Etiqa Private Car Insurance: Is It the Right Plan for You?
Etiqa Private Car Insurance: Is It the Right Plan for You?
ValueChampion Rating 
Pros
- Offers car loan protection coverage
- Offers usage based motor insurance rebates for Comprehensive Plan
Cons
- Not competitively priced
- YIDR excess increases to S$4,000 if using own workshop
- Lacks passenger personal accident and medical coverage
Etiqa's car insurance provides average benefits for an average to above average price, which may fail to impress drivers who are looking for budget-friendly prices or a high value car insurance plan. That said, those who aren't limited by budget may find that Etiqa offers unique add-ons that could be worth the higher price.
Table of Contents
| Summary of Tiq by Etiqa Comprehensive Car Insurance |
|---|
| Premiums cost around average to above average for most driver profiles analysed |
| May not be ideal for families due to lack of passenger personal accident & medical coverage |
| Young driver excess increases to S$4,000 if using own workshop |
| Choice to add on the “Drive Less Save More” rebate program at no extra cost |
Etiqa Comprehensive Car Insurance Highlights
Etiqa's car insurance is averagely priced and provides around the market average level coverage for personal accident benefits, medical expenses and towing costs. However, Etiqa often runs major promotions on its insurance products, which can decrease your cost significantly and make this plan a value buy. While the premium is not the cheapest on the market, younger drivers can save some money as the Elderly, Young or Inexperienced driver excess is S$2,000 if you'll be using Etiqa's workshops (around S$500-S$1,000 lower than the norm) and you are only considered a young driver if you are 24 years old or younger, compared to the typical young driver age of 27.
Etiqa is one of the few insurers that keeps you insured if you are using your car as a carpool or car-sharing arrangement. However, to qualify for this condition, your paying customers must be contributing towards the maintenance and running costs of the car. Thus, if this is something that you're interested in doing, Etiqa's plan may be a good option to consider. Lastly, Etiqa also offers a 30 minute fast claim approval, which can be a good option for drivers who don't want to waste time getting approvals for minor damages. The 30 minute fast claim approvals are dedicated to own-damage repair claims that are less than S$5,000.
Where Etiqa falls short is in customization and value-added features. For instance, unlike many other insurers, its plan does not automatically include 24-hour roadside assistance. Additionally, in contrast to several other insurers' comprehensive plans, its personal accident benefits and medical expenses coverage only cover you, the policyholder, and does not extend to any passengers you may have in your car unless you want to buy their add-on package. This means families may not get the comprehensive coverage they may be looking for, especially if they have young passengers.
Etiqa Drive Less Save More (DLSM) Add-On
Additionally, Etiqa recently launched its Drive Less Save More (DLSM) program. It is the first-ever motor insurance company that offers a usage-based rebates scheme without a location tracking device. If you purchase Etiqa's comprehensive car insurance plan, you can get the DLSM add-on at no additional cost. The DLSM program rewards drivers for driving less and underutilising their cars. With this add-on, drivers will get up to 30% yearly cash rebates. It translates to a couple of hundred dollars every year. If you do not use your vehicle regularly, this complimentary add-on feature might be perfect for you!
Below is a summary of the cash rebate program.
Cash Rebate
| Tier | Daily Distance Less than | Daily Discount | Annual Rebate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14 km | 0.082% | 30% |
| 2 | 22 km | 0.055% | 20% |
| 3 | 33 km | 0.027% | 10% |
How does the DLSM program work?
1. Sign-Up
Unfortunately, the DLSM program is only eligible for new customers. If you are a new customer, you need to purchase Etiqa's comprehensive car insurance plan online. You will also need to opt for the DLSM add-on. Do remember to activate the DLSM feature three days before the policy start date via the Tiq by Etiqa App.
2. Upload Images
Once you have successfully activated the DLSM feature, you need to upload images of your odometer and car plate number via the Tiq by Etiqa App, with a minimum of 10 days between each upload. Artificial intelligence assesses the photos uploaded and helps to calculate the total amount of rebates earned. Are you worried about privacy issues? Do not fret -- there is no telematics system or location tracking involved. In essence, mileage tracking is left entirely in the hands of the customer.
3. Enjoy Cash Rebate
Here comes the exciting part -- cash rebates. Cash rebates are calculated daily. It is calculated as a percentage of your basic premium or contribution – minus the no claim discount. Once calculated, the cash rebate will be credited to your TIqConnect e-wallet within three working days. You can then cash out on the rebates from the eWallet instantly and directly to your bank account or via PayNow.
