You’re driving along, just minding your own business and probably rocking out to your favourite tunes in your vehicle when suddenly, a loud “CRACK!” is heard and you see the effect of “stone meets windscreen at high velocity.” The sinking feeling in your chest and gut is palpable. Your mind starts racing.

“OH MY GAWD!!! My windscreen is cracked! What do I do now?” Well, fret not and read on.

Chipped vs. Cracked

In the best-case scenario, your vehicle’s windscreen may merely be chipped. In this case, count yourself lucky for in most instances, it can be repaired instead of needing to replace the entire glass panel. However, there are caveats.

First, the chip needs to be located at least 7cm from the edge of the windscreen. Next, if the chip is in the driver’s line of sight, it needs to be 10mm or less in size to be deemed repairable. Otherwise, chips of up to 25mm may be repairable if they’re not in the driver’s line of sight. All of this can be professionally assessed.

Once ascertained that the chip can indeed be repaired, the process starts with a potentially gut-wrenching but professionally executed micro-drilling of the chip in preparation for the next step.

Next, a special resin is injected into the drilled chip, and allowed to cure over a short period of time.

The repaired chip will then be virtually indistinguishable from the rest of the glass on the windscreen and life can proceed as normal. So, the question then is when should a chipped windscreen ideally be repaired? The answer is “as soon as possible.”

While a vehicle is in motion, the windscreen can and does flex in minute amounts, and this flex can cause an unattended chip to expand further and crack, thereby rendering repair out of the equation and replacement a necessity.

Replacement Windscreens

Assuming that the windscreen has been professionally assessed to require a replacement, it is now time to remove the old windscreen. This requires the trim around the glass to be removed, and the polyurethane adhesive beneath the glass to be carefully and methodically cut using specialised tools. Then, the old cracked windscreen can be removed.

Next, before the new windscreen goes on, some clean-up and prep work to the frame and dashboard needs to be undertaken. Any untreated corrosion or debris on the frame where the glass will sit will eventually allow water to seep through, so all of this needs to be thoroughly addressed at this stage.

A new layer of polyurethane adhesive is then laid down on the frame and the new windscreen is then carefully lifted and offered up to the vehicle. Once the installation is deemed correct, any previously-removed trim around the frame is reinstalled.

After letting it sit for a while for the adhesive to set, the windscreen is then tested for water-tightness, after which, it can be driven away. However, it will take a while longer for the adhesive to fully cure, so avoid washing the vehicle for a couple of days.

Original vs. Aftermarket Windscreens

Not all windscreens are created equal. Original windscreens can cost a pretty penny, while aftermarket windscreens may offer a more cost-effective option, possibly with the omission of a feature or two that the original had. Which option to go for will primarily come down to budget.

If your insurance policy has windscreen-replacement coverage, then the verbiage of the policy needs to be studied as to whether original replacements can be done or aftermarket windscreens are specified. If an out-of-pocket payment for the entire cost of the replacement windscreen is needed, then the aftermarket option may be more attractive depending on the situation.

Got some windscreen issues? AutoApp can help to take the hassle out of the process of windscreen repairs and replacements. Our experienced team will work with you and our panel of windscreen experts to assess the damage, study your vehicle’s insurance policy coverage and recommend the best option(s) available.

Better yet, you don’t have to leave home to get the fix done, since our Service Ambassadors will pick up your vehicle, bring it to get the repair or replacement done, and return it to you. So you can sit back, relax, and let us do the work.

Drop us a message to get the hassle-free process started!

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on Ignition Labs TV!

If you think that car insurance is the same no matter which company you buy from, think again. It is only natural for car owners to look for the cheapest quotes. After all, most of us do not have accidents for years. Sometimes, we can’t even remember who our insurer is until the reminder for your policy renewal arrives.

Worst of all, many of us feel that we have ‘wasted’ our money if years go by accident-free, yet our premiums increase! It would be fair to say that most of us would feel better if the premiums we pay for car insurance — which can rate from hundreds to thousands of dollars, and in some cases, even tens of thousands of dollars per year — were put to good use.

