Motorcycle insurance is a must-have as motorists are vulnerable road users prone to road accidents. Statistics show that more than 50% of road accidents in Malaysia involve motorcyclists.
In addition to the risk of accidents, bikers face situations like motorcycle theft or accident fires. These possibilities collectively increase the need to have your bike insured with a comprehensive plan.
How to claim motorcycle insurance?
Claiming insurance for motorcycles can be as troublesome as for cars. The process is lengthy and can be time-consuming. But here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it properly.
Record important information
The first and most important thing to do after an accident is to record important information. Get basic details of the parties involved in the accident, such as their name, IC number, contact information and vehicle plate number.
This will help you facilitate reporting the incident and the claims process. Remember to record the location and time of the accident as well.
Take pictures of the accident
If you did not suffer serious injuries, take pictures of the accident and other vehicles involved. The pictures can be used as evidence if there are disputes from the other party during a police investigation.
If you suspect someone to be a witness of the accident, do get their information, such as name, address and phone number. The witness can help you testify if need be.
Get third-party insurance details
If someone hits you, you can seek a third-party insurance claim from the other party. Not all accidents need to be borne by your policy. You can protect your No-Claim Discount (NCD) by making a third-party claim. This way, your insurance premium does not spike for future renewals.
Among the details you should get from the other party are the insurance company’s name, policy number and policyholder’s details.
Get medical treatment
Getting medical treatment after an accident is important, and you must prioritise this before making a police report. Seek medical treatment at a nearby clinic or hospital (for major injuries).
During the treatment, please ask for a medical report so you can submit medical claims on top of the accident repair charges. Do not postpone medical treatment to report the accident to authorities.
Make a police report
After getting medical treatment, please visit the nearest police station to report the accident. Ensure you make the police report within 24 hours of the accident if you are not seriously injured.
Failure to do so can result in your claim being rejected by the insurance company. Though this is the general rule of thumb, the insurer can have certain exemptions depending on the nature of the accident.
Contact your insurance company
Once the police report is made, contact your insurance company as soon as possible to inform them about the accident. Usually, you are given up to 7 days to report to them about the accident.
When contacting the insurer, prepare necessary documents such as the original copy of the police report, insurance policy, identity card, vehicle registration slip, driver’s licence, and accident photos.
Send the bike to a panel workshop
For repairs, ensure you send your vehicle to a panel workshop so the insurer can approve your claim. A panel workshop is an authorised repair centre listed under your insurance company.
Sending your motorcycle for repair to a third-party workshop can void your claims. This also applies even if you are not at fault during the accident. If you have doubts about the workshop you’re planning to go to, check with your insurer to make sure they can cover the expenses.
Claiming motorcycle insurance
Claiming motorcycle insurance after an accident can be a lengthy process, so patience is key. The approval speed depends on the type of accident and the outcome of the police investigation report.
While waiting for the process to complete, follow up on the case with your insurance company to know the status of your claim and avoid delays.
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