Got into an accident with a vehicle that's part of a police convoy? Here's how the insurance claims work

Credit: BH Online

Owners of vehicles involved in collisions involving a convoy of vehicles being accompanied by law enforcement, particularly the police, may still be entitled to insurance reimbursement for the damages sustained.

The claim, however, can only be made on a private car that was being accompanied by law enforcement at the time of the incident; but not when a government-owned vehicle is involved.

A spokesperson for the General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM) said that in the event of an accident involving a private vehicle with a police vehicle, a claim will be made on the insurance of the owner of the private vehicle itself.

Credit: Roadblock JPJ/Polis Facebook Page

"Typically, the decision will be made based on discussion or judgement between the drivers of the police car and the private vehicle’s owner involved.”

The driver of a private car can make a claim on a privately owned vehicle that is being escorted by the authorities in any situation depending on who was at fault when the accident occurred, the spokesperson clarified.

Furthermore, insurance claims for accidents involving both private vehicles and government-owned vehicles that involve emergency situations, such as police cars transporting dignitaries, ambulances, firefighters, and other law enforcement agencies, are typically made using the information from the owner of the private vehicle.

This is due to the use of government vehicles, which should be given priority by all drivers when emergency lights and sirens are activated.

In addition, if there is an accident between the driver of a private vehicle and the driver of another private vehicle due to the route of a convoy escorted by the police, fire brigade or ambulance, then the insurance claim process will be made normally based on the situation of the accident.

Previously, a short video recording went viral showing a police-escorted convoy of two flatbed tow trucks that dangerously sliced through traffic across a narrow back road by driving over the double line on Jalan Gua Musang. This drew much drew criticism from the public.

The acting Kelantan police chief, Datuk Muhamad Zaki Harun, stated that the patrol car's usage as an escort vehicle had adequately warned other road users as both its emergency lights were on and sirens blared.

Muhamad Zaki further insisted that the vehicle had valid movement and instructions to accompany the convoy.

“The escort car is carrying out the task of regulating and controlling traffic in accordance with Section 21 of the Police Act 1967 which is the duty on public roads”, he added.

He claimed that because they are on duty, escort vehicles are bound by their own set of rules.

Credit: The Star