In the wake of relentless thunderstorms and recent turbulent weather in Malaysia, chaos has ensued, leading to fatalities and widespread property destruction.
Numerous uprooted trees have resulted in significant damage to multiple vehicles.
Just this month, a tragic incident took the life of a 47-year-old man as a massive tree crashed onto his car in Kuala Lumpur.
Similarly, in Penang, several vehicles suffered damages when two uprooted trees collapsed upon them.
Universiti Malaya faced property losses exceeding RM1 million after uprooted trees struck vehicles on its premises, following a recent thunderstorm that swept through various areas in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya.
Reportedly, the public university noted 29 vehicles damaged on the past Saturday, the 25th of May.
The recent onslaught of severe weather has left car owners scrambling to verify if their insurance policies safeguard their vehicles in the event of natural disasters.
While it’s a legal requirement in Malaysia to possess car insurance in order to drive or renew your road tax, standard policies unfortunately do not cover damages caused by natural disasters such as floods, windstorms, rainstorms, landslides, subsidence, and other acts of nature.
Even comprehensive car insurance, offering a broad scope of protection in various scenarios, does not typically include natural disaster-related damages unless supplemented with additional coverage.
So, what options exist for safeguarding your vehicle against natural calamities?
In Malaysia, three primary types of motor insurance policies—namely, third-party insurance cover, third-party fire and theft insurance cover, and comprehensive insurance cover—do not inherently shield your vehicle from damages arising from natural disasters.
Nevertheless, there exists a solution known as special perils add-on coverage under comprehensive insurance policies, specifically tailored to provide protection against damages caused by natural disasters like falling trees and flooding.
Special perils represent an appended feature offering enhanced protection against specific risks typically excluded in standard policies.
Purchasing the special perils add-on coverage enables you to file an insurance claim for repairs due to damages caused by falling trees, recognized as acts of nature or convulsions of nature.
While the cost of this supplemental coverage varies across insurance providers, it generally proves affordable, often ranging from 0.2% to 0.5% of your car’s insured value.
Wishing to initiate a claim under special perils?
Refrain from starting your car’s engine or cleaning your vehicle if it’s been crushed under a tree or debris.
Capture as many photos and videos as possible to document the extent of damage to your car, both inside and out. After documenting the damage, promptly contact your insurance company to report the incident.
They will provide guidance and further instructions on the necessary steps to take.
Reach out to your insurance provider or agent to explore how to incorporate the special perils add-on coverage into your vehicle insurance policy.
Remember, you have the choice between two primary coverage options: full special perils or limited special perils, select the one that aligns with your specific needs.
