Hit-and-Run in Malaysia: How to Claim Car Insurance Without Losing Your NCD
Summary: After a hit-and-run accident in Malaysia, prioritise your safety, collect as much evidence as possible, and lodge a police report within 24 hours. If the other driver cannot be identified, you may make Own Damage claim under your comprehensive car insurance, but your NCD could be affected.
A hit-and-run happens when a driver causes or is involved in an accident but leaves the scene without stopping or sharing their details.
It may involve:
Another car hitting your vehicle and driving away
A driver damaging your parked car and leaving
A motorcycle scratching or knocking your car before escaping
A vehicle causing an accident without making direct contact
Even if the damage looks minor, do not ignore it. Without the other vehicle’s registration number or driver details, making a car insurance claim can become more difficult.
Before you proceed to the article, discover the top three mistakes drivers make when filing car insurance claims.
What Should You Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident?
The first few minutes matter. Evidence collected at the scene can help the police identify the vehicle and support your NCD claim or car insurance claim later.
1. Stop Somewhere Safe
Turn on your hazard lights and move your car to a safe location if it is blocking traffic or causing a danger. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries.
Call 999 immediately if anyone is injured or the accident poses a danger to other road users.
2. Record the Other Vehicle’s Details
If you saw the vehicle, write down whatever you can remember:
Registration number
Car make and model
Vehicle colour
Direction in which it escaped
Description of the driver
Time and exact location of the accident
Even a partial number plate may help the police with their investigation.
3. Take Photos and Videos
Capture clear images of:
Damage to your car
The overall accident location
Road markings and traffic signs
Debris or broken vehicle parts
Skid marks
Nearby shops, houses or CCTV cameras
Save your dashcam recording immediately. Some dashcams automatically overwrite older footage, so transfer the file to your phone or computer as soon as possible.
4. Look for Witnesses and CCTV Footage
Ask nearby drivers, pedestrians or shop owners whether they witnessed the car accident. Record their names and contact details with their permission.
You can also ask nearby premises whether their CCTV captured the accident. Act quickly because some systems delete recordings after a short period.
5. Make a Car Accident Police Report Within 24 Hours
Under Section 52(2) of the Road Transport Act 1987, a driver involved in an accident must report it to the nearest police station as soon as reasonably practicable and within 24 hours.
Your car accident police report should clearly state that the other driver left the scene. Include every detail you remember without guessing or exaggerating.
Bring along:
Your driving licence
Vehicle information
Car insurance policy details
Photos and videos
Dashcam footage
Witness details
Medical documents, if applicable
The police report is an important document when learning how to claim car insurance for a car accident. You should make your own report even if another person promises to do it.
6. Contact Your Car Insurer
Notify your insurer or insurance provider as soon as possible. Explain that it was a hit-and-run and follow the insurer’s claim instructions.
Use your insurer’s authorised towing service if the car cannot be driven. Avoid accepting help from unknown tow truck operators, signing unfamiliar documents or approving repairs before your insurer inspects the vehicle.
If you renew your car insurance through PolicyStreet, you can find the contact details for the authorised panel workshops here.
Can You Claim Car Insurance After a Hit-and-Run?
Yes, but the available claim route depends on your car insurance coverage and whether the other vehicle can be identified.
Claiming Under Comprehensive Car Insurance
Comprehensive car insurance generally covers accidental damage to your own vehicle, subject to the policy’s terms, conditions and exclusions.
If the hit-and-run driver cannot be identified, you may need to submit an own-damage claim under your comprehensive car insurance. You may also need to pay any applicable excess.
Most importantly, an own damage claim will generally cause your NCD discount to drop to 0% at the next renewal unless you have NCD protection or your insurer confirms that an exception applies.
Learn what you should do if your NCD drops to 0%.
Claiming Under Third-Party Car Insurance
Third-party car insurance mainly protects you against liability for bodily injury, death or property damage suffered by another party.
It does not normally pay to repair damage to your own car. Therefore, if you only have third-party car insurance and the hit-and-run driver cannot be found, you will usually have to bear your own repair costs.
This is one reason comprehensive car insurance offers greater protection, particularly for drivers who depend on their cars daily.
