‘Contact insurer for digital roadside help after breakdown or accident’

 

PETALING JAYA: The drive home after the festive holidays can be arduous on the busy highways and the journey could turn sour, especially when the unexpected happens.

It can begin with a sudden jolt, screeching of brakes and all of a sudden, you realise you’re involved in an accident.

Panic is the natural reaction but the most important thing motorists can do is stay calm and know exactly what to do next, says the General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM).

Upon ensuring you are safe, PIAM says motorists should immediately contact their motor insurers and avoid any dealings with unscrupulous individuals who may be looking to capitalise on the situation.

Contacting insurers, they say, is also a process now made easier through the use of digital roadside assistance (DRA) where motorists can get in touch through applications provided by their motor insurance providers.

This service also provides round-the-clock support.

“It provides an efficient way to manage unexpected breakdowns or accidents calmly and minimise inconvenience and costs,” said PIAM.

The DRA, it said, also provides live global positioning system tracking, allowing for faster response and location accuracy.

“The auto-detection of the location can simplify the entire assistance process.

“Policyholders are able to track the estimated time of arrival of their tow truck alongside its details, including licence plate number, and receive updates through their phone in real time.

“This reduces anxiety during emergencies,” PIAM added, noting that it is also not exclusive to accident cases.

“It also provides support when you have a flat tyre, low battery or face other automobile issues,” it said.

PIAM added that accident claims can also be made through the DRA, allowing a transparent tracking process.

“Claim history will also be recorded digitally, providing a record that can be useful for claims or future service reference.

“The DRA also holds all the necessary policy information ready, which is required when making a police report,” it said.

PIAM also highlighted the e-police reporting pilot project focusing on accidents that occur along PLUS highways and only involve single vehicles.

Highways operated by PLUS include the North-South Expressway, New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE), North-South Expressway Central Link (Elite) and the Butterworth-Kulim Expressway (BKE).

The pilot project is an initiative by the police, Transport Ministry, Road Transport Department and the National Anti-Financial Crime Centre ( CC), with support from PIAM, the Malaysia Takaful Association (MTA) and PLUS.

Among the reporting criteria are that there are no injuries or casualties in the accidents and that the accident does not involve other vehicles or cause damage to property.

Other criteria include that the vehicle is owned by an individual and for private use, and not for commercial purposes like e-hailing.

“The objective is to speed up the reporting process as well as improve the aspects of self-insurance claims,” PIAM said. - Star