Comprehensive insurance, also known as 1st party insurance, is the best car insurance policy vehicle owners can settle for, as it covers a wider range of incidents than other policies. However, even the best vehicle insurance policies come with inevitable drawbacks that policyholders must be aware of.
In this article, we will explain some of the pros and cons of comprehensive car insurance to help you understand it better. Let’s jump right in!
Advantages
Own damage claim
Unlike other car policies, comprehensive coverage lets vehicle owners file for own damage claims if they are involved in accidents. Own damage claims are a type of vehicle insurance claim that policyholders can submit regardless of whose fault the accident is.
This means even if the damage is self-inflicted or caused by the vehicle owner’s negligence, it will covered under comprehensive insurance.
Allows for add-on protection
The biggest plus point about comprehensive policies is that they allow vehicle owners to add optional coverage that is not included in a standard policy. For example, the basic comprehensive cover does not include special perils which cover vehicle damage resulting from natural disasters.
However, with first-party insurance, you can easily add on special perils coverage by paying an additional premium. This also applies to other coverage, such as Strike, Riot and Civil Commotion (SRCC) and Compensation for Assessed Repair Time (CART).
Unrestricted claims
The other benefit to owning 1st-party insurance is that it allows unrestricted claim submissions from policyholders. Compared to other policies, comprehensive plans do not typically limit the number of claims for the covered year.
This means you can make car policy claims several times a year provided the claim amount does not exceed the covered amount. So, if you’re sum insured is RM80,000, your total claim amount for that year shall be within RM80,000.
Disadvantages
Expensive
Despite offering an inclusive coverage plan for car owners, comprehensive plans tend to be more expensive than all other types of policies. The price point of this policy is directly influenced by the amount of coverage it covers which is significantly more compared to third-party policies.
Besides, the make and model of the vehicle, engine capacity, geographical location, and driving record also contribute to the final price of this policy.
Does not cover everything
There’s a common misconception among many vehicle owners that first-party insurance covers everything simply because it is named comprehensive. However, ‘comprehensive’ does not translate everything, as there are exclusions to what the policy actually covers.
For example, comprehensive policies normally do not cover personal injuries, belongings inside the car and protection for all drivers. These incidents will only be covered if selected add-ons are purchased by policyholders.
Has a deductible
Most comprehensive policies come with a deductible, which is a predetermined amount that you agree to pay before your insurance company compensates for losses. Unfortunately, deductibles aren’t the best part about any policy and with comprehensive insurance, this is inevitable.
Insurance companies charge this amount to minimise the financial stress caused by claims from policyholders, and for 1st party insurance, the likelihood of a claim is higher since it covers a range of incidents.
Bjak is one of Malaysia’s biggest insurance comparison websites, offering policies from over 10 brands. Visit Bjak today to get your free insurance quote!
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