While accidents are (hopefully) few and far in between, smaller hassles such as the car not starting, tyre punctures, or other types of breakdowns are more likely, especially if you own an older car of say, five years or more. 

One company that is aware of this is SGDrivers. Even before officially founding his company in 2012, Lorenzo Ang was in the habit of helping his friends by connecting them to various car workshops and services. 

So, when SGDrivers opened its doors, this culture of helping its customers was already deeply ingrained into the company’s ‘DNA’. 

More than just an insurance agency

Effectively, SGDrivers is more than just an insurance agency. In fact, it considers its clients as members and even offers a complimentary membership with every insurance plan. 

The membership comes with a host of services. These include free 24-hour basic breakdown towing, 24-hour rescue for battery, tyre repair as well as accident assistance. There’s even support for car loans as well as buying, selling, and scrapping services. When the borders open up again, SGDrivers members will also have the peace of mind that they have access to 24-hour breakdown support in Malaysia at a subsidised rate. 

Ask any of the team members at SGDrivers, and they will likely tell you that their brand is all about building a community of customers and workshops. The idea, it seems, is to build an environment of trust where their customers have the confidence in knowing they won’t get ripped off.

Part of this community-building experience includes a private Facebook group where workshop recommendations, car advice, and reviews are some of the more popular topics discussed.  

Another privilege is that members receive more than $240 worth of vouchers. These can be put towards servicing, grooming, and repair services from authorised workshops in the SGDrivers network. 

SGDrivers members can also take heart in knowing that they have access to a 24-hour response helpline. Besides a major accident, members can call if they need help with a punctured tyre, or if their car won’t start, for example.

Unlike many call centres that are outsourced to anonymous foreign sites or worse, an automated ‘bot’ that makes you press an endless series of numbers, the SGDrivers 24-hour response helpline is operated in-house, and you’ll speak with an actual person in Singapore.  

What’s reassuring is that prices for tyre and battery rescue services are standardised, so there’s no loading for after-hours callouts, or for example, even during Chinese New Year.

Having a go-to number to call can be crucial when it comes to dealing with an accident. Not knowing who to call could lead to very costly claims that may be turned down by the insurer. 

So in the event of an accident, what you really need is to know a reliable number to call, and to not accept offers from strangers. 

One-stop solution

It is clear that SGDrivers looks at its business as a total car ownership experience rather than to just sell automotive insurance. In doing so, financial services such as car loans, COE renewals, vehicle scrapping, and export services become a natural extension of the business model. 

While many insurance companies are simply about the lowest quotes, competitive pricing is just the beginning for SGDrivers. They believe that a positive experience keeps their customers coming back. The proof of this approach is evident, as the high customer retention rate is the best indicator of how reliable SGDrivers is as a service provider.  

Lorenzo cites fair and ethical practices with strictly no over-claiming or taking advantage as the foundation of building customers’ trust in SGDrivers.

Usually, car owners only get to find out how dependable their insurers really are when it comes to processing claims if they have an accident. By then, however, it might be too late to find out if they pay promptly or even at all. Horror stories abound about insurance companies that quote rock-bottom premiums but then use every excuse in the book to deny coverage, leaving the car owner with very expensive repairs costs to pay.

By building a community with membership privileges for its members, SGDrivers get to demonstrate its reliability on a regular basis even without an accident occurring. The culture of community among members who interact on the Facebook group, and privileges programs that will soon include lifestyle partners make you feel like your premiums are being put to good use.

Interested? Give SGDrivers a call and their friendly advisors are only too happy to help.

SGDrivers

Contact number: +65 6100 1967

Email: bestquotes@sgdrivers.com.sg

Website: sgdrivers.com.sg

Find out other Tips & Tricks about car care and driving here.

Shopping for car insurance is an art that few have managed to master. Just starting by picking a plan already involves three options, then there’s sifting through the terms of your policy. Already confused? Hang in there – this was just the easy part!

Insurers calculate your car insurance policy premium with an incredibly in-depth method. Using several factors, this system determines your likelihood of getting into an accident. That’s why it’s possible how different people purchasing insurance policies on the same car can get wildly differing quotes.

