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The Motor Claims Framework (MCF) was set up to
provide a comprehensive service for all Motor
Insurance Claims. The MCF is fully supported by
all insurers in Singapore and allows motorists to
make motor claims in a simple, hassle-free and
speedy manner, as well as bringing the added
benefits of a greater pool of certified motor
repair workshops and related services.
<List of Approved Reporting
Centres (ARCs) |
MCF
FAQs
(Source: General Insurance
Association Singapore, GIA)
1. What
follow-up action should a motorist take if another
motorist offers to compensate him for damages caused
to his vehicle at the point of the accident?
Even if the parties agree to a private settlement, a
report to the respective insurers is still required
for record purposes.
2. The
MCF prescribes that the motorists need to take down
the other party’s particulars (NRIC, name, telephone
number, address, insurer & digital photo of accident)
after an accident. What happens if the other party
refuses to give any of the details and stops me from
taking any photographs? Can we still report the
accident to our insurer?
If the other motorist is not cooperative in furnishing
his particulars, you should still take down the
vehicle registration number. The GIA reminds all
motorists that according to the MCF all motorists now
have to report to their insurers any accident, no
matter how small.
3. The
MCF states that if we are involved in accident, major
or minor, we need to follow 3 steps that were issued
by the GIA. Being a rider, if I was injured in an
accident, it would be impossible for me to follow the
3 steps that were given. By not complying with these 3
steps could my claim be invalid?
The GIA introduces the 3 steps reporting process to
make it easy for drivers to remember what to do in an
accident. If the circumstances are such that it is
impossible for the motorist to follow the 3 steps,
insurers will give special consideration to the claim.
Just as a reminder to everyone, the three steps are:
i) Exchange particulars and take note of vehicle
numbers – riders can do this;
ii) Call your insurer’s hotline for a tow truck – this
may be applicable to riders in some cases;
iii) Report and take your vehicle, damaged or not, to
the approved reporting centre or authorized workshop
within 24 hours – riders can do this in most cases.
4. Under
the new MCF, what happens if the accident involves a
foreign Vehicle (e.g. Malaysian registered Car) and
the driver refuses to exchange particulars?
If the other motorist is not cooperative in furnishing
his particulars, the owner should still take down the
vehicle registration number. For an accident involving
a Malaysian vehicle, a police report is required.
5a. If I
have an accident and the other driver bangs my car in
the rear, can I go back to my own designated workshop
after reporting to my own insurance company within 24
hours?
Please refer to your own insurer on the terms and
conditions of the policy you purchased from them.
5b. Is
it compulsory for me to go back to my authorised
workshop even though it is not my fault?
Please refer to your own insurer on the terms and
conditions of the policy you purchased from them.
5c. If
the accident happens on the weekend, does the 24 hours
rule still apply?
The MCF states that the end of the next working day is
the timeframe for reporting – meaning if the accident
happens on a Saturday night, then Monday would be the
next working day.
5d. If I have a serious accident in Malaysia and
have problems towing the car back to Singapore, will I
be penalised when I am unable to report within the
stipulated 24 hours?
You will not be penalised for late reporting if you
have a valid reason like the example cited above.
6. I understand that every accident must now be
reported. Would it be possible for some kind of
memorandum of agreement to be signed by both parties
in very minor accidents where two parties agree to
settle on their own?
A memorandum of agreement would be a private matter
between the two parties, but it would not alter the
requirement under the MCF that both parties now have
to make a report to their insurers. A memorandum of
agreement should not supercede or be regarded as a
substitute for this process.
7. I am a new driver and I heard most of my friends
and colleagues said that once you reported a minor
accident to my insured policy company, your premium on
next renewal would be heavily increased. If so, I
would think that most motorists would not report minor
accidents based on MCF method; they would prefer to
settle privately. Please advise.
The GIA reminds all motorists it is now their duty to
report all accidents, no matter how small and
regardless of whether or not there has been damage to
their vehicle. The consequent impact on NCD and
premiums are not affected by the MCF and will be
determined by the outcome of the insurer’s
investigations into the accident.
8. We are a motor rental company and there are
several concerns that need to be addressed.
i) Our main concern is that as most of our hirers are
foreigners, they would therefore be unfamiliar with
this. And furthermore if the accident vehicle is still
drivable, they would likely to report to us only when
they return the vehicle to us which might be more than
24 hours after the accident.
If this is the case, how would this affect us?
Would the insurance company still extend coverage
after the given 24 hour period?
Kindly refer to the terms and conditions of your
insurance policies regarding your rental fleet. The 24
hour requirement will apply to all vehicles including
rentals. We also encourage you to highlight this
requirement to your hirer when he collects the car.
ii) It is also reported in the newspapers that in the
event of accident, vehicle owners will contact the
insurance companies and the insurers will make the
necessary arrangements for the insured.
Does this apply to us? If our hirers have an
accident in Malaysia, what would the procedures be
like?
Please check with your own insurer on the procedure
for accident in Malaysia. Each insurer may have his
own arrangements with towing companies in Malaysia.
iii) Is
it compulsory to take and submit digital pictures of
the accident?
No, it is not compulsory to take and submit digital
pictures, but it is strongly encouraged as it will
help your insurer assess your claim speedily and
efficiently.
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