I understand there is a new insurance practice of purchasing/renewaing motor insurance. Can you please explain this to me? Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan Raya (JPJ) has announced that effective 2nd January 2005, electronic motor cover notes will only be accepted for road tax issuance. The electronic motor cover notes will replace the current use of manual cover notes. Why is the new system "e-cover notes" implemented? The implementation of the new system is to reduce registration time and deter problems like lost or fake cover notes. How does the e-cover notes system work? This system involves electronic link between insurance company and JPJ. AXA AFFIN's authorized agents are given sactions to use this system to send the relevant data to JPJ for road tax registration and renewal purposes. How long will it take for my insurance data to be transmitted to JPJ? Almost immediately, depending on the transmission traffic volume to JPJ. If there are no interruptions, you may renew your road tax within the next few hours. Should I have any problems at JPJ, who should I refer to? Please call the following persons for assistance, if you purchase/renew your insurance from: AXA AFFIN Agent - please contact your AXA AFFIN Agent AXA AFFIN Office - please contact the branch concerned How will this system affect me? JPJ will only accept electronic cover notes from 2nd January 2005. Will I be given any physical copy? Yes, you can request for a copy of the transmitted motor cover note from your AXA AFFIn agent or the AXA AFFIN Office servicing you Who can I contact if I need to know more about the implementation of e-cover notes? Please call our Toll-Free Line 1-800-888-441 for more information. Our toll free line is open from 9am-5pm, Mondays to Fridays, except public holidays. Please visit our website www.axa.com.my. Can I still renew my road tax at any Post Office? Yes, you can.

E-cover Note System To Be Launched In September Or October 12 July 2004, By BERNAMA

RAWANG, July 12 (Bernama) -- The Transport Ministry will launch the issuance of electronic motor cover notes, called E-Cover Note system in September or October this year, says its Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy. The system, involving electronic link between insurance companies and the Road Transport Department (RTD), would enable on-line submission and verification of related insurance details necessary for the registration of vehicles. Chan said that he hoped the implementation of E-Cover Note would not only reduce registration time but also deter problems like fake insurance cover notes. Speaking at a press conference after launching "Kembara CT Elegance" a new variant of Perodua Kembara at Perodua's plant here, he said the ministry took some time to launch E-Cover Note as it wanted a fully-operational system. "I have been told that they (the service providers of E-Cover Note) are now fully prepared for the launch, especially in terms of technical aspects for its introduction," he said. To a question, the minister said that the E-Cover note system would not lead to increased costs to automotive buyers. "It will be borne by the insurance companies. It is an added service to the consumers," he said.

On another note, Chan said his ministry would be launching a big scale campaign next month to educate motorcyclists on the importance of wearing helmets for their own safety. The non-wearing of helmets and the improper wearing of helmets have resulted in head injuries which contribute to 58 percent of road accident deaths, he said. "According to a survey, 34 percent of motorcyclists are very stubborn. They don't want to wear helmets. Every year 3,500 motorcyclists die due to road accidents," he said. On Kembara CT Elegance, Chan commended Perodua for adding safety features into its vehicles in line with the commitment made by the automotive manufacturer in a dialogue with his ministry several months ago. Chan said his ministry was closely monitoring other car manufacturers to see if whether they abided to their commitment to add safety features in their new models, particulary by fitting in airbags and rear safety belts. The 1.3 liter Kembara CT Elegance is fitted with passive and active safety features of ABS and dual airbags respectively. It also features leather seats, leather steering wheel, a newly designed alloy rim and comes with an on-the-road price of slightly below RM60,000. Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) chairman Tan Sri Asmat Kamaludin said that the company was commited to offering anti-lock braking system (ABS) and airbags when it introduces new models in the future. He said the additional cost for fitting the airbags reaches up to RM2,000 while the ABS up to RM1,300.

PIAM offers 3Cs guideline to proper insurance coverage, by PIAM

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:

• New IC number of Policyholder
• Driver Make and Model of Vehicle
• Year of Manufacture of Vehicle
• Capacity of Vehicle
• Gender of Policyholder / Driver
• Age of Policyholder
• 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.