As a consumer, it probably isn’t worth the effort to figure out how this all works, as unalterable factors such as your age and driving experience to determines how much you pay. What you can do, however, is use these (legal!) tips that insurance companies don’t want you to know.

Pick a car with lower historical insurance premiums

All cars are equal, but some cars are more equal than others. It’s well known that powerful or sporty cars tend to incur higher insurance premiums due to their higher risk. However, there are differences even across similar cars within the same category.

Perhaps due to their ubiquity, low repair costs, or conservative owner demographic, several car models in particular have lower historical insurance premiums compared to their competitors. These models include the Mitsubishi Attrage, Toyota Corolla Altis, and Kia Cerato.

Install a dashcam in your car

In the event of an accident, Singaporean insurers use a guide to determine to what extent each party is liable. Called the , this guide dictates the liability each driver has in a traffic accident. However, this relies on the accuracy of each driver recounting events – it’s always your word against the other driver’s, regardless of who is actually at fault.

In the event of a post-accident dispute, your dashcam will be essential in eliminating any factual inaccuracies and providing evidence. Insurance premiums can thus be kept low, as no falsified claims can be filed.

Have an experienced family member be the main driver

If you’ve read our previous article, you’d now know the sweet spot for car insurance (psst – it’s between 30 to 64 years of age). If you’re within this age range and haven’t made a major claim on your policy, you should be already be enjoying reasonably low car insurance premiums.

But you’re not completely doomed if you don’t fulfill the above criteria. There’s an open secret to get around it – and that’s letting an experienced family member be the main driver on the policy. It’s a win-win – not only will your family member be legally insured to drive your car, but having an older, more experienced policyholder means that yearly premiums can be up to 30% lower!

There’s an easier way to get cheaper car insurance quotes, regardless of your age, experience, car make, or car model. Take advantage of AutoApp’s partnership with g&m to find the most competitive insurance quotes in Singapore!

To learn more about AutoApp, or to download the app on your device, head on over here!

Over the past few days, we’ve gone through a crash course (no pun intended) on car insurance. From the basics such as excess and named drivers, to the types of car insurance available on the market, we hope our little series will instill some confidence in you the next time you’re out shopping for quotes.

Whether you’re a first-time car owner, or someone who’s been driving for the past 20 years, one thing that baffles most of us is how car insurance policy premiums are calculated. Sure, it might seem simple – if you’ve got a doctorate in mathematical sciences – but the calculation is otherwise beyond the average Joe.

As the average Joe, what you need to know is that your car insurance policy premium is calculated with something called the Risk Factor Rating System (RFRS). Simply put, this system – using several metrics – determines your likelihood of getting into an accident. Dark, eh?

Your Car’s Make & Model

Insurance companies are usually rather superficial. Got a sporty car? Or a car with a high power output? You’re probably going to pay more for your car insurance. Really, though, the guy in the 400hp coupe is more likely to be caught speeding than another guy in a 100hp economy hatchback.

Unfortunately, this factor is also affected by claims history by other policyholders driving the same make and model of car. If your car model tends to be sought after by the reckless boy-racer type, you’ll be deemed as a higher risk thanks to these people who spoil market.

Your Car’s Age

Here’s where being thrifty and buying used cars is a benefit! Based on trends, it’s been found that insurance premiums of older cars which are around 5-8 years old can be up to 25 percent lower than that of a newer model.

This might be attributable to the fact that older cars are simply cheaper to fix – whether it’s due to mechanical simplicity, or the amortization of parts costs over the production run. Although newer cars are safer, with features such as cameras and automatic brake assist, they cost big money to fix. With fancy LED headlamps and cutting-edge sensor systems, a minor fender bender typically results in a large repair bill.

Your Gender

Maybe it’s profiling, maybe it’s gender discrimination – we’ll never know. But men typically pay higher insurance premiums than women, despite protests.

The rationale behind this is that women are supposedly less reckless on the road compared to men. There might be some truth to this, as men are less likely to let a motoring transgression against them slide.

Your Age

When buying car insurance, you’ll find that being young and being advanced in age will work against you. Insurance premiums are most affordable when you’re between 30 to 64 years old. This bracket is when you’re considered to be mature enough, yet still young enough to have your wits about you.

