Panel Workshops in Malaysia: How to Find Your Insurer’s Approved Repairers

After an accident, your first thought is probably to get the car fixed quickly. Before you pick any workshop, check whether it is on your insurer’s panel. The wrong choice can delay your claim or leave you paying more than you expected.

This guide explains what a panel workshop is, why it matters and how to find the approved workshops for your own insurer or takaful operator.

What is a panel workshop?

A panel workshop is a repair shop that an insurer or takaful operator has appointed to repair cars covered under its policies. Some insurers call them authorised or approved repairers.

The workshop usually deals with the insurer directly. It inspects the damage, prepares a repair estimate and waits for the insurer’s approval before starting work. The panel is set by each company, so the workshops on one insurer’s list can be different from another’s.

Why does it matter for your claim?

Panel rules mainly affect Own Damage claims, which cover repairs to your own car. Depending on your policy terms and the type of claim, your insurer may ask you to use an approved workshop. Here is why it helps:

• Smoother claims. The workshop and the insurer already work together, so estimates and approvals tend to move faster.
• Fewer surprises. If you use a workshop the insurer has not approved, your claim may be delayed, only partly approved or sent through extra checks.
• Clearer repair terms. Some insurers offer a repair warranty on work done at their panel workshops. The period and conditions differ, so ask before repairs begin.

Do not start any repairs until your insurer has approved the estimate. Work done without approval is one of the most common reasons claims run into trouble.

Has anything changed with PIAM’s workshop scheme?

Yes. For many years, a number of accident repair workshops operated under the PIAM Authorised Repairers Scheme (PARS), run by the Persatuan Insurans Am Malaysia (PIAM). PIAM announced that PARS officially closed on 31 July 2025.

In practice, this means you should not rely on an old PARS-based list. Older workshop lists you find online, including some on blogs and forums, may be out of date. Always confirm the workshop’s status with your own insurer.

How to find your insurer’s panel workshops

There is no single list that covers every insurer. Because each company appoints its own workshops, the most reliable source is the insurer itself. Here are the steps:

1. Check your policy schedule or insurer’s app for the name of your insurer or takaful operator and its claims hotline.
2. Call the claims hotline, or use the workshop locator on the insurer’s official website or app if it has one.
3. Ask which workshops near you are currently approved, and whether the workshop handles your type of car and damage.
4. Confirm the workshop’s name and address before you tow or drive the car there.
5. Ask the insurer to confirm the repair estimate and approval process before work starts.

Your claims hotline is usually printed on your policy documents. If you cannot find it, see our guide to emergency hotlines of car insurance companies in Malaysia.

Examples of insurer workshop locators

Some insurers publish a searchable list of their workshops online. For example, Liberty Insurance has a locator page with a section for authorised car repairers. Tokio Marine Malaysia has a locator page with a repair workshop option for finding a panel workshop near you.

Not every insurer offers the same tool, and what you can search for may change over time. If your insurer has no online list, the hotline is the safest route.

What to do after an accident

1. Make sure everyone is safe and call the police or emergency services if needed.
2. Take clear photos of the damage, the scene and the other vehicle’s plate number.
3. Lodge a police report if your insurer requires one for your claim.
4. Call your insurer’s claims hotline as soon as possible and report the accident.
5. Ask for towing help if the car cannot be driven, and ask which panel workshop it should go to.
6. Wait for the insurer’s approval of the repair estimate before work begins.

After you submit the claim, you can follow its progress. Our guide on how to check your car insurance claim status explains how.

Panel workshop or your own workshop?

Point	Panel workshop	Own workshop
Approval	Already works with your insurer	Needs your insurer’s agreement first
Claim process	Usually more direct	May need extra documents or checks
Risk of delay	Lower	Higher if not approved
Best for	Most Own Damage claims	Only if your insurer allows it in writing

Check your policy wording or ask your insurer, as the rules differ between companies and policy types.

Expired insurance means no claim

A panel workshop cannot help if your policy has lapsed. A claim is only possible while your cover is active, so check your expiry date early and renew on time. A comprehensive policy is also what covers damage to your own car in an accident.

Conclusion

A panel workshop can make your claim simpler, but the list belongs to your insurer and it can change. Call the claims hotline or use the insurer’s official locator before you send your car anywhere, and wait for approval before repairs begin.

If your policy is about to expire, you can compare car insurance quotes and renew with BJAK.