What Most Malaysians Forget About Their Insurance - Until It’s Too Late!

Having insurance is comforting for when life throws a curveball, like a breakdown in the middle of rush hour or a sudden fender bender. However, that reassurance quickly fades when you realize you might not have the coverage you need.

Too often, vehicle owners in Malaysia will only ever think about getting motor insurance during an emergency. Even more concerning, the Vehicle Theft and Accident Reduction Council of Malaysia (VTAREC) has reported that thousands of motor vehicles are completely uninsured.

Based on a study of 740,000 cases of road accidents in 2023, only 299,000 cases (40%) were filed for insurance claims. And while there’s a 11% decline of recorded claims in 2024, VTAREC believes it is likely due to vehicle owners not possessing motor insurance—which can have serious consequences.

So, before the unexpected happens, make sure to look into the right insurance plan for you today. And even if you’re already insured, it might still be worth rechecking your policy just to be sure you’re not missing out on the coverage you need.

To help you stay one step ahead, Liberty General Insurance has outlined 5 key insurance details every vehicle owner needs to look out for:

1. Roadside Assistance Availability

When you’re stuck on the side of the road with no idea who to call, you might panic and completely forget that your insurance plan includes 24/7 roadside assistance. In reality, roadside assistance is often a part of a comprehensive plan benefit.

If you’re not aware of it or don’t know how to activate it, have a quick check of your policy coverage and learn how to access it. Better yet, check if it’s accessible via an app or digital platform so you can activate it instantly during emergencies.

2. Coverage After Major Life Changes

You might have just gotten married or have welcomed a child to a family. Big life moments like these affect your insurance needs. Maybe your spouse now drives your car, or you’ve switched vehicles entirely. But if your policy isn’t updated to reflect these changes, you, your property and your loved ones could be left unprotected.

It’s easy to forget, but regularly reviewing and updating your coverage ensures your plan keeps up with your life.

3. “Comprehensive” Doesn’t Mean Everything’s Covered

While “comprehensive” sounds all-inclusive, it often has limits—especially when it comes to natural disasters, custom parts, or car theft.

It’s important to go beyond the label and understand exactly what your plan includes, as well as what doesn’t. If there are certain elements that you think you might need in the future, it’s worth updating your plan before they become urgently in need for protection against financial losses.

4. The Hidden Cost of Minor Accidents

It’s easy to brush off a small hit or a scrape—until the repair bill arrives. Even seemingly minor damage can lead to surprisingly high repair costs, especially with modern vehicles that rely on sensors, cameras, and special parts.

Even though it seems like it’s not worth the hassle to claim through your insurance, paying out of pocket for even minor repairs can still be a big financial hit especially if towing or replacement parts are involved. The right insurance plan can help ease the burden when small problems turn into costly ones.

5. Policy Accessibility

Whether it’s your first time getting insurance or you’ve been paying for the same policy for years, many people still struggle to find their insurance details in times of need. If you can’t pull up your policy right away in an emergency, you could end up paying out of pocket for something your plan covers.

And with the modern era, keeping your insurance details tucked away in your home drawer or glove compartment just isn’t practical anymore, especially when emergencies don’t wait for you to dig through papers. Explore digital options instead, where your documents are just a tap away. It will allow you to request assistance, track claims, and stay updated in real time, all from your phone and at your comfort.

Liberty General Insurance’s Digital Roadside Assistance

Thankfully, modern insurance is catching up to real-life needs. Liberty General Insurance offers Digital Roadside Assistance (DRA), letting you request roadside support, track help in real-time, and manage the entire claims process, all from your phone.

Available via three distinct One Touch applications for Liberty Insurance, Kurnia Insurans, and AmAssurance, DRA is designed to transform how Malaysian drivers handle road emergencies in the digital age.