Below 30 is when insurers deem you to be young and wild and free, possessing recklessness and lacking driving experience. Above 65, it’s a painful fact that most seniors’ physical conditions affect their driving. Conditions like arthritis don’t allow them to grasp the steering wheel hard enough, or react fast enough to avoid collisions.

Your Occupation & Car Usage

This one’s a little more straightforward. When comparing a desk-bound executive to a salesman that drives around during the workday, it’s obvious that the former is exposed to a lot lesser risk than the latter.

However, this doesn’t mean that having a desk job guarantees you cheaper insurance premiums. Should you also need to drive out occasionally as part of your work, you’ll find a corresponding rise in your insurance premium.

Your Driving Experience

As you drive more and get used to all sorts of traffic conditions, you’re deemed to be lower risk as you’re better equipped to deal with the road environment. The more years of (accident-free) experience you have, the cheaper your insurance premiums will be.

Your Claims History

Here’s where it gets rather self-explanatory. If you’ve never made a claim on your car insurance policy – hooray! This means that you’re a great driver and your insurer loves you, since they’ve not had to make any payouts.

However, if you have a claim history, be prepared for loading. This is a surcharge built into the policy, to cover losses which are above average when insuring a high-risk individual.

Planning to buy car insurance but not sure where to start? Let us help! Get in touch by dropping us a note in the form here and our insurance partner, g&m will put together the best quotes for your needs.

Do you kinda wish you hadn’t tried to siam that insurance agent from the booth at the roadshow/showroom, or perhaps taken more time to read the fine print on that document you signed? Ok, ok no need to panic. Whatever the case, it’s never too late to learn a little more! Do note that details of each plan may differ slightly depending on which insurance company you approach.

First, there are 3 main types of car insurance plans in Singapore:

1. Third-Party Only (TPO)
2. Third-Party, Fire and Theft (TPFT)
3. Comprehensive Car Insurance

If you’re feeling basic, consider the Third Party Only (TPO) plan.

TPO is the most basic form of car insurance in Singapore. It meets the minimum legal requirements and comes with low cost but low coverage. It covers damages that you may cause to the property of others, whether it’s another driver’s car or even streetlamps and fences. However, it doesn’t protect you or your car (boo!), so you won’t receive a pay-out from your insurer in the event of an accident.

So, if you’re really not too concerned about financing the costs of damages to your own car during an accident, then consider a TPO plan. Maybe you drive an old/overused car that you’re planning to scrap soon, own a car that’s hardly on the roads, or you don’t rely on your car that much to get around.

Whatever the case, if you just want the bare minimum, go for the TPO.

So what’s covered again?*

Damages to your car: ✗
Damages to car/property of others: ✓
Loss/damages to your car due to fire or theft: ✗
Loss/damages to your car due to natural disasters: ✗

If you need a little more reassurance, then look at a Third Party Fire and Theft (TPFT) plan.

Apart from covering damages to the property of others like with the TPO, the TPFT plan, as its name suggests, also covers damages caused by fire or theft.

This mid-tier option would best suit drivers who don’t want to go “all-out” with their insurance, but still want coverage that’s a bit more comprehensive than a TPO. It’s also best for drivers who often travel to countries where crime is a little more rampant than here (*coughs in Singaporean*). Of course, at the risk of sounding like your neighbourhood GP, prevention is better than cure. So do remember to keep your doors and windows locked!

Do note however, that the TPFT doesn’t cover damages caused by non-theft/fire related factors. i.e. if you’re one of the many victims of bird poop ruining your ride’s paintwork, or if your car gets hit by an errant driver.

So what’s covered again?*

Damages to your car: ✗
Damages to car/property of others: ✓
Loss/damages to your car due to fire or theft: ✓
Loss/damages to your car due to natural disasters: ✗

If you want it all, get a comprehensive plan.

If you want ultimate peace of mind and don’t mind splurging a little, go for a comprehensive plan.

These plans normally include all the benefits of TPO and TPFT plans, along with damages caused by Acts of God. These include situations where perhaps a random tree falls on your car (touch wood, literally) or ponding flooding. Apart from offering personal accident benefits, passengers are also covered for their medical expenses. Also, comprehensive insurance plans will cover damage to your car from accidents, whether it’s your fault or not.

