How do I know what type of car insurance to get?
In South Africa there are 3 types of car insurance available: Comprehensive, Third Party Fire and Theft and Third Party Only.
You should base your decision on what you can afford and the value and condition of the vehicle, the conditions under which it is kept and driven and your lifestyle requirements.
Where can I get a quote?
You can visit the website of the insurance provider of your choice. You can also visit insurance comparison sites, such as:
Alternatively, you can also choose to use the services of an insurance broker. They will be able to rely on their network of insurance companies to be able to get you a competitive quote. Although this may take longer than getting an online quote, you can get the benefit of having human interaction, so you can ask a lot more questions.
How the quote is calculated:
Many factors are taken into account, such as:
- The make and model of your motor vehicle
- Where you live
- Where your vehicle is kept at nights
- What the car is used for
- Your previous claims history
Some vehicles are more susceptible to theft so if you own a high-risk car you may be charged a higher premium.
The quote should specify if you will be covered at retail, market or trade value. You must avoid insuring your car below the actual value in an effort to save on premiums.
Read the fine print and make sure that you fully understand what you are getting cover for.
Consider possible exclusions. The quote may not always cover exactly what you thought, so make sure that you read the fine print carefully.
Remember that there are various ways to make sure that your quote is lower, so you need to compare as many quotes as possible.
