PIAM OFFERS 3Cs GUIDELINE TO PROPER MOTOR INSURANCE COVERAGE

Kuala Lumpur, 14 December 2001 -- The General insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM) offers a simple 3Cs guidelines to help consumers ensure that they are indeed properly insured.

Consumers are advised to:

• Complete their motor insurance proposal forms honestly and accurately before signing it.
• Check their policies upon receipt to ensure the information stated is accurate.
• Contact their insurers if the information in their policies is inaccurate or they need to update the information in their existing policies.

Whether it is buying a new or renewing an existing motor policy or when submitting a claim, PIAM's Executive Director C.F. Lim said that it is critical that consumers provide the following information accurately:

1. New IC number of Policyholder / Driver
2. Make and Model of Vehicle
3. Year of Manufacture of Vehicle
4. Capacity of Vehicle
5. Gender of Policyholder / Driver
6. Age of Policyholder
7. Residence Address of Policyholder / Location where Claim Occurred

Lim also advises consumers to never sign blank proposal forms. The information contained in the proposal forms the basis of the insurance contract and, if not accurate, may result in the contract being repudiated in event of a claim. This is an important responsibility on the part of the consumer in ensuring that they receive the cover that they pay for.

Consumers are also advised to check through their policies upon receipt to ensure that the information provided in the proposal form have been correctly transferred to the policy document. The policy is the official contract between the consumer and the insurance company and hence, must be accurate and updated.

Furthermore, consumers, to safeguard their own interest, must report any discrepancies in either their proposal forms or the policy documents to their insurers.

"There have been cases where the consumers have had their cars stolen and filed their claims with their insurance companies only to discover that they have third party and not comprehensive insurance covers," says Lim.

Besides strongly urging consumers to provide accurate information and checking their documents to ensure that they receive the cover that they have paid for, Lim says that PIAM also collates this data from its member companies for statistical analysis so as to continue its work towards a fairer and more equitable motor premium rating. The information is also used in identifying and combatting incidences of motor insurance fraud.

PIAM is the national trade association of all the licensed general insurance companies in Malaysia. Currently, PIAM has 54 member companies.

PIAM'S TIPS ON DRIVING SAFELY
Focus on your driving

• Drive with a large "anticipation zone". Look down the road far enough to get a big picture of what's ahead.
• Keep your radio at a reasonable volume.
• Do not drive when under stress.
• Don't talk to passengers too much and if need be, ask them to help navigate.
• Do not day dream.

Make sure you can see clearly

• Get annual eye check-ups.
• Clean the inside and outside of your windshield and windows. Clean the mirrors and headlights, too. Dirt can reduce headlight output by as much as 70 per cent.
• Turn on your lights when driving in the rain, no matter what time of day it is. Slow down in rainy weather.
• Always turn lights on when driving during the half hour before sunset and the half hour after sunrise.
• Do not wear tinted glasses or sunglasses when driving in low light.

Take extra steps to be a cautious driver

• Always tell other drivers what you intend to do. Use your directional signals. Position your car in the proper lane. When necessary, use your horn to show your intentions.
• Check your mirrors frequently.
• Glance over your shoulder, and in your mirrors, before changing lanes. Do not assume that only using turn signals will make the move safe.
• Always look behind before putting the car in reverse.
• Watch for flashing lights from emergency vehicles, as you may not always hear the siren.
• Adjust the headrest so that the top of the headrest is aligned with the top of the driver's head. This prevents incidence of whiplash in event of collision.

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