If you look through your car insurance policy, you may find jargon such as ‘betterment’ that is not really self-explanatory. While it may be an uphill battle to understand the meaning of each insurance term, there are a few basic terms that you should understand.
We have covered a few essential terms in a car insurance policy in our past article. This time, we will cover another essential car insurance term: betterment. Read on to understand what it means and how it is related to your car insurance claim.
Definition of betterment
According to the General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM), “betterment is a portion of the cost that consumers will have to bear when the damaged part of the vehicle is replaced with a brand new original part.”
As the car will be in better condition with the new original part, the insurance company will require the car owner or policyholder to bear the cost difference.
Example: Your rear bumper is damaged after being hit by a car. As the bumper is beyond repair, you have to get a new part. Your insurance company will impose a betterment charge as the value of a new bumper is not the same as a used bumper. The difference in costs of the new original part that you have to bear is ‘betterment’.
(Note: For vehicle repair, most insurance companies will only cover the cost of used spare parts for vehicles aged 5 years old and older.)
Another thing you should note is even if damage to your car part is due to a third party, you cannot claim the betterment charge from the party. This is as you will benefit from using the new, original car component, not the party at fault.
To whom is the betterment charge imposed?
Comprehensive insurance indeed covers the repair cost to your car due to an accident. However, if your accident-damaged vehicle age is 5 years old or older, your insurer will impose a betterment charge for the replacement of a new, original part.
Why is the betterment charge imposed?
Besides risk management, an insurance company imposes a betterment charge to prevent any intentional act of damaging one’s car parts as a scheme to replace the parts with new, original parts through insurance claims.
What are the rates of a betterment charge?
The rates are as follows:
How do I get a betterment charge exemption?
Can you get an exemption from paying a betterment charge?
Yes. However, you will have to add a waiver of betterment coverage to your insurance policy.
What are the benefits of getting a waiver of betterment?
If you wonder how getting the coverage can benefit you, check out our example below.
Example: Your 7-year-old car runs into an accident. As a result, you have to replace one of your car parts, and the cost is RM3,000. Given that the betterment rate is 25% of the new part, the betterment charge you have to pay is RM750. Your insurer will cover the remaining 75% of the cost, which amounts to RM2,250.
However, assuming you have added a waiver of betterment coverage to your policy, you will not have to pay any charge for the new part. Your insurer will fully cover the cost of the new, original part.
(Note: A betterment cost only involves the cost of a new, original part. Labour cost is not included.)
From the example above, you will get a new and original car part instead of a second-hand or used part if you purchase a waiver of betterment coverage. You get to use a brand new vehicle part from the factory and not just any part from no-longer-used vehicles.
Who can apply for the coverage?
This coverage is only eligible for vehicles between 5 to 10 years old. However, the eligible vehicle age may vary across insurers.
Enhance your car insurance coverage
As a vehicle owner and policyholder, we encourage you to understand essential terms in your insurance policy. Understanding the vital terms can avoid misunderstanding and ease your car insurance claim process.
Additionally, if your car age is 5 years old or older, consider adding a waiver of betterment coverage to your policy. This is to exempt you from paying an additional charge when replacing a damaged car part with a new, original one. You save more money and have your damaged car part replaced with a new, original one without a hassle by getting this coverage. Take a look at our past article to learn more about a waiver of betterment coverage,
Bjak offers 15 insurance brands on its insurance comparison site for consumers to compare before renewing their insurance. Get your free motorcycle or car insurance quotes online at Bjak today and renew your insurance easily and quickly.
