Flood & Natural Disaster Protection

Only if your policy schedule explicitly lists the Special Perils add-on. Standard motor insurance policies in Malaysia exclude natural disasters by default. Comprehensive coverage excludes "convulsions of nature" - such as floods, typhoons, storms, and landslides - unless the Special Perils add-on is attached. This endorsement generally costs approximately 0.2% of your vehicle's sum insured per year and is available exclusively for comprehensive policyholders.

Three ways to check right now:

• Your policy schedule (the official document issued by your insurer or stored under your BJAK e-policy). Check for "Inclusion of Special Perils" or "Special Perils Add-on" under optional benefits.
• Your renewal quote on BJAK - the add-on appears as a toggle with its own premium line.
• The insurer's customer service hotline - listed on the insurer's BJAK partner page. You can directly ask: "Does my policy currently include the Special Perils add-on?"

If you hold a third-party or TPFT policy, natural disaster coverage cannot be added. To secure flood protection, you must upgrade to a comprehensive policy at your next renewal.

1. Do not start the engine

Attempting to start a flooded car can cause severe engine hydrolock, immediately converting a repairable situation into a total loss. Insurance policies strictly exclude consequential engine damage resulting from starting a submerged vehicle. Keep the ignition off until an authorized loss adjuster or panel workshop inspects the car.

2. Photograph everything before the water drops

Clear photographic evidence is crucial for supporting your claim. Before water levels recede, take time-stamped photographs showing the water line relative to the vehicle exterior, cabin interior, surrounding location, and any visible debris.

3. Call the insurer's hotline, not a random tow

Contact your insurer's official 24-hour hotline to dispatch authorized towing directly to an approved panel workshop. Selected partners, such as Takaful Malaysia and AIG, offer dedicated flood towing services covered within your policy benefits. Hotline numbers are available on your e-policy and BJAK partner pages. BJAK VIP members can also reach out directly to the BJAK 24/7 hotline for towing coordination support.

4. Disconnect the battery if it is safe and dry to do so

Disconnecting the battery helps prevent electrical short circuits while waiting for assistance. Only do this if it is entirely safe and dry to do so. For electric vehicles (EVs), leave all high-voltage electrical components untouched for trained technicians.

5. Keep the receipts

Retain all official tax invoices and receipts for towing, temporary alternative transportation, or professional cleaning services. Selected expenses may be reimbursable depending on your insurer's specific policy endorsements.

6. Do not accept a "cash settlement" at the roadside

Decline unverified roadside cash offers or unauthorized private towing operators. A formal inspection by an appointed loss adjuster is mandatory to ensure accurate valuation and claim settlement.

1. File a police report within 24 hours. A police report is mandatory for all own-damage claims. Clearly detail the exact location, time, and circumstances of the flood incident in your statement.
2. Notify your insurer within 7 days. Submit your claim through the insurer's hotline or official mobile portal (such as Berjaya Sompo's MySOMPO app). Include your policy number, police report copy, and photographic evidence.
3. Tow to an approved panel workshop. Your insurer will assign an independent loss adjuster to inspect the vehicle at the panel workshop. The assessment of water depth, cabin submersion, and electrical component exposure determines whether the vehicle is repairable or declared a total loss.
4. Assessment and repair authorization. Repairs begin once the loss adjuster's report is approved by the insurer. Any applicable policy excess (such as the RM400 compulsory excess for drivers under 21, P-licence holders, or unnamed drivers) is payable upon collecting the repaired vehicle.
5. Total loss settlement. If estimated repair costs exceed the vehicle's market value or vital electronic systems suffer extensive damage, the insurer settles the claim based on market value or agreed sum insured (per policy terms) and assumes salvage ownership.
6. Impact on No Claim Discount (NCD). A flood claim is processed as an own-damage claim, which resets your NCD to 0% at your next renewal unless you hold an NCD relief endorsement. Check your current standing using the NCD checker.

For quick guidance, refer to BJAK's flood claim FAQ. If your policy was purchased via BJAK, BJAK's claims support team can coordinate directly with the insurer on your behalf.

Covered under Special Perils add-on

• Panel workshop repairs up to the policy sum insured
• Total loss payout based on market value or agreed value if beyond economical repair
• Flood towing - included by Takaful Malaysia and AIG
• Interior cleaning and restoration - under Takaful Malaysia's "Towing and Cleaning due to Water Damage" benefit (one claim per certificate period)
• Daily loss of use allowance if Compensation for Assessed Repair Time (CART) is active (e.g. Takaful Malaysia provides RM50/day up to 7 days)

Not paid

• Damages if the policy lacks the Special Perils add-on
• Damage resulting from deliberately driving into visible flood waters (may be repudiated due to negligence)
• Hydrolock from attempting to start the car after flooding
• Personal belongings in the car (a home contents policy may cover them)
• Betterment contributions on vehicles aged 5 years or older when brand-new original parts are fitted, unless a betterment waiver endorsement is active

Regional flood risk periods - key timelines to verify coverage:

Special Perils coverage must be active before a flood event occurs; add-ons cannot be purchased retrospectively after damage has been sustained. If your renewal date falls within high-risk months, consider renewing early. BJAK allows policy renewals up to 60 days before expiration while preserving your accumulated NCD status.

Policy

• Verify that the Special Perils add-on is listed on your policy schedule
• Confirm that your sum insured accurately reflects current market value - total loss settlements are paid according to this figure
• Evaluate NCD relief coverage if you hold an NCD entitlement of 45% to 55%
• Save your insurer's 24/7 hotline and policy number in your mobile contact list
• Renew well ahead of monsoon periods rather than during active warning periods

Car

• Assess your frequent parking areas' flood exposure by checking with property management or local residents
• Relocate your vehicle to elevated ground whenever MetMalaysia issues an orange or red heavy rain alert for your area
• Avoid driving through standing water of unknown depth; as little as 30 cm of water can stall engines and float light vehicles
• Keep a digital copy of your e-policy on your smartphone rather than relying solely on physical copies

Special Perils extends beyond flood protection. The same endorsement covers landslides and landslips (such as vehicle damage caused by slope failures along hillside roads or car parks), storms and tempests (including fallen trees during high winds), soil subsidence and sinking, as well as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Note that fallen tree damage during clear weather depends on specific partner policy wording, which may categorize it under standard accidental damage cover.

Excluded and separately available: Strike, Riot and Civil Commotion (SRCC), priced at approximately 0.3% of sum insured at Zurich. Although SRCC and Special Perils are often evaluated concurrently during renewal, purchasing flood coverage does not mandate SRCC selection.

For comprehensive definitions, pricing structures, and partner comparisons, visit the special perils guide.

• Special perils explained - Meaning, coverage and the 0.2% price
• Flood claim FAQ - The short answer
• Comprehensive car insurance - The base cover flood protection needs
• Sum insured - What a flood total loss pays out
• NCD checker - What a claim does to your discount
• EV car insurance - Why flood cover matters more on an EV