SingaporeThe driver's insurer won't pay my claim. What can I do?
If the driver’s insurer refuses your claim, you may sue the driver directly — and under Singapore law, their insurer must pay any court-ordered compensation up to the policy limit.
What the Law Says
The Motor Vehicles (Third-Party Risks and Compensation) Act makes it compulsory for all vehicle owners in Singapore to have third-party insurance. Section 9 ensures that if you win a court judgment against a driver, their insurer must pay — even if they previously denied your claim.
Under Singapore law, every motor vehicle used on public roads must be covered by a valid third-party insurance policy. This is not optional — it’s required by law to protect victims of accidents.
Section 9 of the Motor Vehicles (Third-Party Risks and Compensation) Act states that when a court orders a driver to pay compensation for injury or death caused by their vehicle, the insurer is legally bound to pay that amount — up to the limit of the policy — directly to you, the injured party.
This means the insurer cannot simply refuse your claim without justification. Even if they reject your pre-litigation demand, a successful court judgment triggers their statutory duty to pay.
Statutory TextWhere any judgment is obtained against any person insured under a contract of insurance… the insurer shall, subject to the terms and conditions of the contract, pay to the person entitled to the benefit of the judgment such sum as may be awarded by the court…
— Motor Vehicles (Third-Party Risks and Compensation) Act, s. 9 — Effect of judgment against insured
What to Do
Gather evidence: photos, police report, medical records, witness statements.
Send a formal letter of demand to the driver (and copy their insurer) specifying your losses and requesting payment within 14 days.
If refused or ignored, file a claim in the State Courts (for claims ≤$100,000) or High Court (for higher amounts).
Serve the insurer with notice of the lawsuit — they may intervene or settle before trial.
If you win, enforce the judgment: the insurer must pay under s. 9, up to the policy limit (commonly $15 million for death/injury).
Sources
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European UnionNot legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.