Thousands of car fires happen in Malaysia each year. A car may catch fire due to many reasons.
Read on as we share the common factors contributing to car fires, preventive measures, and what to do if your car catches fire.
Factors contributing to car fires
Fuel system leakage
Fuel system leakage is usually cited as the most common cause of car fires in Malaysia.
While fuel materials such as gasoline and diesel are vital necessities to run a car, they are highly flammable. Note that a simple gas leak can easily lead to a fire or explosion.
This can occur if the gasoline comes in contact with a heat source, such as a spark or a very hot surface.
These are two situations that could cause a car fire:
- Not working or damaged fuel systems
- Connection and fuel injection systems leakage
Engine overheating
Engine overheating can cause a wide range of problems. One of the most severe problems it can cause is a car fire. Engine overheating is more prone to happen to old or poorly maintained vehicles.
Engine overheating occurs due to cooling system failures, like a radiator leakage or damage to the radiator and water pump. When your car engine overheats, it can cause one of its many flammable fluids to ignite and start a fire.
Car accessories
Improper car accessories installation, such as improper dashcam installation can cause a short circuit and losses to the vehicle owner if the vehicle catches fire.
Other than that, the use of non-genuine accessories may also cause vehicle fires.
Impact of a car accident
Most vehicles are equipped with a crumple zone that protects important vehicle interiors such as fuel tanks. A crumple zone helps absorb impact energy during a collision so that most of the energy is dissipated across the zone.
A minor fender bender will not cause a leak or fire, so you do not have to worry.
However, a severe collision can sever the crumple zone, damaging other car components such as the battery and alternator and triggering a car fire.
The massive impact will cause fuel and fluid systems to leak. Meanwhile, friction or electrical damage can cause a spark, igniting the fluids and triggering a car fire.
Flammable items
Many vehicle owners prefer to leave some of their belongings in the car. However, some items are risky to be kept in a car as they can cause a fire. Some of the risky items are:
- Plastic bottles
It may seem simple but leaving a plastic water bottle in your car is risky.
A plastic bottle filled with water can magnify the intensity of direct sunlight and produce enough heat to start a fire.
- Lighters
Lighters can cause fires if left exposed to a high temperature in a car. The heat accumulated in the vehicle can lead to an explosion of the small plastic tubes and potentially pose a fire risk.
What to do during a car fire
If you detect a cloud of smoke from your car hood or smell burning rubber or plastic, please remain calm and safely pull over as soon as possible and do the following:
- Turn off your car engine.
- Get everyone out of the car and stay at least 100 feet away from the car.
- Do not open the hood as flames could flare up.
- Immediately call 999.
- Do not go back to your car to fetch anything. Wait for the rescue team to arrive.
How to prevent car fires
Prevention is always better than cure. Follow the measures below to avoid car fires:
- Get a fire extinguisher for your car and keep it near the driver’s seat.
- Do not smoke inside the car. It can lead to fire as the interior of the car contains plastic and other materials which can easily catch fire.
- Ensure scheduled car maintenance and annual inspection.
- Be careful with gasoline.
- Switch off the engine when refuelling the car.
Can you make an insurance claim for car fire damage?
Can you make an car insurance claim if your car is damaged due to a fire? The answer is yes. However, it is subject to your policy type.
You can only make a car insurance claim due to accidental fire if you have a comprehensive policy or third party, fire and theft policy.
Note that you are not eligible to make a claim if you only purchase a third party policy.
Steps to claim for car fire damage
You may follow these steps if you are eligible to make an insurance claim for car fire damage:
- Take photos of your damaged or burnt car due to the fire.
- Lodge a police report within 24 hours.
- Provide the required documents for claims processes including the original copy of police report, insurance policy, a copy of your identity card and driving license.
- Your insurance company will investigate your case.
- Wait for the report from the police, fire department, and insurance company.
Get adequate insurance for your car
As mentioned in the beginning, thousands of car fires happen in Malaysia each year. So, car fires are relatively common.
Therefore, ensure that you protect your car with sufficient coverage, so you will be able to make an insurance claim if your car catches fire. We certainly hope you will not experience such a hazardous situation, but prepare for any possibility.
Visit Bjak, one of the largest insurance comparison sites in Malaysia, for wider options of insurance brands. You can get up to 15 car insurance quotes for free in just 3 minutes.
