Anyone that has been in an accident can tell you how quickly the tow truck guys show up and try to hustle your car to their workshop. Their predatory instincts are second to none. Intimidation, coercion and lies are their weapons of choice; these people will do whatever it takes to get their hooks on your car. And it doesn't matter if your insurance provider offers free towing service or not.
As we've always advised, the first step is to call the hotline number of your car insurance provider. They will guide you through the following steps. Yet, these steps can be time-consuming and daunting, especially when one has to face the police.
Allianz General Insurance Company has put in place services that alleviate the stresses that come with vehicle accidents. One of the services offered, the Bike Brigade, will arrive at the scene approximately 20 minutes, within the Klang Valley, to ward off the tow-truck hustlers until Allianz's own truck comes along. They'll take the punches when they need to.
Then, Allianz's Claim Concierge is based at selected police stations to meet you and assist you in lodging the report while explaining the next steps. That aside, the insurance provider also offers a 24-hour helpline, e-hailing vouchers, fast claims approval and vehicle delivery after repairs.
Ultimately, it is Allianz's mission to make the entire motor claim process transparent. As you may already know, motor claim fraud has latched onto the industry like a tapeworm. It is a billion-ringgit scam that has fed many. So it comes as no surprise that your insurance company is billed for a new replacement part that is actually refurbished.
"There are many parties that monetise motor claims to their own benefit under a cloud of lack of clarity and mystery surrounding the whole motor claims process that most customers are not wise to," said Allianz Malaysia Berhad CEO, Zakri Khir, during a recent press briefing. "This gets magnified when customers do not know their rights as consumers — that your insurer is there to serve you needs, not the other way round."
Changes were made to the insurance provider's panel workshops. Allianz Authorised Repairers consists of PIAM Approved Repairers Scheme (PARS) workshops via an e-tender. At present, Allianz counts 195-panel workshops, with 49 of them are located in the Klang Valley. Allianz even offers a two-year warranty for the repairs, including spare parts.
Sean Wang, CEO Designate of Allianz General, said that shoddy works will be given warnings; three strikes, and they are out of the panel. This is something all drivers can appreciate.