However, not all comprehensive plans are alike. As they tend to cover a range of things, they’re not as straightforward as the TPO or TPFT plans. Some may only offer coverage for specific natural causes, while others may entice you with add-ons like coverage for a courtesy car when your car is in the workshop. Naise!

You should consider this plan if you rely on your car a lot, especially to commute to work and back. If your car is brand new, has high value or will cost a lot to repair, look to this plan too. You should also consider it if you’re not a very experienced driver. But before you say anything: having comprehensive insurance doesn’t mean you’re a bad driver. If you happen to take a loan to pay for your car, some banks will also ask that you take up a comprehensive plan as a form of assurance.

So what’s covered again?*

Damages to your car: ✓
Damages to car/property of others: ✓
Loss/damages to your car due to fire or theft: ✓
Loss/damages to your car due to natural disasters: ✓

If you’re still finding it hard to decide on the right car insurance for your ride, get in touch with us here and our insurance partner g&m will find you a quotation that best suits your needs.

_{*May vary slightly depending on insurance company}

There are many ways to care for our car. We could send it for regular servicing, give it a good shine, or even have it sanitised ever so often. While insurance and car care might not frequently appear in the same sentence, having your car insured means keeping you and your wallet safe from any unexpected financial costs.

Like most things, understanding the basics is important before diving into the more complicated components. Here are some key words you’ll need to keep in mind when buying car insurance. Some of these might ring a bell if you’ve bought any other sort of insurance.

Why do you need car insurance?

In Singapore, it is an offence not to have your car insured. The penalties are a fine of $1000, up to three months jail, or both. Your driving license will also be suspended for 12 months. Insurance is also a prerequisite for road tax renewal.

This is just as well because insurance primarily provides financial protection during car accidents and theft. More comprehensive insurance schemes can offer additional benefits to cover other damages. It essentially protects you from having to pay fully for any damages straight from your wallet should your car be involved in an accident.

With that in mind, let’s get started!

Important key words

Insurance Premium

Nothing in life is free (sobs), and neither is your insurance. The premium refers to the amount you have to pay for your insurance policy. You could choose to pay a lump sum fee, or in monthly instalments through credit card or GIRO. The premium you pay will vary between insurance companies and the benefits offered, but we’ll discuss that in a later article.

Excess

Looking for an insurance that covers 100% of the damages? You’re better off unicorn hunting, and the next best solution is paying a really high premium for anything that comes close to full coverage.

For any accident, two kinds of payment typically happen. The first is an up-front payment to partially cover the repairs, and the second is the insurance coverage that pays the rest of it. The excess refers to the first payment made by the insured driver.

Excess and premium go hand in hand. The higher your excess, the lower your premium, and vice versa. Depending on your situation and whether you are an accident-prone driver, the high-excess-low-premium insurance might not be ideal for you. This is something you might want to take into account too, if the family car is shared among different drivers.

No Claims Discount (NCD)

AKA the No Claims Bonus. Think of the NCD as a reward system the insurance company gives you for your safe driving. For every year you go without making any insurance claims, you get a discount on your premium the following year. This can go up to 50% if you manage to stay accident-free for five years.

However, this reward system is not all-give and no-take. Your NCD can also be reduced if you make any claims, or if you make multiple claims in a year. Yet another facet of insurance to take into account if you regularly mount a curb or nick your car on that carpark pillar.

Fortunately or not, the NCD ‘tally’ does not reset if you change your car since it is tagged to your name. Better start raking in those brownie points!

Named Drivers

Last but not least, the insurance company and policy need names. If you are the sole driver of the car, the insurance company will refer to you as the main driver.

Named drivers then refer to any other drivers with whom you share the car, such as your spouse or your child. While you are the main driver and policyholder, named drivers will also be covered under the same insurance policy. The premium and excess may vary depending on the insurance company you sign up with, so make sure to read the fine print before signing on the dotted line.

Planning to buy car insurance but not sure where to start? Let us help! Get in touch by dropping us a note in the form here.