Will I lose my NCD if I claim?
You were not the one who caused this, yet you fear your own premium will pay for it.
A claim for your own injuries and a claim for your car’s damage are different things in Malaysia, and they affect your No Claim Discount very differently.
Where the NCD worry comes from
The confusion usually comes from mixing up two routes: a claim against the other driver’s insurer for your injuries, and a claim on your own policy for your car.
The real difference between the two claim types
A third-party bodily injury claim for your injuries is made against the at-fault driver’s insurer, not your own. It does not touch your No Claim Discount, because your own policy is never called on to pay it.
An own-damage claim for your vehicle works differently. If you were not at fault and hold comprehensive cover, you may be able to claim against your own insurer under Own Damage Knock-for-Knock arrangements without losing your NCD, but this generally does not apply where there are injuries or where a bus or taxi is involved.[1]
What this means in practice
- Claiming for your injuries through the other driver’s insurer should not, by itself, touch your NCD.
- Claiming for your own vehicle damage is a separate decision with its own NCD effect.
- Whether an own-damage claim is NCD-safe depends on fault, your policy type and whether anyone was injured.
- You can pursue both claim types, and one does not decide the other.
NCD and claims sets out how the discount system works.
The limits
Policy terms and insurer practice vary, so the answer for you depends on your policy and the facts of the accident. Check your own policy before assuming a general rule applies.
What to do next
Do not let an NCD myth decide whether you claim. Do you need a lawyer is a good place to start.
An independent lawyer can take on the injury claim and deal with the insurer for you. Send the accident date, where it happened, whether anyone was injured (yes/no), and the police report status.
Need a lawyer to handle your injury claim?
For people seeking legal representation. For general information, please use our guides and tools.
Common questions
Does claiming for my injury affect my NCD?
A claim for your own injuries is generally pursued against the at-fault driver's insurer as a third-party bodily injury claim, which does not touch your own policy's No Claim Discount. Your NCD relates to claims made on your own vehicle cover.
What if I also claim for my car's damage?
That is a separate own-damage claim, and it can affect your NCD depending on who was at fault and how the claim is made. A not-at-fault driver may be able to use their own insurer without losing NCD in some situations, but not where injuries or certain vehicles are involved.
Is it true that any claim resets my NCD to zero?
No. That belief mixes up different claim types. Whether NCD is affected depends on which policy is claimed against and the specific circumstances, not on the mere fact that a claim was made.
Should I avoid claiming just to protect my NCD?
Not automatically. Weigh what you would actually lose in premium against what you would give up in compensation for a genuine injury, since these are usually very different amounts and different claim types.
Sources
- Malay Mail, on Bank Negara's motor claims and NCD framework (accessed 2026-09-22)
Need a lawyer to handle your injury claim?
For people seeking legal representation. For general information, please use our guides and tools.