‘Betterment’ in motor insurance explained'

WITH reference to the recent spate of letters on the “betterment factor” in motor insurance, the General Insurance Association of Malaysia (Piam) would like to provide more information to the public.The basic premise of a motor insurance policy is to place the car owner in the same condition as he would have been in before an accident occurs. Betterment will apply when, in the course of repairing an accident-damaged vehicle, a new part is used to replace an old part.Betterment is a portion of the cost car owners have to bear when a damaged vehicle part is replaced with a brand new original part. As the car will be in a better condition compared to prior to the accident, the insurance company will require the car owner to bear the difference in costs. This is based on a scale of betterment adopted by the insurance industry as shown in the table.Consumers have the option to purchase new add-on insurance cover such as “waiver of betterment” or request for second-hand parts to avoid betterment charges.

The items that are subjected to depreciation are generally communicated to the owner. This is the practice in Malaysia. Other countries may have their own rules in their respective jurisdictions.The liberalisation of motor insurance in Malaysia started in July 2016. The general insurance industry is moving towards full liberalisation in phases, with many new and innovative products being launched to meet the evolving needs of consumers. A total of 66 new motor products have been launched in the market so far.We advise consumers to shop around for the cover that best suits their needs and budget. Policy holders are advised to read the terms and conditions of their motor policy carefully so that they are fully aware of their insurance cover and what they are entitled to claim in the event of an accident.

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THE STAR: Road safety institute invites the public to weigh in on motorcycle e-hailing

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) is carrying out a survey on road users’ perceptions on the viability of motorcycle e-hailing services from Thursday (Aug 29) until Sept 7. According to a statement issued by Miros Thursday, the online survey can be accessed via http://its.miros.gov.my/kajianteksimotosikal/ which targets motorcyclists and members of the public to gauge road users’ acceptance of the viability of motorcycle e-hailing services in the country covering several aspects including road safety, legislation, traffic flow, economics, social security, health, culture and shift in transportation modes.

"The findings from this study will be presented to the Transport Ministry to outline the mechanism for the implementation of motorcycle e-hailing services in Malaysia. As such, members of the public are invited to participate in this study to voice their views on the implementation of motorcycle e-hailing services in Malaysia, ” the statement read.

The study was carried out following the Cabinet’s decision on Aug 21 to allow for the implementation of motorcycle e-hailing services in the country based on a Proof-of-Concept (POC). However, the decision will only be finalised after a review of other important aspects conducted. - Bernama

TWENTY TWO 13 : MOTORIST IN THE DARK OVER TINTING SPECIFICATIONS, Shabana Naseer Ahmad, Senior Manager, NCCC

All Lau Wai Mee wanted to do was to get the windows of her vehicle tinted.However, she has since learnt that what was sold to her may not reflect specifications as she ponders if car owners are being taken for a ride by tinting service providers. Lau, better known as DJ MayZi during her days with a local Chinese-language radio station, went to a tinting service provider in Sungai Besi on April 27 to get her vehicle tinted.“After being told of what I wanted, I was offered a particular model that cost RM2,300 for all the windows, including the front and rear screens,” said Lau.“However, after driving my car for close to a month, I felt it was still hot and informed the sales person at the shop of my predicament. The person in charge told me to return the following month and we got the tint checked with a gadget.”Lau, a content curator and voiceover talent, said a representative from the shop used an LS110A transmission meter and the infrared rejection (IRR) showed 77 per cent.

Transmission IRR
The IRR reading shows 77 per cent.“But before purchasing the tint, I was informed that the IRR is 94 per cent. This was also reflected in a card and sample film that were given to me.“The salesperson said I could upgrade the film if I still felt hot and I would be given a discount. Why should I upgrade the film when I had already paid for what I thought was good enough?”Lau got a second opinion and found out that the infrared (IR) transmission (1,400nm) of the sample film given to her was 87.7 per cent but the IR transmission reading of the film installed on her car was 19.4 per cent.Sample film tint, when tested on another device, shows an IR transmission reading of 87.7 per cent.
sample film tint The film on the vehicle, when tested on another device, shows an IR transmission reading of 19.4 per cent.

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STRENGTHENING THE BUS SYSTEM - FOMCA

It is heartening to finally see that the Transport Minster promoting the use of the bus system. While he has emphasised the need for consumers to use the bus system to reduce subsidies, the public transport in an urban system is far more critical than that.In relation to cost of living, after food and housing expenses, transport makes up the third highest expenditure. Due to the inefficient and unreliable public transport currently, consumers are often forced to use their cars.  It is estimated that households spend about 20 to 30% of their disposal income on private transport – instalments, petrol, services, maintenance, road tax, insurance, tolls and parking charges. An efficient public transport would contribute substantial savings to the households.

The core of the public transport system is the bus system.  It is the “last mile” of the system – that is from home to office, or home to LRT station, or LRT station to the office. If the last mile of the public system is not reliable or worse not available, then consumers may have to use their private cars or taxis, which is often not affordable for low and middle income earners. Yet, the bus system has too often been ignored by policy makers.   Too often we are emphasising on LRTs and MRT’s but not on the last mile. Worse still both in major and small towns, many communities have no bus service thus forcing the purchase and use of private cars.For a public transport system to be popular, obviously it must be available. FOMCA urges the Ministry of Transport to undertake an audit of how extensive the current bus system is. We could even start in Seremban. Which are the housing areas which have access to buses and which of the communities have no buses plying their housing areas. A feasibility study can be undertaken to ensure a comprehensive bus system to ensure that all major housing areas are served by the bus system.

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Sediakan bas ekspres khas untuk wanita bagi laluan KL-Seremban - Loke

SEREMBAN: Syarikat bas ekspres yang menawarkan perkhidmatan laluan Kuala Lumpur-Seremban kini perlu menyediakan perkhidmatan bas khas untuk penumpang wanita pada waktu puncak.Menteri Pengangkutan, Anthony Loke Siew Fook, berkata arahan itu berikutan permintaan tinggi khususnya daripada kalangan penumpang wanita.“Buat masa ini, ada tiga syarikat yang menawarkan perkhidmatan bas ekspres laluan Kuala Lumpur-Seremban dan kita sudah memberitahu mereka untuk menyediakan empat ‘trip’ (perjalanan) bagi setiap jam antara jam 5 hingga 7 pagi khas untuk wanita.“Ini bagi memastikan keselesaan penumpang wanita yang menggunakan perkhidmatan itu untuk ke tempat kerja setiap pagi,” katanya kepada pemberita selepas mengadakan lawatan di Stesen Bas Terminal 1, di sini, hari ini.

Mengulas lanjut, Loke berkata jumlah trip yang sama juga perlu disediakan syarikat bas ekspres antara jam 5 hingga 7 petang dari Kuala Lumpur ke Seremban.“Kira-kira 2,000 orang menggunakan perkhidmatan bas ekspres antara dua destinasi itu pada waktu puncak. Sebab itu syarat ini hanya dikenakan kepada syarikat bas ekspres di laluan ini,” katanya.Dalam perkembangan lain, Loke turut memberi amaran kepada syarikat bas untuk mengurangkan kos tambang sehala daripada RM7 ke RM6.50 seperti yang ditetapkan sebelum ini.“Saya dimaklumkan mereka menaikkan tambang daripada RM6 kepada RM7 sejak 1 Jun lalu.“Disebabkan kadar harga siling yang ditetapkan adalah RM6.50, mereka perlu mematuhinya atau berdepan tindakan,” tegasnya.Pada masa sama, beliau turut berpuas hati apabila arahan itu dipatuhi syarikat bas ekspres apabila kos tambang itu dikurangkan.