Private Car Insurance in Singapore

Is car insurance compulsory in Singapore?

Yes. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) says every vehicle used on Singapore roads must have motor insurance at all times, and the insurance must at least cover third-party liability for death and bodily injury. Insurance must cover the whole road tax renewal period before you can renew road tax. LTA also states that using a vehicle without valid insurance is an offence, with a fine of up to S$1,000, imprisonment of up to 3 months, or both, and disqualification from driving for at least 12 months.

Comprehensive, third-party fire & theft, and third-party only

Liberty’s private car policy is offered at three levels. This is how Liberty’s public summary of benefits describes them:

• Comprehensive: your car for accidental loss or damage by fire, theft and other insured causes, plus windscreen damage, plus your legal liability to third parties.
• Third-party, fire & theft: loss or damage to your car by fire or theft, plus your legal liability to third parties. It does not cover accidental damage to your own car from other causes.
• Third-party only: your legal liability for death or bodily injury to others, damage to their property and related legal costs. It does not cover your own car.

Extra benefits, such as towing, personal accident and medical expenses, differ by level and by plan. Liberty’s own summary says the actual terms under your policy may differ, so we show you the policy schedule and wording with the quotation. Liberty’s proposal form also lists plan options within comprehensive cover, with their own terms.

No-claim discount (NCD) basics

NCD is a reduction in your renewal premium when you do not make a claim. Liberty’s policy wording sets out a scale that starts at 10% after one claim-free year and goes up to 50% after five or more consecutive claim-free years. The wording also explains that making a claim can reduce or remove the discount at the next renewal. The proposal form asks for your current NCD, the vehicle it was earned on and your current insurer if you are moving the discount across. Liberty also offers an NCD Protector. Liberty’s form says it cannot be transferred to another insurer and will not necessarily protect you if your insurer does not renew or cancels the policy. Your actual NCD depends on your record and is shown in the quotation.

Excess

The excess is the amount you pay towards a claim yourself. Excess amounts and conditions are stated in your policy schedule. Liberty’s summary lists a waiver of basic excess as a feature of comprehensive cover, subject to the policy terms. A higher excess is not always better: ask us to show the excess next to every quotation, and read it before you sign. Liberty’s wording also allows you to authorise a repair only if the estimate is within a small authorised limit, and requires you to send a detailed estimate to the insurer without delay; larger repairs need the insurer’s approval first.

Authorised workshop versus any workshop

In general, car insurance plans handle repairs in one of two ways. With an authorised (panel) workshop, the insurer directs repairs to workshops it has arranged, which can simplify claims. With any workshop of your choice, you have more freedom, though the insurer may need to approve the estimate and the terms or excess can differ. Which applies to you depends on the plan option, so we confirm the workshop terms in writing before you decide, rather than assume.

Documents we usually need

• Your NRIC (and the main driver’s details, if different)
• Vehicle details: registration number, make, model and year, as shown in your LTA vehicle records
• Your driving and claims history, including your current NCD and insurer, and the policy expiry date if you are renewing
• Details of any modifications or accessories

Send these by WhatsApp or email and we ask Liberty for a quotation. Tell us your road tax expiry date if it is close: LTA says motor insurance must be in place for the whole road tax period, and for digital renewal you should buy it at least one working day ahead.

Questions about private car insurance? WhatsApp us on 8898 8396 or email [email protected].

Quotes are indicative and subject to Liberty Insurance’s terms, excess and exclusions. Cover starts only when Liberty issues the policy after a signed proposal and payment.