Accidents do not always involve someone else being careless. Sometimes you misjudge a gap, reverse into a pillar or rear-end the car in front during a jam. When the accident is your fault and your own car is damaged, you may still be able to claim the repair cost from your insurer.
This type of claim is called an own damage (OD) claim. This guide explains who can make one, the steps to follow, what it does to your No Claim Discount (NCD) and when it may be smarter not to claim at all. For the general claim process for every type of claim, see our car insurance claim guide.
Third-party only and third-party, fire and theft policies do not pay for accident damage to your own car. They protect you against claims from other people, so if you caused the crash with one of these policies, you will need to pay for your own repairs.
If the other driver caused the accident, you usually do not need an own damage claim. You can claim from their insurer, or use an Own Damage Knock-for-Knock (OD-KFK) claim through your own insurer. Our guide to own damage vs third-party claims explains the difference.
What an own damage claim covers
An own damage claim pays for the repair of your car after an accident covered by your comprehensive policy, minus any amounts you must bear yourself. These usually include:
Excess: the first part of each claim that you pay, if your policy has one. Some policies add a compulsory excess when the driver is young, inexperienced or not named on the policy.
Betterment: for older cars, usually five years or more, you may need to pay part of the cost when old parts are replaced with new original parts.
Uncovered items: anything the policy excludes, such as damage while the driver had no valid licence.
Check your policy schedule for the excess and any add-ons before you decide to claim.
How to make an own damage claim, step by step
1. Make sure everyone is safe
Switch on your hazard lights, check for injuries and call 999 if anyone is hurt. If your car cannot be driven, call your insurer’s towing hotline rather than accepting help from tow trucks that turn up uninvited. Our checklist on what to do after a car accident covers the first 24 hours in more detail.
2. Take photos and exchange details
Photograph the damage to your car, the other vehicle or property involved, number plates and the scene from several angles. If another driver is involved, exchange names, phone numbers, IC numbers and insurance details politely. Avoid making private settlement promises under pressure.
3. Lodge a police report within 24 hours
Malaysian law requires you to report a road accident to the police within 24 hours. Your insurer will ask for the original police report, so keep it safe.
4. Notify your insurer quickly
Call your insurer or takaful operator as soon as possible. Insurers expect to hear from you within a short period. Kurnia, for example, asks for notice within seven days and the claim documents within 14 days of the accident. Check the deadlines in your own policy.
5. Send your car to an approved workshop
Most insurers want the repairs done at a panel or approved workshop. Using a non-panel workshop usually needs your insurer’s approval first. Read more on panel vs non-panel workshops.
6. Submit your documents
The workshop often helps with the paperwork. Typical documents include the claim form, original police report, copies of your IC and driving licence, the vehicle ownership certificate (VOC) and photos of the damage. See the full list in our guide to documents required for an insurance claim.
7. Wait for the assessment and approval
The insurer usually appoints an adjuster to inspect the damage and agree on the repair cost with the workshop. Once the claim is approved, the workshop repairs your car and the insurer pays the workshop directly. You only pay your excess, betterment or any uncovered items.
What happens to your NCD after an own damage claim?
This is the biggest hidden cost of claiming. If you make an own damage claim, your NCD is forfeited and goes back to 0% at your next renewal. The same applies if another party claims against your policy because you caused the accident. Under the usual private car scale, it then takes five claim-free years to climb back to 55%, as shown on Kurnia’s NCD guide.
Here is an illustrative example. Say your basic premium is RM2,000 and you currently enjoy 55% NCD.
Renewal after the claim
NCD
Premium you pay
Extra cost vs keeping 55%
Year 1
0%
RM2,000
RM1,100
Year 2
25%
RM1,500
RM600
Year 3
30%
RM1,400
RM500
Year 4
38.33%
RM1,233
RM333
Year 5
45%
RM1,100
RM200
Year 6
55%
RM900
RM0
In this example, losing your NCD costs about RM2,733 over five years, assuming your basic premium stays the same. Actual figures depend on your car, sum insured and insurer.
Some insurers sell an NCD relief or protector add-on that can soften this loss after an eligible claim, depending on the policy terms. You can also use the Bjak NCD checker to see your current NCD before renewal.
When it may be better not to claim
A claim is not always worth it. Paying the workshop yourself may cost less when:
The repair bill is lower than, or close to, the NCD you would lose plus your excess.
You have a high NCD such as 45% or 55% and the damage is only cosmetic.
Your renewal is coming up soon and you want to keep your discount.
Claiming usually makes more sense for major damage, such as a damaged engine bay, airbags deploying or a car that needs towing. Get a repair quotation first and compare it with your NCD loss. Our article on whether to claim or pay for the repair yourself walks through this decision.
If you decide not to claim, tell your insurer about the accident anyway if your policy requires notification. If another party later claims against you, your insurer will need to know what happened.
Other situations covered by an own damage claim
An own damage claim is not only for collisions with other cars. Under a comprehensive policy, you may also be able to claim when:
You hit a lamp post, road divider or wall. Your NCD will usually be affected.
You hit an animal on the road. This normally counts as an own damage claim and can affect your NCD.
Your windscreen is broken. With a windscreen add-on, you can usually claim without affecting your NCD. Without the add-on, any claim for glass damage may need to go through own damage and affect your NCD, depending on your policy.
What about the other driver you hit?
If you caused the accident, the other driver can claim against your policy for their car repairs and, where relevant, injuries. Every motor policy, including third-party only cover, includes this protection. They do not need to use their own policy, although they may choose the knock-for-knock route through their own insurer.
Either way, a successful claim against your policy also affects your NCD at renewal.
Conclusion
If you cause an accident, a comprehensive policy lets you claim for your own car’s repairs through an own damage claim. Act quickly: lodge a police report within 24 hours, notify your insurer and use an approved workshop. Before you claim, weigh the repair cost against your excess and the NCD you will lose, because small claims can cost more than they save.
Can I make an own damage claim with third-party insurance?
No. Only comprehensive cover pays for accident damage to your own car. Third-party only and third-party, fire and theft policies cover your liability to other people, not your own repairs after an accident.
Will an own damage claim reset my NCD to zero?
Generally, yes. Your NCD is forfeited and drops to 0% at your next renewal. It then rebuilds over five claim-free years. Some insurers offer an NCD relief or protector add-on that can reduce the impact after an eligible claim.
How long do I have to report an accident to my insurer?
Lodge a police report within 24 hours of the accident, then notify your insurer as soon as possible. Many insurers expect notice within about seven days and documents within about 14 days, but check the exact deadlines in your policy.
Do I have to repair my car at a panel workshop?
Most insurers require repairs at a panel or approved workshop. If you prefer a non-panel workshop, get written approval from your insurer before work starts, or your claim may be reduced or rejected.
Is it better to pay for minor damage myself?
Often, yes. If the repair costs less than your excess plus the NCD you would lose over the next few years, paying yourself is usually cheaper. Get a repair quote first and compare it with your NCD loss.
Nabil Farhan· · 7 min read
