The other driver had no insurance
You found out the driver who hit you had no valid insurance, and fear you will get nothing.
Finding out the other driver had no insurance can feel like finding out there is nowhere left to turn. Malaysian law requires every driver to carry third-party insurance, and using a vehicle without it is a criminal offence.[1] Even so, an uninsured driver does not always mean you are left with nothing.
Why this feels so hopeless
Compensation in Malaysia usually comes from the at-fault driver’s insurer, so hearing there is no insurance can sound like the whole system has failed you. Many people stop there, assuming the claim is over before it starts.
There is a separate route built specifically for this situation, and it is worth understanding before giving up.
The route that may still apply
The Motor Insurers’ Bureau may compensate death or bodily injury caused by an uninsured vehicle, provided the vehicle can be identified by its registration number, and provided the claim is made within the time limit that applies, generally three years.[2] It does not cover vehicle or property damage, only injury and death.
This is different from the Malaysian Motor Insurance Pool, which is a way for hard-to-insure vehicle owners to buy cover, not a fund for victims of uninsured drivers. Claiming against an uninsured driver explains the process in more detail, and an uninsured vehicle hitting you covers the practical side.
What to do if this is you
A few steps matter more than usual in this situation.
- Record the vehicle’s registration number as accurately as you can, ideally with a photo.
- Report to the police as soon as possible, naming the vehicle.
- Get medical treatment and keep every record of your injury.
- Check your own policy for whether it covers your own vehicle’s damage separately.
If your own car was damaged, an own-damage claim on your own policy may be the relevant route for that part.
The honest limits
The Bureau’s payments are treated as discretionary rather than an automatic entitlement, and the route covers injury and death only, not your vehicle. If the vehicle cannot be identified at all, a different and more limited situation applies, which is worth understanding on its own.
What to do next
No insurance on the other side is a serious complication, not necessarily a dead end. Setting out exactly what you know about the vehicle and the accident is the right starting point, and do you need a lawyer can help from there.
Common questions
If the other driver has no insurance, is there really no one to claim from?
Not necessarily. If the vehicle is identified, the Motor Insurers' Bureau may compensate you for death or bodily injury even though the driver was uninsured, subject to its own conditions and time limit.
Does the Motor Insurers' Bureau pay for my car repairs too?
No. The Bureau's role covers death and bodily injury only, not vehicle or property damage. Damage to your own vehicle is usually handled through your own comprehensive policy if you have one.
What do I need to bring a claim to the Bureau?
You generally need the identified vehicle's registration number, a police report, and medical evidence of your injury, together with a claim made within the time limit that applies.
Is having no insurance itself a crime in Malaysia?
Yes. Using a vehicle on a Malaysian road without valid third-party insurance is a criminal offence for the driver, separate from any compensation route you may have as the injured party.
Sources
- Road Transport Act 1987, s.90 (Ministry of Transport) (accessed 2026-09-22)
- AskLegal.my, on the Motor Insurers' Bureau (accessed 2026-09-22)