PIAM Reminds on The Importance of Fire Insurance Following Pantai Dalam Fire Incident

Kuala Lumpur, 11 August 2025 – Persatuan Insurans Am Malaysia (PIAM) extends its heartfelt sympathies to those affected by the recent fire that destroyed several homes and commercial premises in Pantai Dalam late on 7 August. This incident which occurred near the Kuala Lumpur city centre, has disrupted the livelihoods of residents and impacted the operations of business owners in the surrounding area.

“We thank the Fire and Rescue Department for their efforts in putting out the fire. The damage is extensive where the homes which were predominantly wooden homes were about 90% destroyed, while the shops sustained damage of about 80%,” said Chua Kim Soon, CEO of PIAM. “While the cause of fire is still under investigation, we urge Malaysians to be safe and prepared, as nearly 60% of home fires in the country is due to electrical malfunctions and short-circuiting.”

Tips from PIAM on electrical safety:

• Conduct a home fire safety inspection to identify and address potential fire hazards, such as faulty electrical wiring, overloaded circuits and flammable materials.
• Install and maintain smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.
• Be mindful of electrical dangers during peak usage periods.
• Turn off all switches and unplug electrical appliances when not in use, particularly before leaving home for a long period of time.
• Avoid overloading power sockets and using faulty electrical wiring.
• Ensure that electrical items have SIRIM certification.
• Schedule regular checks of electrical systems by certified professionals. Wiring works must adhere to standards set by the Energy Commission.

To initiate the claims process, we urge affected policyholders to:

1. Check Your Policy: Verify your fire insurance policy to understand the extent of your coverage.
2. Document the Damage: Take photographs or videos of the damage to your property and belongings.
3. Contact Your Insurer: Reach out to your insurance provider as soon as possible to report the loss and initiate the claims process.
4. Provide Necessary Documentation: Prepare all required documents, such as police report, fire report from BOMBA, proof of ownership, repair estimates, and receipts for any emergency expenses.

Protect Your Property Against Fire

This unfortunate event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of having adequate general insurance coverage, including houseowner and householder insurance. While no amount of money can replace what was lost, especially items with sentimental value, these policies provide a crucial financial safety net to help rebuild and recover from such disasters.

PIAM remains committed to raising public awareness of the benefits of insurance and to ensuring that our members offer comprehensive and accessible products to all Malaysians. We encourage the public to consult with their agent, broker or directly contact the insurance company to review their current coverage and address any potential gaps.

You may also use the complimentary PIAM Building Cost Calculator available on our website (www.piam.org.my) to estimate the sum that your property is to be insured against fire and natural disasters like flood. Remember that the value of the property, should only reflect the cost of rebuilding your property, not the value of the land.

Who to contact?

Do find below the contact details of our PIAM members that policyholders can reach out for help and support.