Does Motor Takaful Cover E-Hailing Drivers?

Standard private car motor takaful does not automatically cover e-hailing activities in Malaysia. If you use your car to carry passengers for a fare through an e-hailing platform, you generally need additional e-hailing protection, such as a private hire car endorsement or an eligible daily e-hailing plan.

This additional coverage is important because using a private car for paid passenger services is different from using it for personal journeys. Without the appropriate protection, you may face problems if an accident happens while you are carrying out an e-hailing job.

Does Standard Motor Takaful Cover E-Hailing?

No, not automatically. A standard private car motor takaful certificate is generally intended for personal use, unless its terms have been extended to cover e-hailing activities.

For example, Takaful IKHLAS provides a Private Hire Car Endorsement that extends eligible comprehensive motor takaful protection to cover the vehicle while it is on call for a legitimate e-hailing service. The endorsement also includes additional protection for fare-paying passengers and the authorised driver.

You can check the details in the Takaful IKHLAS motor takaful certificate wording.

What Does E-Hailing Takaful Cover?

The exact benefits depend on the takaful operator and the endorsement you purchase. An e-hailing endorsement may extend protection to include:

Coverage	What it protects
Own damage	Damage to your car, subject to the certificate terms
Third-party liability	Your legal liability for injury, death or property damage involving third parties
Legal liability to fare-paying passengers	Your legal liability for injuries to passengers who pay for the ride
Passenger negligence liability	Certain legal liabilities arising from negligent acts by fare-paying passengers
Driver personal accident	Specified benefits if an authorised e-hailing driver suffers covered injuries, death or permanent disablement

For example, Zurich Z-Driver Takaful lists these additional protections under its e-hailing coverage. Its product information also states a personal accident benefit of RM50,000 for an authorised e-hailing driver. The actual benefits and exclusions depend on the certificate and endorsement issued.

Read the Zurich Z-Driver Takaful information before deciding whether its coverage meets your needs.

Annual vs Daily E-Hailing Coverage

E-hailing protection may be available through an annual endorsement or a daily insurance or takaful arrangement, depending on the platform and participating providers.

Type	How it works	Suitable for
Annual e-hailing endorsement	Adds e-hailing protection to an eligible motor certificate for a specified period, usually up to the certificate’s expiry date	Drivers who accept e-hailing bookings regularly
Daily e-hailing coverage	Provides eligible protection for a selected day or operating period, subject to the provider’s conditions	Drivers who drive part-time or less frequently

For example, Grab offers daily e-hailing protection through selected insurance and takaful partners, as well as an annual e-hailing add-on option. Availability, daily rates and benefits may change, so check the Grab e-hailing insurance guide for the latest information.

Do not assume that every daily plan is automatically included with your motor takaful certificate. Confirm how the daily cover works and when it becomes active.

Who Needs E-Hailing Takaful Coverage?

You should arrange the appropriate e-hailing protection if you use your private car to transport passengers for a fare through an e-hailing platform.

This applies whether you drive full-time or part-time. The important factor is how you use the vehicle, not how often you accept bookings.

You should also check the platform’s driver and vehicle requirements. For example, APAD’s e-hailing driver requirements include a valid Public Service Vehicle (PSV) vocational licence and an active E-Hailing Vehicle Permit (eVP), alongside other requirements.

What Should You Check Before Buying E-Hailing Takaful?

Before purchasing an e-hailing endorsement or daily protection, check these details:

1. Eligibility: Confirm that your vehicle and existing motor takaful certificate qualify for the e-hailing extension.
2. Type of cover: Check whether the protection is annual or daily and which e-hailing platforms it applies to.
3. Coverage period: Find out when the protection starts and ends, including whether it applies while you are waiting for a booking, travelling to pick up a passenger or carrying a passenger.
4. Driver details: Check whether the authorised e-hailing driver’s name must be listed on the certificate or endorsement.
5. Benefits and limits: Review the limits for own damage, third-party liability, passenger liability and personal accident benefits.
6. Exclusions and excess: Read the exclusions, compulsory excess and claim conditions before making a payment.

Do not rely only on the name of the add-on. Read the endorsement wording or ask the takaful operator to confirm the coverage that applies to your driving activity.

Can You Make a Claim If You Have an Accident While Driving for E-Hailing?

You may be able to make a claim if your motor takaful certificate includes valid e-hailing protection and the accident falls within its terms and conditions.

However, a standard private car certificate without the required e-hailing extension may not cover an accident that happens while you are providing paid passenger services.

If an accident happens, contact your takaful operator or appointed claims representative as soon as possible. Keep relevant documents, such as the police report, photographs, trip details and other information requested for the claim.

Get the Right Protection Before Accepting E-Hailing Bookings

If you use your car for e-hailing, make sure your motor takaful covers this activity before accepting paid bookings. Standard private car protection may not be enough.

Compare the available motor takaful options on BJAK, then check with the takaful operator whether e-hailing protection is available for your vehicle and driving arrangement. Always review the certificate and endorsement terms before purchasing.