KUALA LUMPUR: The General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM) has clarified insurance coverage for electric vehicle (EV) owners and property owners following a recent fire in Cheras involving an EV home charger that reportedly caused extensive property damage.
PIAM Chief Executive Officer Chua Kim Soon said standard Malaysian motor and property insurance policies provide coverage for specified risks, including fire, subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of the respective policies.
He said standard Houseowner and Fire insurance policies generally cover fire damage regardless of the source of ignition, provided there is no fraud, deliberate act or other applicable breach of policy conditions.
“Permanently installed or hard-wired EV chargers may be categorised under the ‘buildings’ section of a home insurance policy as fixtures and fittings.
“Unattached or portable charging cables typically fall under specialised EV motor insurance policies or add-on packages offered by insurers,” he said in a statement.
Chua said professional installation and compliance with electrical safety standards were important considerations when insurers assessed claims.
He said homeowners were required to take reasonable precautions and maintain electrical safety standards, while insurers would assess official investigation reports, including those from the Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia, to establish the cause of a fire and rule out deliberate acts such as arson, fraud or non-compliance with statutory requirements.
This includes illegal or uncertified electrical modifications or installations.
He also advised homeowners to notify their insurers when installing a permanent EV charger.
“Declaring electrical upgrades ensures the property’s Sum Insured reflects current rebuilding costs and helps provide clarity on the policy’s coverage during the claims process,” he said.
PIAM said property owners should also ensure their Sum Insured was adequate to avoid underinsurance, taking into account home modifications and modern fixtures.
Homeowners may use PIAM’s complimentary Building Cost Calculator at bcc.piam.org.my to estimate rebuilding costs.
PIAM also advised homeowners to review their third-party liability protection, given the potential for fire or electrical incidents to spread to neighbouring properties, particularly in terrace homes and high-rise residences.
While standard Houseowner policies generally provide a public liability limit of RM50,000, policyholders can purchase optional extensions to increase the limit.
EV owners were further advised to review both their motor and home insurance policies to identify potential gaps and ensure comprehensive protection for the vehicle, charging equipment and residential structure.
Homeowners and EV owners with questions about policy terms or available add-on options may contact any of PIAM’s 19 member general insurance companies.
The full list of PIAM members is available at PIAM member companies.
