Malaysians visit Singapore all the time, be it for work, vacation, or to visit friends and family. After all, it’s convenient for us to drive to Singapore considering its close proximity.
Just like in Malaysia, anything can happen when you’re driving in Singapore, including getting into a fender bender. Compared to getting into a road accident in Malaysia, the process of getting help or making a car accident insurance claim might be a little different in Singapore.
So, what should you do if you find yourself in a car accident while driving in Singapore? Here are the steps you can take in that event.
Steps to Take in a Road Accident
1. First, Stay Calm
The first and most crucial step is to stay calm and don’t panic when you’re involved in any road accident. Take a moment to assess the situation, take a deep breath, and calm your mind. Things may be chaotic for a while, but panicking will only make you more flustered and unable to react rationally.
Assess any damage and check if anyone is injured as a result of the accident. If there are injuries, you must contact the emergency hotline for an ambulance.
2. Call an Ambulance
If the accident involves injuries to any party, call an ambulance immediately so that the victims can receive treatment. Unlike Malaysia, which uses one hotline for all emergency services, the hotlines for the police and ambulance in Singapore are different.
The hotline for an ambulance or emergency medical services is 995. If you plan to visit Singapore, it’s a good idea to save this number.
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3. Contact the Authorities
If you’re involved in a road accident while driving in Singapore, you have to contact the authorities. And one of the first parties you need to contact is the Singapore police. The police hotline in Singapore is 999.
Once the police officers arrive, they will take your statement. Make sure you have identification documents such as your passport and vehicle documents like your driver’s license.
Be sure to cooperate with the authorities there so you can settle your situation smoothly.
4. Tow Your Damaged Car
Depending on the damage to your car, you may need to tow it off the road. The damaged car will be towed to a nearby parking area near where the accident occurred. Most likely, the car will be towed by the road authorities. If you’re unsure how to do it, you can ask the police when they arrive at the scene.
Image source: Bjak
5. Make a Police Report
Just like if you were in an accident in Malaysia, you need to make a police report in Singapore. While at the accident scene, if you’re given any documents by the police, make sure to bring those documents to the police station to make the report.
If you forget or don’t make a police report, you may encounter problems when leaving Singapore later on. So, make sure to file a police report if your condition permits. The report is also necessary when you make your auto/car accident insurance claim.
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6. Contact Your Family
If you’re involved in a road accident in Singapore, you may need to inform your closest family members or friends. They may be able to help you if you’re injured or have trouble handling matters with the authorities there.
7. Tow Your Car Out of Singapore
After the formalities are completed, you can tow your car back to Malaysia. There are several options for towing your car back into Malaysia. Your first option is to use the towing service provided by your car insurance provider. For this, you need to contact your insurance provider first.
Some insurance providers offer free towing from Singapore to Malaysia, so check if it applies to you. Alternatively, you can choose to use other towing services to bring your car back to Malaysia.
Regardless of the option you choose, make sure to provide accurate information about where your car was last parked. This can facilitate the work of the towing service in bringing your car back to Malaysia.
Also, make sure to include the address for the destination of your car. You can choose to have it towed directly to your home or to any workshop of your choice.
If I Rent a Car & Get into an Accident, What Should I Do?
Some Malaysians visit Singapore and rent a car there. But what should you do if you’re involved in an accident then? Well, the same procedures apply when you’re involved in an accident in a rental car. You just need to inform the car rental company that you’ve been in an accident.
Depending on the situation, you may be responsible for the cost of repairing the car if you were at fault for the accident.
Can You Claim Insurance if Your Car Is in an Accident in Singapore?
So what if you get into a road accident in Singapore? Can you claim insurance to cover the repair costs?
The answer is yes and no.
Each car insurance policy has limits to its area of coverage, which refers to the geographical area where the car is covered. Many Malaysian car insurance policies cover the car in case of an accident in Malaysia and in neighboring countries such as Singapore and Brunei.
However, some policies might only cover your car in Malaysia, meaning that if your car is damaged in an accident outside of Malaysia, you are likely unable to claim insurance to repair your car.
That’s why it’s crucial to check your car insurance policy before driving to another country.
If your insurance policy doesn’t cover you while driving in Singapore, you may need to purchase additional coverage to protect your car while you’re there. It may cost extra, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
What to Do If You Hit Another Car in Singapore?
If you hit another vehicle while driving in Singapore, the steps for dealing with it are similar to what’s mentioned above. However, you need to provide the details of your car’s insurance policy to facilitate any insurance claim from the other party.
Additionally, you may need to provide other information and documents, such as your full name, driver’s license, identification card, passport, current address, and more. Allow them to take pictures of the relevant documents to help with their insurance claims.
Never attempt to flee the scene. There can be severe consequences if you try to run away when you’re at fault. You might be apprehended by the Singaporean police. Even if you manage to escape, you may be blacklisted from entering Singapore in the future.
If you plan to drive into Singapore, make sure to drive carefully and familiarize yourself with the road rules in Singapore.
The Importance of Having Car Insurance While Driving!
Because there’s always a risk of an accident, it’s essential to ensure that your car insurance is always active. It not only protects you in case of an accident but can cover the other involved party in case you’re at fault.
Also, make sure you have a copy of your insurance policy, either in physical or digital form, as a precaution. If your insurance is about to expire, make sure to renew it before driving.
Renew Your Car Insurance with CARSOME
The CARSOME website now offers a new feature that allows you to get a quote and renew your car insurance instantly. Here’s why you should consider renewing your car insurance on the CARSOME website:
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- Get a quote in less than 15 minutes.
- Quotes from multiple insurance companies.
- Get insurance expiration reminders.
- Customize your plan according to your needs.
Want to renew your car insurance? Just visit CARSOME or download the CARSOME app now for your peace of mind!
