You will have to pay an excess to your insurer when you lodge an accident claim against your car’s insurance. The reason for payment of an excess amount to insurance companies is to maintain an affordable monthly premium on your policy.³

If you were not to pay an excess, which is an option, your monthly insurance premium would most likely be excessively high.

By charging excess, insurance companies incentivise customers to not claim for every small scratch, bump or chip on their car. Having to pay an excess is financially better for the customer in the long run. Make sure, when you take out your insurance policy, that you can pay the required excess. Remember, you can pay little to no excess, but then your insurance premium will be much higher every month.

• Shop around: Remember, when buying a new car, to factor into your budget the monthly car insurance premium. Work out a budget beforehand, so there are no nasty surprises. Get quotes from different insurance companies.⁴
• Lower premiums: Lower premiums might mean the insurance company doesn’t cover everything if you have an accident. There is a reason you are paying lower premiums. Always remember to read the fine print.⁴
• Excess: when looking for car insurance, find an insurer that can allow you to choose an excess that best suits your budget.⁴
• Decreasing premiums: when your car’s value goes down, so can your insurance premium. Make sure to review your policy at least once a year – you could pay less on your car insurance and save money in the end.⁴

We recommend that you drive safely and obey the rules of the road whatever you decide to do regarding car insurance.

Client review

A happy PMD client, Thulani Madatshi, took the time to write the following review:

Perhaps you are curious to know what the potential benefits are to having comprehensive car insurance. We will explore some of these possible benefits that South African motorists could enjoy.

Disclaimer

Signing up for comprehensive car insurance is a significant decision to make. Every motorist should seek advice from a certified financial advisor before you buy car insurance. The content of this article is only for informational purposes and not as financial advice of any kind. *Feel free to read the terms and conditions of Comprehensive car insurance with Prime.

New cars

When financing a new vehicle in South Africa through a car manufacturer’s finance facility, it is compulsory for you to have comprehensive car insurance. Your new car will be registered in your name. Nevertheless, you still owe money to the financial institution that financed your vehicle. Your vehicle only actually belongs to you once you have paid it off in full.

Comprehensive car insurance is compulsory to have when you finance your new car purchase. Comprehensive cover may also be a good option even if you have a fully paid-off car.

Enjoy car insurance cover that offers write-off and accident cover. Natural fire damage, disaster damage, theft and hijacking cover is also included.

Third-party liability cover benefit

Third-party cover is useful to have as well, especially when it could cover as much as R1 million per incident.

Full retail value cover benefit

Full retail value cover could be favourable to have should you accidentally write off your car. This benefit refers to getting paid out for what your written-off car’s retail value was at the time of the relevant accident.

Roadside assistance and towing benefit

Sometimes cars breakdown as a result of a mechanical failure or accident. Twenty-four-hour roadside assistance and a towing benefit come in handy for those types of situations.

Hail damage cover benefit

South Africa is known to have severe hailstorms. A hail damage cover benefit will give you peace of mind should you get stuck in a hailstorm in your car.

Glass cover benefit

Roads often have small debris like stones that cars can kick up and damage the windscreen. A glass cover benefit is useful if your car’s window glass is accidentally damaged.

Comprehensive car insurance could include additional optional benefits, which might be considered.

Car rental reimbursement benefit

You may need to hire a car while your car’s accident damage is being repaired. Renting a car could be expensive. So being covered for car rental costs may be useful.

Credit shortfall benefit

It is an unfortunate situation if you accidentally write-off your car, especially if you still owe money on it. A credit shortfall benefit is helpful in this situation, which covers you for that outstanding amount that you owe on the written-off car.

Accidental Death benefit

Unfortunately, tragedies do happen sometimes. An accidental death cover is beneficial should a motorist pass away as a result of an accident. The accidental death benefit is designed to pay out the policyholder’s beneficiary an amount of money that is equal to the value of your insured car.

Additional vehicle drivers benefit

Sometimes other people drive our cars for various reasons. Perhaps you should consider adding additional people who are covered by your insurance to drive your vehicle.

Research your car insurance options from insurers

Do your research before you buy comprehensive car insurance. Carefully and objectively compare different insurers’ quotes. Also, be mindful of comparing what each car insurance company’s car insurance cover includes and excludes. Enjoy many safe, happy miles in your car, whichever car insurance you choose to buy.

Disclaimer

Buying car insurance is a serious decision. Please seek advice from a certified financial advisor before you decide to purchase car insurance. This article is for informational purposes only and it does not necessarily refer to a particular car insurance product from any specific insurer. In South Africa, with the high occurrence rate of road accidents, theft and hijackings in certain areas, even if you have paid your car off, it would still be in your best interest to have comprehensive car insurance. A report from the SAPS revealed that 16,325 cars were hijacked and 50,663 vehicles were stolen between 2017 and 2018.²

According to the AA, between 65% and 70% of the 12 million cars registered in South Africa are not insured.¹ This includes Third Party liability insurance. Therefore, if you were to be involved in an accident with one of these uninsured road users, you would most likely have to pay for your own car to be repaired or replaced.