Car accident in the haze: How insurance claims work in Malaysia

Driving through haze is more than an inconvenience. Reduced visibility can make it harder to spot vehicles, road markings, traffic lights and sudden hazards, increasing the risk of a collision.

If you have a car accident in Malaysia during hazy conditions, prioritise safety, document the scene, notify your insurer, make the required police report and submit the correct motor insurance claim based on who was at fault.

Key takeaways

• Report and document the accident: Take photos and videos of the vehicles, road, visibility and damage, then notify your insurer as soon as possible.

• Your insurance type matters: Comprehensive cover can protect your own car after an accident, while third-party cover generally protects you against liabilities to others.

• Fault affects your NCD: An Own Damage claim can affect your No Claim Discount, while an eligible Own Damage Knock-for-Knock claim can preserve it when you were not at fault.

• Use the right repair route: Contact your insurer before arranging repairs or engaging an independent tow operator, and check whether a panel workshop is required under your policy.

• Keep insurance and road tax valid: JPJ requires valid insurance coverage for the road tax period being renewed.

Why haze can increase the risk of a car accident

Poor visibility changes how much time you have to react. Haze can make vehicles, motorcycles, pedestrians and road signs harder to see, particularly when travelling at higher speeds or approaching junctions and traffic queues.

If visibility deteriorates, drivers should slow down, increase their following distance and use their headlights appropriately. Avoid making sudden lane changes simply because the vehicle ahead is difficult to see.

An accident during haze is still treated as a motor accident for insurance purposes. The weather or haze itself does not automatically determine which driver is responsible. The circumstances, evidence, police findings and policy terms matter.

What to do immediately after a car accident in haze

1. Get yourself and your passengers to safety

Safety comes first. If possible, move the vehicle to a safe location without creating another hazard. Turn on your hazard lights and be particularly careful when visibility is poor.

If anyone is injured, seek emergency assistance. Do not stand unnecessarily on a busy road to take photographs.

2. Photograph and record the accident scene

Document the evidence before vehicles are moved where it is safe to do so. Take photographs of the damage to every vehicle involved, number plates, road position, surrounding road conditions and relevant signs or markings.

In a haze-related collision, it can also be useful to record the visibility conditions. Dashcam footage can be particularly valuable because it may show what happened immediately before impact.

3. Exchange details with the other driver

Record the other vehicle's registration number and driver's details. Also note the insurer, if available, and take photographs of the vehicles and damage.

Do not admit fault or agree to a private settlement simply because the other driver asks you to. Let the relevant authorities and insurers assess the circumstances.

4. Notify your insurer

Contact your insurer or takaful operator as soon as possible. Your policy will set out the required claims procedure, documentation and reporting obligations.

PIAM recommends prompt notification and accurate documentation because early reporting can help the claims process.

The Motorist App can also act as a vehicle-management layer around your insurance and road tax obligations, with reminders and AutoConcierge support for motoring questions.

Do you need to make a police report after a car accident?

You should report the accident promptly and follow the reporting requirements that apply to your case and insurance policy. PIAM consumer guidance recommends lodging a police report as soon as possible, with 24 hours commonly specified where required.

The police report and investigation findings can become particularly important when determining who was at fault.

For example, Bank Negara Malaysia states that an Own Damage Knock-for-Knock claim can apply where the accident was not your fault, subject to conditions including having comprehensive cover and the case not involving a third-party bodily injury claim or public/government-owned vehicle.

How motor insurance claims work in Malaysia

There are several claim routes, and choosing the correct one matters.

Own Damage claim

An Own Damage claim is generally used when you claim against your own comprehensive policy for damage to your vehicle. If you are at fault, Bank Negara Malaysia states that making an Own Damage claim will result in the loss of your NCD entitlement.

This can make a significant difference to the cost of your next insurance renewal, so understand the NCD implications before proceeding.

Own Damage Knock-for-Knock claim

OD-KFK can be useful when another driver caused the accident and you have comprehensive insurance. Instead of pursuing the other driver's insurer directly, you may claim through your own insurer, subject to eligibility requirements.

