GrabCar: Drivers and passengers have insurance cover

Grab Malaysia head Sean Goh says the total personal accident benefits can go up to RM64,200 per person, for both the driver and passenger.

PETALING JAYA: Ride-hailing service GrabCar today assured its drivers and passengers that they are covered by personal accident insurance in the event of an accident.

Grab Malaysia head Sean Goh said the insurance scheme was launched last year at no extra charge to passengers.

“The insurance covers both GrabCar passengers and drivers.”

He said the group policy for drivers and passengers covered events such as death, permanent dismemberment and bodily injuries sustained in an accident.

“It is the largest coverage in Malaysia with total personal accident benefits of up to RM64,200 per person, for both the driver and passenger.”

Each incident is evaluated individually by the insurance providers and coverage amounts differed across markets, he said.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Uber also assured drivers and passengers that all their rides were covered by insurance.

Public Transport Users Association of Malaysia (4PAM) had recently raised concerns that the insurance scheme to be introduced by the government protected the driver but left the passengers to fend for themselves in the event of an accident.

4PAM president Ajit Johl said since the government had failed to regulate the ride-sharing industry through the Land Public Transport Commission, a passenger could hold the government liable in the event of an accident.

It was reported earlier that more than 100,000 self-employed taxi as well as Uber and Grab drivers would be covered under the Employment Injury Scheme (EIS) when the Self Employment Social Security Bill 2017 becomes law this year. -FMT