When you are in an accident, it
is important to stay calm, don’t talk too much and only exchange personal and
insurance information with the drivers of the other cars.
It is also important to report
the accident to the police immediately and obtain a case number that the
insurance company will require when you lodge your claim.
If anyone got hurt in the
accident (or if you think anyone got hurt), then everybody who is part of the
accident remains at the accident scene. Report it to the police and they will
come out to you to give you a case number.
Keep a copy of your insurance
schedule with your policy number and the company’s contact details on your
phone and in your car at all times. If you are in an accident, call the
emergency roadside, your broker or the insurance company’s call centre for
further guidance.
Always remember to contact your broker or
insurance company if you change cars or if the address changes where the car is
parked in the day or night like when you move or change jobs.
When you insure your car, most of the
insurance companies will use the computer system to determine the current value
of your car. That is why they need to know exactly what car you have like its
model number, what year it was manufactured and if you made any modifications
to the car.
You can either insure your car for its retail value or market value. The retail value is a better option. Or, you can save on your premium and only insure it for its trade-in value which is a lower value than dealerships normally payout when you sell the car to them or trade it in for a new one.
If you have made extensive modifications to
your car or you have an old vintage car that you want to insure, the insurance
company will ask you to send in a written valuation of the value.
Determining the Premium You’ll Pay
The use of the car is important when the premium is calculated. For example, if the car is used for deliveries, then it will increase the risk on the car and the premium may be higher. Trips to and from your work count as personal use. When you visit clients during the day, it will be considered either full or partial business use, depending on your type of work and number of visits you make to clients or suppliers every day.
Apart from the use of the car, your premium
will also be influenced by, for example:
the value of the vehicle;
the colour of the vehicle
(white cars and cars with bright colours like yellow are normally cheaper);
who drives the car (with some
companies, insurance on women is cheaper);
how old the driver is (young
drivers usually pay more because they tend to be more inexperienced and/or
irresponsible on the road) or how long the driver has a license;
where the car is parked in the
day or night (how safe or risky the address is where it is parked, whether it
is out in the open or locked up in a garage);
previous claims you had (which
you have to be very honest about); and
the excess you choose (this is
the amount that you will be responsible for if you have a claim).
Other Options When Taking Out Insurance
If you choose a higher excess, you will pay
a lower premium. Just make sure that if you choose a higher excess to save
money, you have emergency funds available to pay the excess if your car was in
an accident. Some companies offer you a chance not to have any excess, but of
course, at a higher premium.
You have the option to add “Car Hire” as an
extra benefit to your policy, which will increase your premium. If your car was
in an accident longer than a certain period, you will be able to hire a car for
a certain period at no cost to yourself.
Most insurance companies will only provide
cover on the car if the person driving the car was specified on the policy as
the regular driver. Make sure what your policy says before you let anyone else
drive your car. Some companies allow you to add other drivers, like your spouse.
Some companies do not list specific names of drivers, but they may charge you
an extra excess if the car was driven by anyone else. In any instance, the
other driver of your car must either:
have a valid driver’s license;
or
or a learner’s license and be
accompanied by someone with a valid driver’s license.
Car insurance is available for motor vehicles, motorcycles, light delivery vehicles, caravans, and trailers. There are also specific business policies available for emergency vehicles. There are three types of insurance for your car:
•
Comprehensive cover
• Third-party, fire and theft cover
• Third-party cover
Comprehensive Cover
This type of cover is compulsory if your
car is still financed. It is more expensive, but it’s the best insurance you
can get, even if your car is fully paid. “Comprehensive insurance” means that
the following is covered:
The damages to your own car when you were in an accident (excluding your excess, which is a payment that you must make when you have a claim).
Full or part of the damages to any other car(s) that were directly involved in your accident which we call “Third-party cover”.
Fire that damages or destroys your car.
The theft and/or hijacking of your car (some policies do not cover this in full or with higher excess payments that you have to make, so check your policy document).
Third-Party, Fire and Theft Cover
With this cover, you are not covered for damages to your own car so, it is definitely cheaper to have only this insurance, but you may not be able to replace your car if the car is written off in an accident. If you have this cover and you are the wrong party in an accident, it is likely that the other car will, even if they have their own insurance, claim against your policy. You are also covered for a fire that damages or destroys your car and the theft and/or hijacking of your car.
Third-Party Cover
This is the cover that is the cheapest and
will only provide cover for other cars, as described above.
What is Not Covered?
Normal wear-and-tear on a car and services are not covered by car insurance. It is also important that you read your policy schedule so that you know of any types of cover that may be specifically excluded from your policy. Like with most insurance, your car is not covered for intentional damage. Make sure that your car is covered outside of South Africa when you leave the country, in which case you need to request a certificate from your broker or insurance company that confirms you have a cover in the car. This certificate is to be presented at the border.
