Malaysian Motorists Ill Prepared For Natural Disasters, Says Survey

According to a survey conducted by Zurich in September, Malaysian drivers are ill prepared to face natural disasters. The pool consisted of 1,201 participants of which 990 are vehicle owners. About 59% of motorists do not have adequate protection against flood damage. This may be a foolhardy decision considering how badly we are affected by monsoon seasons.

But that isn’t the only alarming statistic because only 34% of motorists have insurance coverage for storms including falling trees while only 29% are covered for landslides. Though Malaysia is considered one of the least affected countries by major disasters like earthquakes or hurricanes, we are still vulnerable to flash floods, hail and falling trees.

It’s important for motorists to have sufficient insurance coverage against said disasters especially during the current Northeast Monsoon season which will last till March 2022. About 36% of respondents from the survey prefer insurance plans that cover all drivers while 34% applied for just named drivers.

Since the advent of car insurance apps like Zurich and Etiqa, you’ll be able to apply for motor insurance from the comfort of your living room. But that isn’t all, by comparing quotes from multiple insurance portals, you can choose a plan that is reasonably priced and offers the best coverage.

However, only 43% of the 990 respondents apply via online portals while 38% still prefer to engage third party agents. To get the best deal and ensure that your vehicle is fully protected, it’s best to cut out the middle man. Insurance apps and online portals from reputable insurance agencies offer a one-stop shop for both insurance and road tax renewal.

Credit: Zurich Malaysia

The best thing about this arrangement is that it takes the legwork out of the entire ordeal. The details of your motor insurance are emailed to you while for a small fee, you can have your road tax delivered to your front door. Gone are the days when we were held to ransom by unscrupulous insurance agents with a hidden agenda.

It doesn’t matter what car you drive, having the right insurance plan will save you from a lot of the pain and suffering in the long run.