Bank Negara Malaysia says an eligible OD-KFK claim can avoid affecting your NCD and may speed up repairs.

PIAM similarly highlights OD-KFK as a potentially more convenient route for motorists who were not at fault.

Third Party Property Damage claim

A third-party property damage claim is normally used when you were not at fault and claim against the at-fault driver's insurer. This route may involve the other insurer assessing the damage and determining liability.

Keep your police report, photographs, repair documents and other supporting evidence together. Complete documentation can help reduce unnecessary delays.

Does haze affect your car insurance claim?

Haze does not automatically mean your insurance claim will be rejected. The insurer will assess the accident according to your policy, the circumstances, evidence and applicable exclusions.

Your policy type is critical. Bank Negara Malaysia explains that comprehensive insurance covers damage to your own vehicle from an accident, while third-party cover does not cover accidental damage to your own vehicle.

Some comprehensive policies can also be extended with additional protection such as special perils, windscreen cover and other optional benefits, depending on the policy.

Check your Product Disclosure Sheet and policy wording rather than assuming every type of damage is covered.

What happens to your NCD after an accident?

Your No Claim Discount depends on the type of claim and whether you were at fault.

If you make an Own Damage claim because you caused the accident, your NCD can be affected. However, an eligible OD-KFK claim where you were not at fault can preserve your NCD.

This is why drivers should not simply choose the first claim route suggested after an accident.

What is betterment?

Betterment can apply when new franchise parts are used to repair an older vehicle. Bank Negara Malaysia states that betterment charges apply when new franchise parts replace damaged parts on accident vehicles aged 5 years and above, subject to the applicable rate.

Ask the insurer or workshop whether betterment applies before approving repairs.

Can you claim compensation for being without your car?

If you were not at fault, you may be able to claim Compensation for Actual Repair Time, or CART. Bank Negara Malaysia says CART is based on the number of days required to repair the vehicle according to the registered adjuster's recommendation, rather than simply the number of days the vehicle remains at the workshop.

The amount and eligibility depend on the circumstances and applicable claim requirements.

What documents should you keep for an insurance claim?

Create one accident folder containing every piece of evidence. Depending on the insurer and claim type, this may include:

• Police report

• Police investigation or findings

• Driver and vehicle details

• Photographs and videos of the accident

• Dashcam footage

• Insurance policy or certificate details

• Vehicle registration information

• Repair estimates and invoices

• Tow-truck or roadside assistance records

• Medical documents where injuries are involved

• Other documents requested by the insurer

Do not delete your original photographs or videos. Keep the original files where possible because they preserve useful information such as timestamps and image quality.

Should you use a panel workshop?

Check with your insurer before sending the car for repairs. Your policy may specify how repairs are handled and which workshops can be used.

PIAM has also advised motorists to contact their insurer directly before engaging independent towing services and to verify whether reimbursement is available under their particular policy.

This matters because accepting a tow from an unauthorised operator can create additional problems if the vehicle is taken somewhere you did not intend to use.

Old way vs Motorist App for staying on top of your car

The Motorist App is designed to reduce the amount of manual checking involved in everyday car ownership. It provides reminders for insurance and road tax expiry, insurance quotes and access to Personal AutoConcierge through in-app chat.

JPJ states that private-vehicle road tax can be renewed for 6 months or 1 year, provided the vehicle has insurance coverage for the requested period.

Motorist also states that its app can provide insurance quotes within 24 hours and includes reminders for road tax and insurance expiry.

Expert tip: save your insurer's emergency number before you need it

Do not wait until an accident to search for your insurer's roadside assistance number. Save it in your phone now, and keep your policy details accessible.

After a haze-related collision, stress and poor visibility can make it difficult to work out what to do next. Having your insurer's official contact channel ready can help you avoid relying on an unknown tow-truck operator or third party.

The Motorist App's AutoConcierge can also provide personalised assistance for motoring questions through its in-app chat.

Expert tip: Take a screenshot of your insurer's official roadside assistance number and save it alongside your insurance policy details before every long-distance trip.

Common mistake: agreeing to a private cash settlement too quickly

One of the biggest mistakes after a minor accident is agreeing to settle privately before properly documenting the damage. What looks like a small bumper impact can conceal damage underneath the visible bodywork.

