Check how motor and home insurance policies work together, EV owners told
KUALA LUMPUR: The recent fire at a house that started while an electric vehicle (EV) was charging has thrown the hidden costs of installing EV chargers and the insurance premiums that follow into the spotlight.
The recent fire incident in Malaysia involving an electric vehicle (EV) charging during a house fire has highlighted the hidden costs associated with installing EV chargers and the impact on insurance premiums for owners. The General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM) has reminded homeowners to review their liability coverage, as standard houseowner policies typically cap public liability at RM50,000.
This amount may be insufficient for rebuilding a home, especially after significant electrical or other upgrades. EV owners, particularly those living in landed homes, have expressed concerns about potential higher insurance costs. Installing a home EV charger can cost between RM3,000 and RM8,000, but this does not account for the additional insurance premiums that owners may face.
Standard motor policies generally provide coverage for risks such as accidental overturning, collision, fire, theft, and impact damage due to falling objects. However, EV-specific products may offer additional coverage for home chargers, portable charging equipment, and personal liability arising from home wall chargers. Home EV chargers are not automatically covered under standard home policies, and permanently installed, hardwired chargers may be treated as fixtures or fittings, potentially falling under the building section of a home policy.
Brief written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
