It’s a nightmare for any driver if their car breaks down or is involved in an accident on the road. Private towing can easily cost hundreds of ringgit, especially after midnight or over long distances. The good news: most comprehensive car insurance and motor takaful policies in Malaysia include free 24‑hour emergency towing, subject to limits.
Below is an up‑to‑date overview of how free towing works, what the limits are across major insurers, and how to use the benefit correctly.
How Free Car Towing Works with Insurance & Takaful
Free towing is typically included with comprehensive private car policies (not basic third‑party cover).
Insurers and takaful operators usually offer either:
- A distance limit (e.g., up to 100–150 km per breakdown)
- A cost limit (e.g., up to RM200–RM400 per year or per incident)
If your tow exceeds the limit, you pay the excess distance or cost directly to the towing provider, as per the insurer’s terms. Towing is normally arranged via the insurer’s 24‑hour hotline to their approved panel workshops or towing partners.
Free Towing Limits by Insurer (Comprehensive Cover)
The following reflects the standard free towing benefit shown on BJAK’s comparison page for comprehensive private car cover. Exact terms can still vary by plan, vehicle type, and policy wording, so always check your certificate/schedule.
Insurers with Distance‑Based Free Towing
- Liberty General Insurance: Free 24‑hour emergency towing up to 150 km.
- Allianz General Insurance: Free 24‑hour emergency towing up to 150 km.
- Zurich General Takaful: Free 24‑hour towing up to 150 km annually.
- Takaful Ikhlas: Free 24‑hour emergency towing up to 100 km.
- Takaful Malaysia: Free 24‑hour towing (no specific km stated in the summary; generally distance‑based with panel arrangements).
Insurers with Cost‑Based Free Towing
These insurers state a ringgit cap for free towing rather than a fixed kilometre limit:
- Chubb Insurance: Free towing up to RM400 annually.
- Pacific & Orient Insurance: Free towing up to RM350.
- RHB Insurance: Free towing up to RM300.
- Tune Insurance: Free towing up to RM300.
- MSIG Insurance: Free towing up to RM300.
- Great Eastern General Insurance: Free towing up to RM300.
- Generali Insurance Malaysia: Free towing up to RM300.
- Berjaya Sompo Insurance: Free towing up to RM300.
- Tokio Marine Insurans: Free towing up to RM250.
- Lonpac Insurance: Free towing up to RM200.
- AIG Malaysia Insurance: Free 24‑hour emergency towing up to RM200 (plus specific flood towing benefit).
Note: Some operators (e.g., Takaful Malaysia, Zurich Takaful) highlight “free 24‑hour towing” without a single headline km/cap in the summary table; the exact limit is set in the policy wording and may depend on vehicle class and panel arrangements.
Special Mentions: Flood Towing and Extra Benefits
A few insurers explicitly include flood‑related towing or cleanup as part of their add‑on or standard benefits, which can be valuable during monsoon season:
- AIG: Offers Flood Towing as a specific benefit (towing and related assistance after flood).
- Lonpac: Offers Flood Towing & Cleaning as a paid add‑on (covers towing and professional cleaning after flood damage).
- Takaful Malaysia & Zurich Takaful: Also list Flood Towing & Cleaning as an available add‑on.
If you live in a flood‑prone area, consider adding a Flood & Natural Disaster Protection add‑on (available from most insurers on BJAK) together with flood towing where offered.
How to Request Towing from Your Insurer
When your car breaks down or is involved in an accident:
- Move to a safe location: Switch on hazard lights, set up a warning triangle if available, and get yourself and your passengers to a safe spot.
- Call your insurer’s 24‑hour hotline: Use the number on your insurance card, policy document, or the insurer’s website. Do not arrange a private tow first if you intend to claim under the policy’s free towing benefit.
- Provide key details: Your name, IC, policy number (if known), vehicle registration number, contact number, exact location, and nature of breakdown/accident.
- Follow instructions: The insurer will dispatch an approved towing provider to bring your car to a panel workshop or a location they approve, within your free towing limit.
- Know your limit: Ask the operator or check your policy wording for your free towing distance or cost cap, so you’re aware if any excess charges may apply.
Common Questions About Free Car Towing
Do I have to pay anything for insurer‑arranged towing?
Within your policy’s free towing limit (distance or cost), you generally pay nothing. If the tow exceeds the limit, you pay the excess as defined by the insurer (per km or amount above the cap).
Can I use any towing company and claim reimbursement?
Some policies allow reimbursement if you use a non‑panel tow, but this is not universal and often subject to stricter documentation and limits. To avoid disputes, always call your insurer first and use their approved provider unless they explicitly tell you otherwise.
Does free towing apply to all types of policies?
Free towing is mainly for comprehensive private car insurance/takaful. Basic third‑party or third‑party fire & theft policies usually do not include free towing unless specifically stated.
How many times can I use free towing?
This depends on the insurer. Some define it as per breakdown/incident with no explicit annual count. Others set an annual cap (e.g., “up to RM400 per year” for Chubb), which effectively limits total usage. Check your policy wording or ask your insurer for the exact terms.
Choosing a Policy with Good Towing Benefits
When comparing car insurance on BJAK, look beyond the premium and check:
- Whether towing is distance‑based or cost‑based.
- The km or RM limit and whether it’s per incident or annual.
- Whether flood towing or roadside assistance extras (jump‑start, battery delivery, tyre change) are included.
Use BJAK’s comparison table to see side‑by‑side which of the 16 insurers include free towing and what other roadside benefits come with them.
For the latest, insurer‑specific details and to compare quotes, refer to BJAK’s Car Insurance Comparison.