Of course, there are some eligibility requirements if you choose to opt for the DLSM add-on. Below is a summary of the eligibility requirements.
| DLSM Add-On Eligibility | |
|---|---|
| Age of Insured Person | 25 to 80 Years Old |
| Age of Vehicle | 0 to 15 Years Old |
| Sum Insured | S$12,000 And Above |
| Category | Used for Private Purposes |
Etiqa TPFT & TPO Plans
Our study of third party car insurance plans found that Etiqa tends to offer less competitive prices for its TPO and TPFT plans. This is particularly the case for cars older than 8 years. Additionally, women will have to pay above average prices for TPO and TPFT plans by 7% whereas men will be paying around average. Etiqa's TPFT plan does offer some additional coverage that other insurers don't, including loss or damage of accessories and towing service—offering cars that can't be covered by Comprehensive insurance a little bit extra protection.
Customisation & Other Options
Etiqa offers several optional add-ons including adjusting your excess between S$200 and S$2,500 for lower/higher premiums. You can also choose the coverage level for your expensive car accoutrements like your sun/moon roof and solar film. Though its add-ons typically included in other insurer's base plans, it does offer a unique benefit called a Gap Cover, that provides up to S$80,000 for the difference between your outstanding car loan and the market value of your car in the event it gets totaled. You can also choose to use your own workshop for an additional fee, although if you are an inexperienced, elderly (over 75) or young (under 24) driver, your excess will increase from S$2,000 to S$4,000. Due to this, if you fall into those categories of drivers and you have a luxury car that requires special servicing, Etiqa may not be your best bet.
| Coverage | Benefit Limit | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Car Accessories | S$2,000 | S$100 for sun/moon roofs |
| S$1,000 | S$25 for solar film | |
| NCD Protector | N/A | S$172.73 |
| Gap Cover | S$80,000 | S$103.64 |
| Etiqa Package (variety of add-ons*) | N/A | S$220.20 |
Etiqa's Car Insurance Exclusions
You will not be insured under any part of Etiqa's policy if your car is being driven by anyone who is not an Authorised Driver and if they do not have a driver's license. Moreover, a person under the influence of drinking or doing drugs will automatically lose the right to make any claim under Etiqa's policy. Furthermore, if your car is used for anything other than what's specifically stated on the certificate of insurance or Policy, then you will risk not being insured. This means that you may not be insured if you use your car to operate delivery or passenger transport services. Additionally, you won't be insured if:
- Your car is being driven by someone who is not insured and doesn't hold valid documentation
- You are under the influence of liquor or drugs
- You're not registered under the Road Traffic Act
- Your car was confiscated (or attempted to be confiscated) by an authority
- Your car, its Accessories (declared and/or undeclared) or spare parts was/were procured through fraudulent or illegal means
Finally, if any accident, loss, damage, death, injury, or legal liability arises directly or indirectly from strikes, riots, war, or willful or negligent acts, you will not be insured. Always make sure you read the insurance policy wording carefully to understand what you will and will not be covered for. This way you can make an informed decision about the best policy for you.
Etiqa Claims & Contact Information
To file a claim with Etiqa, you first have to report the incident within 24 hours both to Etiqa and the police (in the event of a theft). If you are making a claim against damage to your car, you have 14 days to do so. If you are making an own-damage claim for under S$5,000, you'll be able to get your claim approved within 30 minutes by using E-CLEVA, which is a video-assisted claim programme. For all other claims, you can log into your TiqConnect account.
| Contact Information | |
|---|---|
| Customer Service Hotline | +65 6887 8777 |
| Claims Hotline | +65 6331 9215 |
| Claims Email | [email protected] |
| Claims Information | Claim forms |
| Branch Address | 16 Raffles Quay, Hong Leong Building, #01-04A, Singapore 048581 |
Summary of Features & Benefits
While it is tempting to purchase insurance based solely on price, have enough coverage in the event of unforeseen circumstances can end up saving you a lot of money in the long run. Below, we've outlined Etiqa's core benefits and excess amounts. If you'd like to compare Etiqa to other plans on the market, you can read our guide to the best car insurance policies in Singapore.
| Coverage | Amount | Excess |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Excess | N/A | S$200-S$2,500 |
| 3rd Party Liability (Death) | Unlimited | N/A |
| 3rd Party Liability (Damage) | S$5 Mn | N/A |
| Personal Accident (Main Driver) | S$50,000 | N/A |
| Medical | S$1,000 | N/A |
| Windscreen/Window Coverage | Unlimited | S$100 |
| Towing | S$200 | N/A |
| Young Driver Excess (24 and under) | N/A | S$2,000 |
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Protected up to specified limits by SDIC. This is only product information provided. You may wish to seek advice from a qualified adviser before buying the product. If you choose not to seek advice from a qualified adviser, you should consider whether the product is suitable for you. Buying an insurance product that is not suitable for you may impact your ability to finance your future financial needs. If you decide that the policy is not suitable after purchasing the policy, you may terminate the policy in accordance with the free-look provision, if any, and the insurer may recover from you any expense incurred by the insurer in underwriting the policy.