Take photographs, exchange details and notify your insurer before agreeing to a settlement. If the other driver proposes paying cash, you should still consider your policy requirements and the potential for hidden damage.

Why your insurance matters when renewing road tax

A valid motor insurance policy is a prerequisite for road tax renewal. JPJ's guidance states that the vehicle must have insurance coverage for the period of the road tax being requested.

This means insurance and road tax are connected parts of keeping your vehicle legally usable on Malaysian roads.

The Motorist App can remind you when both your insurance and road tax are approaching expiry, helping you avoid leaving the renewal until the last minute.

How early can you renew road tax?

JPJ allows private vehicles to renew road tax when it is due to expire within 2 months. The renewal period can be 6 months or 1 year, subject to the applicable requirements.

Renewing early can give you more time to resolve an insurance-record issue if one occurs.

What if your insurance does not appear during road tax renewal?

Do not assume that paying for insurance automatically means the road tax system can immediately verify it. Motorist's 2026 guidance notes that insurance information needs to be correctly synchronised with the relevant database before JPJ can verify the coverage for renewal.

If your road tax renewal fails, contact the insurer or platform that issued your policy and confirm that the electronic insurance record has been submitted correctly.

Conclusion

A car accident in the haze can become much harder to manage if you do not document the scene, report the accident properly and understand which insurance claim route applies. Keeping your motor insurance active and your road tax renewed also helps ensure your car remains legally covered for everyday driving.

Frequently asked questions

1. Does haze affect a car insurance claim in Malaysia?

Not automatically. The insurer will assess the accident based on the policy, circumstances, evidence and applicable exclusions.

2. Do I need to make a police report after a car accident in Malaysia?

You should report the accident promptly and follow the requirements applicable to your case and policy. PIAM guidance recommends making the report as soon as possible, with 24 hours commonly specified where required.

3. Will I lose my NCD after a car accident?

It depends on the claim type and fault. An Own Damage claim can affect your NCD, while an eligible OD-KFK claim where you were not at fault can preserve it.

4. What is an OD-KFK claim?

Own Damage Knock-for-Knock allows an eligible driver who was not at fault to claim through their own insurer. It can speed up repairs and protect the NCD, subject to the applicable conditions.

5. Can I claim against the other driver's insurance?

Yes, if you were not at fault, you may make a Third Party Property Damage claim against the at-fault driver's insurer. Your evidence and police findings can be important in establishing liability.

6. Does comprehensive insurance cover accident damage to my own car?

Yes, comprehensive motor insurance generally covers accidental damage to your own vehicle. The exact benefits, exclusions and optional extensions depend on your policy.

7. What is betterment in Malaysian car insurance?

Betterment is a charge that can apply when new franchise parts are used on an older accident-damaged vehicle. Bank Negara Malaysia states that it applies to vehicles aged 5 years and above, subject to the applicable rate.

8. Can I claim for the days I cannot use my car?

If you were not at fault, you may be eligible for Compensation for Actual Repair Time, or CART. The calculation is based on the assessed repair period rather than simply the number of days the car stays at the workshop.

9. Can I use any workshop after a car accident?

Check with your insurer first. Your policy may specify the approved repair process or panel workshops, and using an unauthorised service could complicate your claim.

10. Does my car need insurance before I renew road tax?

Yes. JPJ requires the vehicle to have insurance coverage for the road tax period being renewed.

11. How long can I renew my Malaysian road tax for?

For private vehicles, JPJ allows renewal for 6 months or 1 year. The vehicle must have valid insurance for the requested period.

12. How can the Motorist App help with my car insurance and road tax?

The Motorist App provides insurance quotes, road tax and insurance expiry reminders, renewal services and AutoConcierge support. Motorist says insurance quotes can be received within 24 hours.

Renew your road tax with the Motorist App

Keep your car ownership essentials in one place with the Motorist App. Get reminders for your road tax and insurance expiry, manage your renewal and use AutoConcierge when you need help with motoring questions.

Read More: Driving in the haze: 8 safety tips for Malaysian roads

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