotes on PolicyStreet is an excellent place to start.

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