Last Saturday early morning, I was “lucky” to test out the claims procedure efficiency of my motor insurance. Even though I do motor insurances too, I think I was a normal human too, as I was in a bit of shock as things happened too fast.
I was moving off from a traffic light junction on the left most lane, when the car on my right, slightly ahead of me, and me in its blind spot, did a sudden lane change and resulted in a collision. Happened in less than 1/2 a second and I could not react at all.
Luckily no one was injured. But the last place you want this to happen is in Malaysia :l Well, I thought I will have my insurance to cover, and video evidence. An estimation of the damage will be in the range of $800 to a $1000 from the authorized workshop. With an excess of $500, it actually makes no sense to do any claim. And according to the claims personnel, claims against foreign will typically take years. Furthermore, you have to claim your own insurance first, then allow them “years” to take action.
Anyway, it’s always great to have someone experienced in the industry. I phoned my usual repair workshop and he too advised me to forget about lodging any claims against foreign vehicle. His experience is you can’t even claim 3 cents back. Tough luck. Luckily he could do the repair at a much lower cost at about $300 to $400 cheaper. I think you must be also thinking about what I am thinking , regarding the car repair/servicing scene in Singapore.
Only consolation is that perhaps the other guy’s damage is probably much worse, from the front passenger seat to the rear. And thanks to this “night-dreaming” guys, I’m going to take a $600 damage.
Anyway, drive carefully people. Keep a safe distance. But if anything happen, here in Singapore we do have a simple claims procedure framework to follow:
© Wee Khai
Wee Khai is an avid soccer player, who is also a finisher of 12 half-marathons and 3 full marathons.
Wee Khai 