Want to compare the differences first? Read our guide to comprehensive car insurance in Malaysia.
What If the Hit-and-Run Driver Is Identified?
If the police identify the other vehicle and determine that its driver was at fault, you may be able to:
Make a third-party property damage claim against the other driver’s insurer; or
Submit an Own Damage Knock-for-Knock (OD KFK) claim through your own comprehensive insurer, subject to eligibility and supporting documents
An eligible OD-KFK claim is usually faster than dealing directly with the other insurer and should not affect your NCD. However, approval depends on the police findings, the other vehicle’s insurance status and your insurer’s requirements.
Explore how this works in our OD-KFK car insurance claim guide.
Will a Hit-and-Run Claim Affect Your NCD Car Insurance Discount?
It depends on the type of NCD claim submitted. For example:
Check with your insurer before approving the claim. For minor damage, compare the repair cost against the NCD discount you may lose at your next car insurance renewal.
For example, losing a 55% NCD could cost more over time than paying for a small scratch yourself. However, paying privately may not be practical when the damage involves expensive sensors, lights, cameras or body panels.
What Is the NCD Insurance Meaning?
NCD stands for No Claim Discount. It is a discount on the basic premium of your car insurance when no claim is made under your policy during the previous coverage period.
Some drivers also call it car insurance NCB, meaning No Claim Bonus. In Malaysia, NCD is the more commonly used term.
The standard private-car NCD rates generally progress as follows:
After 1 claim-free year: 25%
2 claim-free years: 30%
3 claim-free years: 38.33%
4 claim-free years: 45%
5 or more claim-free years: 55%
Your NCD car insurance entitlement is linked to you as the policyholder rather than permanently attached to one vehicle. Read our complete guide to NCD rates in Malaysia.
Should You Claim or Pay for the Repairs Yourself?
Consider paying for the repairs yourself when the damage is minor and the repair bill is much lower than the NCD discount you could lose.
A claim may make more sense when:
The damage is extensive
Your car is unsafe to drive
Expensive safety sensors are affected
Repair costs are beyond your budget
You have NCD protection
The other driver has been identified and an OD-KFK or third-party claim is possible
Ask the workshop for a written estimate, then request your insurer to explain how each claim route affects your NCD before deciding.
Protect Yourself Before the Next Accident
A hit-and-run can happen even when you drive carefully. A reliable dashcam, comprehensive car insurance and a clear understanding of the claim process can make the situation less stressful.
When your policy is due, compare comprehensive car insurance plans and relevant add-ons through PolicyStreet. You can review quotes from multiple insurers and choose coverage that suits your car, budget and driving needs.
Compare and renew your car insurance with PolicyStreet today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hit-and-Run Claims
1. Can I claim car insurance if I did not see the number plate?
You may submit an own-damage claim if you have comprehensive car insurance. However, if the other vehicle cannot be identified, your NCD will generally be affected.
2. Is a police report required for a hit-and-run claim?
Yes. Lodge a car accident police report as soon as reasonably practicable and within 24 hours. It supports the police investigation and your car insurance claim.
3. Will my NCD drop after a hit-and-run claim?
Your NCD discount will generally drop to 0% if you make an ordinary own-damage claim. It may be preserved through an eligible OD-KFK or third-party claim when the at-fault driver is identified.
4. Can I make an OD-KFK claim for a hit-and-run?
Potentially, but the other vehicle and its insurer normally need to be identified, with police findings supporting that the other party was at fault. Ask your insurer to confirm your eligibility.
5. Does third-party car insurance cover hit-and-run damage to my car?
No, third-party car insurance does not normally cover damage to your own vehicle. You would generally need comprehensive car insurance to make an own-damage claim.
6. What happens if my parked car is damaged and no note is left?
Photograph the damage and surrounding area, look for CCTV or witnesses, lodge a police report, and notify your insurer. The same hit-and-run claim considerations generally apply.
7. Should I repair my car before contacting the insurer?
No. Contact your insurer first and send the vehicle to an approved workshop if instructed. Repairing it before inspection may affect your claim.
8. How long does a hit-and-run insurance claim take?
There is no fixed timeframe. It depends on the police investigation, available evidence, damage assessment, document completeness and the type of claim submitted.
