What Insurers Do Not Tell You
You are dealing with an insurer and suspect there is more you have not been told.
An insurer is not required to volunteer every option open to you during a road accident claim, even genuine ones. This page sets out a few things worth knowing that rarely come up unless you ask.
An interim payment is not automatically offered
Money before your claim finishes, called an interim payment, is something you generally have to raise yourself. It is not withheld out of bad faith; it simply is not a standard part of what gets offered up front.
The first offer is rarely the final word
An early offer is often based on an initial view of your case, made before your medical report is complete. Before you accept a settlement offer covers what to check before responding to one.
The loss adjuster works for the insurer
A loss adjuster is sent by the insurer to check the accident and your losses, and a friendly manner does not change who they represent. Their report usually shapes what gets offered next.
Your deadline is longer than three years
An ordinary injury claim generally has six years to be brought, not the three years sometimes assumed.[2] Nobody is obliged to remind you of this, so it is worth confirming for your own situation.
Signing a release usually closes the file for good
Once a settlement is signed off, reopening it later is generally difficult even if your injury turns out worse than expected. Reading the release fully before signing matters more than the speed of getting it done.
Why this is not always volunteered
None of this means an insurer is acting improperly by staying quiet about it, since the law already expects a valid claim to be paid rather than needing every option spelled out for you.[1] It simply means the practical work of asking sits with you, starting from the basics of your own claim.
Common questions
Why would an insurer not mention an interim payment if it exists?
It is not part of the standard offer process, so it is usually left for the claimant to raise. Asking clearly, with documents showing a genuine and pressing cost, is a normal part of managing a claim that is taking time.
How do I know if my settlement offer is actually fair?
Compare it against your documented losses, including medical costs, lost income and any future treatment, rather than the number alone. A review before signing is worth doing, especially if treatment is still ongoing.
Is the loss adjuster on my side at all?
The adjuster works for the insurer, not for you, even where the conversation feels friendly and routine. Being accurate and factual with them protects you regardless of how the exchange feels.
What is the real deadline for my claim if I was told it was three years?
For an ordinary personal-injury claim in Malaysia, the general deadline is six years from the accident, not three. A fatal claim or a claim against a government body each carries its own shorter deadline.
Sources
- Road Transport Act 1987, s.96 (Ministry of Transport) (accessed 2026-09-22)
- Limitation Act 1953, s.6(1)(a) (Government of Malaysia) (accessed 2026-09-22)