Takaful vs Insurance in Malaysia: Find Certified Advisors on ZiggFin

ZiggFin
May 25, 2025
Takaful vs Insurance in Malaysia: How to Find Certified Advisors on ZiggFin
Introduction
Malaysia’s financial landscape is unique—here, both conventional insurance and takaful are common topics at the kopitiam table. Whether you’re protecting your family, your car, or your business, you’ve probably wondered: What’s the real difference between takaful and insurance? And, more importantly, how do you make sure your advisor is really certified, not just any “agent” sliding into your WhatsApp?
ZiggFin is Malaysia’s leading platform for finding verified, licensed financial professionals—including both takaful and insurance advisors. In this article, we’ll break down the key differences, show you what to look out for, and teach you step by step how ZiggFin makes your search safe, easy, and transparent.
Takaful and Insurance: What’s the Difference?
1. Basic Definitions
Conventional Insurance is a contract where you pay a premium to an insurance company, and in return, you get coverage against certain risks (like accident, death, critical illness, or property loss).
Takaful is Shariah-compliant protection. It’s based on the concept of mutual assistance (tabarru’), where participants pool their contributions to help anyone in the group who faces a covered loss.A takaful operator manages the pool, but unlike conventional insurance, profits and surpluses may be shared with participants.
2. How They Work in Malaysia
- • Insurance is governed by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and follows conventional legal and financial standards.
- • Takaful is also governed by BNM but must strictly comply with Shariah principles and be approved by the Shariah Committee.
3. Main Differences Between Takaful and Conventional Insurance
When deciding between takaful and insurance in Malaysia, it’s important to understand their core differences:
- • Contract Basis:Conventional insurance is based on a risk transfer model, where you (the policyholder) pay premiums to the insurer, and the company takes on your risk. Takaful, on the other hand, operates on mutual cooperation. All participants contribute to a pool, and if anyone faces a loss, the pool supports them—making it a collective, shared-risk concept.
- • Regulatory Compliance:Conventional insurance follows Malaysia’s civil laws and general regulatory standards. Takaful must comply with both these legal standards and Shariah principles, so every takaful product is approved by a Shariah committee.
- • Profit and Surplus Handling:In conventional insurance, any profits or surplus typically belong to the insurer. With takaful, any surplus (after claims and expenses) can be shared among participants, depending on the scheme’s terms.
- • Investment Approach:Insurance companies can invest your premiums in a wide range of assets, including those not Shariah-compliant. Takaful operators are required to invest only in Shariah-compliant assets—so their portfolios are carefully screened for halal status.
- • Who It’s For:Conventional insurance is open to all Malaysians, regardless of religion or background. Takaful is also available to all, but is specifically designed for Muslims and anyone who prefers a Shariah-compliant, ethical financial solution.
Why Is Certification So Important for Advisors?
Whether you choose takaful or insurance, your advisor must be properly licensed. In Malaysia, only those with valid credentials can legally advise or sell products in these categories:
- • Insurance Agent/Advisor: Must be registered with the insurer, approved by BNM, and pass the relevant exams.
- • Takaful Agent/Advisor: Must be registered with a takaful operator, approved by BNM, and also pass Shariah-compliance checks.
- • Mixed licence not allowed: Agents can only market products they are licensed for. No “one-size-fits-all”.
ZiggFin strictly reviews each advisor’s credentials—so you know every listed professional is verified and legal.
How to Use ZiggFin to Find Certified Takaful & Insurance Advisors
Step 1: Choose Your Category
On , click into either “Insurance & Takaful”. You’ll see all advisors separated by their expertise—no confusing mix-up.
Step 2: Apply Filters
Use filters for:
- • Location (e.g., Penang, Klang Valley, Johor)
- • Languages spoken (English, BM, Chinese, Tamil)
- • Specialisation (family takaful, general insurance, medical, business, etc.)
Step 3: Check Advisor Profiles (Service Cards)
Every advisor’s service card shows:
- • Licence type and registration status (e.g., Takaful, Life Insurance, General Insurance)
- • Years of experience, recognitions, and real Malaysian client stories
- • Verified client reviews—only from actual users, no “self-written” praises
Step 4: Compare & Contact Directly
Compare profiles side-by-side—experience, specialisations, language, client ratings—before you even message.When ready, connect directly and securely; your info stays private until you choose to engage.
Step 5: Look for Badges & Compliance
ZiggFin marks top advisors with badges for achievements (e.g., Top Recruiter, MDRT).All promoted or sponsored listings are clearly labelled—no “undercover” paid profiles.
Step 6: Zero Pressure, 100% Privacy
No random sales calls, no WhatsApp spam, no sharing your info without permission. Only you decide who to talk to, and all chats stay secure.
Why Malaysians Trust ZiggFin for Takaful & Insurance
- • Only licensed professionals allowed—each advisor verified for real experience, not just “paper” titles
- • Transparent reviews and real stories—see how advisors actually serve clients in Malaysian scenarios
- • No misleading claims—no “guaranteed returns”, no “100% approval”, all info checked for compliance
- • Regular audits and complaint system—report any bad behaviour, and ZiggFin takes action
Malaysian Scenarios: Real Stories from ZiggFin Users
Pn. Aisyah, Subang Jaya:“I wanted family takaful but didn’t know which provider to trust. On ZiggFin, I found an advisor who spoke BM and explained both Islamic and conventional options, without pressure. Everything was transparent, and the review system helped me feel safe.”
Mr. Goh, Penang:“I always thought insurance and takaful were the same. After reading ZiggFin Blog, I compared certified advisors, found one who could explain in Mandarin, and finally signed up for critical illness takaful that met my needs.”
FAQs
Q: Can non-Muslims buy takaful?A: Yes, takaful is open to all Malaysians, but it must follow Shariah-compliant rules. Many non-Muslims choose takaful for ethical or surplus-sharing reasons.
Q: How do I know if an advisor on ZiggFin is certified?A: Every advisor on ZiggFin is manually and digitally verified. Only those with a valid, up-to-date licence are listed under each category.
Q: What if I have a problem with my advisor?A: Use ZiggFin’s “Report” function or contact support. All complaints are investigated promptly, and non-compliant advisors may be suspended or removed.
Conclusion & CTA
Choosing between takaful and insurance is a big decision. Don’t risk your financial security with unverified “agents” or unclear promises. With ZiggFin, you can easily compare, verify, and connect with certified advisors—whether you need Shariah-compliant protection or conventional coverage.
Explore the ZiggFin homepage or visit the [ZiggFin Blog] for more tips and local stories. Register free and find an advisor who truly understands your needs, the Malaysian way.
All information on ZiggFin is for reference only. Platform does not sell financial products or provide investment advice. Advisors listed are independently licensed.