Imagine having a jolly time, shopping at a mall. As you get to your parking lot and press your car key, you notice a sizable dent on one of your car doors. The fact that someone hits your nicely parked car and simply runs away will most likely anger you and spoil your otherwise good mood.
What can you do in that situation? Can you make an insurance claim when you do not know the person hitting your car?
Keep calm. Read on as we explain what you can do if someone hits your parked car and runs away.
What should you do if someone hits your parked car and goes away?
Step 1: Check your surrounding and see whether the person responsible leaves their contact number
Should you find yourself in the situation, it is understandable that you may be infuriated, especially as you have taken good care of your car.
First off, please take a deep breath and calm yourself down. Next, check your car surrounding to look for any note or contact number left by the person who has hit your vehicle. Check your wipers or car doors to see whether the person has left any notes.
If there is any contact number left, you are in luck. You can contact the doer to resolve the matter amicably. You can also claim on the doer’s insurance policy for hitting your car.
Step 2: Cannot find the doer? Prepare to file a ‘No-Fault Own Damage Claim’
If you cannot find any notes from the doer, it is a clear hit-and-run case. But remain calm. You can still make an insurance claim provided that you have comprehensive insurance. In this case, you can claim on your insurance policy under the ‘No-Fault Own Damage Claim’.
What is a ‘No-Fault Own Damage Claim’?
A ‘No-Fault Own Damage Claim’ is a type of insurance claim that comprehensive policyholders can make if an accident or damage to their cars is not caused by them.
Note that comprehensive insurance only covers what is specified in your insurance policy. It does not provide optional or additional coverages such as Compensation for Assessed Repair Time (CART) unless you purchase any additional coverages.
Will a ‘No-Fault Own Damage Claim’ affect your No Claim Discount (NCD)?
No. Your NCD will not be affected, given that you are not the party at fault.
Who can make a ‘No-Fault Own Damage Claim’?
As we have mentioned, only comprehensive policyholders can make a ‘No-Fault Own Damage Claim’.
How is a ‘No-Fault Own Damage Claim’ different from an ‘Own Damage Claim’?
For a ‘No-Fault Own Damage Claim’, you will not lose your NCD after your claim.
On the other hand, if you make an ‘Own Damage Claim’, your NCD will return to zero during your next insurance renewal.
Step 3: Lodge a police report
Immediately lodge a police report within 24 hours when you notice the damage to your car.
Next, contact your insurance company to inform them of the damage.
After reporting the damage to your insurer, send your car to a workshop. We recommend sending your car to your insurance panel workshop for an easier insurance claim process.
Step 4: Get an estimated repair cost
Typically, an insurance company will assign an adjuster to assess car damage and repair cost. The adjuster will then release a report of the assessment. Please keep a copy of the report for reference.
Additionally, an insurance adjuster will estimate the duration to repair your car. If you have Compensation for Assessed Repair Time (CART) additional coverage, you can also claim for loss of use based on the assessed repair time.
Step 5: Make an insurance claim immediately
After completing the above steps, proceed to make an insurance claim as soon as possible. Do not delay this process because it will take longer for you to get compensation.
The documents needed to make a ‘No-Fault Own Damage Claim’ are as follows:
- Claim form
- Original copy of the police report
- Original copy of the police’s investigation result
- Latest vehicle registration card
- Receipt of the repair cost
- Photos of the damage to your vehicle
If unsure, call your insurance company to know the procedure and documents required.
Additionally, follow up with the panel workshop on the progress of the repair work.
Get the best car insurance coverage
As a vehicle owner, you have to be aware of the risks to your car, such as accidents. Therefore, please get sufficient car insurance coverage, preferably a comprehensive policy, if eligible. This is as you can make a ‘No-Fault Own Damage Claim’ as explained above without forking out your money if someone hits your car and goes off.
To purchase comprehensive car insurance, use Bjak, one of Malaysia’s leading insurance comparison sites, offering 15 leading insurance brands. Visit Bjak to get free car insurance quotes in just 3 minutes.
