Car insurance plays a vital role in protecting your vehicle in the event of untoward incidents. But have you ever wondered how many times you can make an accident claim in a year?
Are multiple claims allowed within the same coverage period per policy? Continue reading as we explain about multiple insurance claims and their effects on your vehicle insurance.
Can you claim insurance many times?
Generally, insurance companies do not limit how many times you can make a claim for the covered period. So, you can certainly claim car insurance more than once a year, as there is no limitation or restriction on the number of claims allowed per year.
Nonetheless, repeated accident claims can affect your No-Claim Discount (NCD) and influence the premium price that you will have to pay the following year.
Conditions for making multiple claims
Although multiple claims are allowed, vehicle owners must adhere to some conditions before filing for numerous insurance claims in the same year.
Not exceeding the covered amount
The first and most obvious condition you must fulfil is submitting claims within the covered amount. You can make car policy claims several times a year as long as the claim amount does not exceed the covered amount. For example, if you purchased a comprehensive coverage worth RM70,000 a year, your total claim amount shall not exceed RM70,000 for that year.
Have the right insurance policy
Another condition for submitting claims more than once yearly is having the right insurance policy. For the uninitiated, multiple claims can only be made if you buy comprehensive or first-party insurance. Other policies, such as third-party or third-party fire and theft, are not eligible for multiple claims.
With a comprehensive policy, you can submit No-Fault Damage claims and damages incurred from your negligence if the claim is within the covered amount. Third-party policies, on the other hand, do not cover damage to policyholders’ vehicles.
What happens if you claim insurance many times?
Although you can claim insurance several times a year, you are advised only to file a claim if the damage to your vehicle is severe or the repair cost is high. This is to minimise the adverse effects on your NCD or insurance premium.
Affects your NCD
If your vehicle is damaged due to your negligence on the road, you are advised to cover the repair cost on your own. Use out-of-pocket expenses if the damage is not severe. It’s pretty common for people to resort to this method if the damage incurred costs less than the NCD.
Remember that claiming insurance for accidents caused by you will affect your NCD upon policy renewal the following year. In other words, you will lose your NCD for Own Damage claims.
Insurance premium increases
In the event of an insurance claim where you’re proven guilty, your NCD will be forfeited. If this happens, your insurance premium in the next renewal cycle will be more expensive as your NCD reverts to zero.
Besides, repeated claims also indicate that you’re a high-risk driver who may be quoted a higher premium upon policy renewal. As insurance companies tend to adjust the new premium by taking the driver risk profile into account, being a high-risk driver affects how much premium you pay in the future.
Multiple insurance claims
Car insurance is a useful financial product that helps vehicle owners save money for damages that incur from accidents. But claiming them often can have repercussions on NCD and insurance premiums.
Therefore, you should always practise safe driving to reduce your chance of being involved in accidents that may necessitate claims. Be vigilant on the road and obey traffic rules at all times. Follow Bjak’s blog for more tips and tricks like this on car insurance.
Bjak is one of Malaysia’s biggest insurance comparison websites, offering policies from over 10 brands. Get your free insurance quote from Bjak today!
Read more:
