Having vehicle insurance enables you to make an insurance claim if you run into an accident.
As you may be aware, there are three types of car insurance claims: Own Damage claim, Own Damage Knock-for-Knock claim, and Third Party claim.
You can make an Own Damage claim if an accident or damage to your car is due to your fault. However, note that you can only make an Own Damage claim if you own comprehensive insurance. As you are the party at fault, you will lose your No Claim Discount (NCD) after making your claim. However, you will not lose your NCD if your Own Damage claim falls under any of these two situations: you are not the party at fault (no-fault damage), or you own windscreen coverage (optional coverage for windscreen’s repair or replacement).
Alternatively, you can make an insurance claim against the third party’s insurance company if it is certified that the party is at fault. You can make a third party insurance claim regardless of the insurance policy type you own.
To help you, Bjak will share how to make a third party insurance claim through this article.
What is a third party insurance claim?
A third party insurance claim refers to a claim against the third party’s insurance company when the third party, not you, causes an accident.
What can you claim under a third party insurance claim?
You can claim for the following under a third party insurance claim:
a) Damage to your car or property as a result of an accident caused by a third party
b) Other financial losses, such as Compensation for Assessed Repair Time (CART) and excess.
Note:
An insurance company or takaful operator determines the compensation of CART based on the assessment by their adjuster. Note that the compensation amount is subject to the estimated number of working days to repair your car; the amount is not based on the actual number of days that your vehicle is repaired at a workshop. Please keep receipts of taxi fares or car rental to claim for CART.
Who can make a third party insurance claim?
Every insurance policy provides coverage for vehicle damage, property loss, injury or death of a third party. Hence, if you are a victim or not the party at fault of the accident, you can make a third party insurance claim.
Will you lose your NCD if you make an insurance claim against the third party?
No. You will get to keep your NCD. On the other hand, the third party at fault will lose their NCD after you make a claim against their insurance.
How to make a third party insurance claim
Without further delay, below are the steps to make a claim against the third party’s insurance company:
- Contact your insurance company or takaful operator, or Accident Assist Call Centre (AACC) that offers 24-hour customer service at 15500, if your car suffers severe damage and needs towing assistance.
- Gather evidence by i) writing down the location and time of the accident, and ii) taking photos of the accident scene and damages to the vehicles involved.
- Exchange information with the parties involved, such as i) driving license number, ii) phone number, iii) vehicle model and registration number, and iv) insurance company or takaful operator of the vehicles involved.
- Lodge a police report within 24 hours.
- Inform the accident to your insurance company or takaful operator within 7 days of the accident date and prepare to submit your insurance claim as soon as possible.
- Send your car to your insurance or takaful panel workshop.
- Get an adjuster to assess the damage to your car.
- Submit the following documents to your insurer:
- Police report (original copy)
- Identity card and driving license (copy)
- Vehicle ownership certificate (copy)
- Adjuster’s report
- Repair cost of your vehicle
- Police’s investigation result stating that the third party has been summonsed for the traffic offense
- After the above is completed, the panel workshop will proceed to repair your vehicle.
Tips to avoid claim rejection
- Inform the accident to your insurance company or takaful operator within 7 days of the accident date
- Ensure complete documentation
- Ensure your private vehicle is not used for business purposes like as a rental car or goods carrier
Understand car insurance claims process
As we have mentioned at the start of this article, having insurance coverage helps you in unforeseen circumstances, such as when your car is hit by another vehicle.
We encourage you to learn and understand the correct insurance claims procedure as a few reasons or missteps may cause your claim to be rejected. Take some time to peruse your insurance policy for your convenience during emergencies.
In the meantime, should you wish to renew your car insurance, you can do it online at Bjak. Get your free car insurance quotes and activate your insurance in just 5 minutes.
