Motor tariff premium rates revised

A revision in motor tariff premium rates in Malaysia will take effect from Jan 16 on a gradual basis over the next four years. Bank Negara said at a briefing that the premium adjustment, which would be implemented in small amounts over a measured pace, was expected to have only a marginal impact on the public and businesses.   For example, in respect of third-party cover, motorcycles of 100cc would experience a premium increase of between RM1 and RM3.50 per year over the next four years. For a private car of 1,400cc, the premium adjustment would be in the range of RM6 to RM34 per year over the next four years.   The premium adjustment for commercial vehicles such as outstation taxis and buses, on the other hand, would see only a minimal impact of less than 10 sen per passenger per trip.   Tariff adjustments aside, the element of loading would still apply based on the risk profile and age of the vehicles, but the maximum rate of loading would remain unchanged at 150%.   The upcoming revision in motor tariff premium rates forms part of the New Motor Cover Framework that is aimed at addressing the structural issues within the motor insurance sector to ensure continuous and sustainable motor protection to users.   It will be the first to be undertaken after more than 30 years of non-revision, despite the fact that the levels of car ownership, accident rates and claim incidences have risen significantly over the years, thus putting cost pressures on the country's motor insurance industry. Malaysia now has 19 million registered vehicles.   Under the new framework, Bank Negara said the adjustment on motor tariff premium rates would be reviewed periodically to ensure that the adjusted premium rates would be reflective of the claims experience.   The new measure was expected to pave the way for the de-tariffing of motor insurance sector in Malaysia by 2016, following which motor premium rates were expected to be further differentiated according to the risk profile of individual vehicles to ensure fairness to consumers. The new framework would also encompass enhancing efficiency in claims settlement process.   Bank Negara said the objective was to ensure that all claims would be settled within six to 18 months, compared with the present average lead time of up to five years.   As part of an initiative to enhance the efficiency, Bank Negara said it would introduce a motor insurance claims kit to expedite notification of an accident and claims as well as the establishment of a nationwide 24-hour call centre to provide immediate roadside assistance to accident victims in the first quarter.   The central bank is also working on a review of legal fees in bodily injury cases, measures to incentivise early claims notification and leverage on hospital counters to facilitate claims notification as well as the development of guidelines on long-term nursing care.   These initiatives are targeted for completion by June. source : TheStar