KUALA LUMPUR: Homeowners should notify their insurers when installing a permanent electric vehicle (EV) charger, says the General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM).
PIAM said declaring electrical upgrades kept a property’s sum insured in line with current rebuilding costs and gave clarity on coverage during claims.
“Declaring electrical upgrades ensures the property’s sum insured reflects current rebuilding costs and helps provide clarity on the policy’s coverage during the claims process,” it said in a statement yesterday.
PIAM added that permanently installed, hard-wired chargers are typically classed under the building section of a home policy as fixtures and fittings.
Portable charging cables typically fell under specialised EV motor policies or add-on packages.
Its chief executive officer Chua Kim Soon said standard houseowner and fire policies covered fire damage regardless of the ignition source, subject to policy terms, conditions and exclusions.
Coverage applied as long as there was no fraud, deliberate act or other breach of policy conditions, he noted.
“Homeowners are still expected to take reasonable precautions and use certified installers when adding a charger at home,” said Chua.
The advisory follows a recent fire at a terrace house in Alam Damai, Cheras, believed to have been triggered by an EV being charged in the foyer.
The Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department said the blaze razed a two-storey terrace house early on Sunday, with the department receiving an emergency call at 5.03am.
