What types of car insurance are there in South Africa?

It’s important to remember that any car insurance you buy must suit you financially and all your requirements. See below the various kinds of car insurance available in the South African marketplace.^1,2,3,4

As the name suggests, this cover is comprehensive, covering damage to both the third party’s car and your car when in an accident. If the accident is your fault, your insurer will pay for all the costs required for repairing the third party’s car and your car. When the accident is not your fault, your insurer may try and recover third party costs from the third party’s insurance company.¹

This kind of insurance also covers damage caused by hitting an animal or falling objects, theft, vandalism, fire and floodwater incidents, and natural disasters. Compare this to Prime South Africa’s comprehensive car insurance described below.¹

This insurance plan includes accident cover and write-off, damage caused by natural fire and disaster, and theft and hijacking. In addition, there is third-party vehicle liability protection of up to R1 million per incident. The policy also covers your car for up to 100% of its retail value at the time of the loss. Twenty-four-hour roadside assistance, towing, and hail damage cover are other benefits. Should you die in an accident, there’s a benefit of free R10,000 accidental death cover for your bereaved family. ²

In addition, Prime has customised car insurance cover, which is a step down from its comprehensive car insurance product.³

This includes total loss cover for theft and hijacking, natural fire and disaster, and accidental write-off. A growing cover helps towards repair costs caused by smaller accidents. Third-party vehicle liability protection is up to R500,000 per incident, while cover for your car is up to its full market value. Other benefits include hail damage cover and 24-hour roadside assistance.³

This cheaper insurance only covers damage to a third party’s car but not yours. This is if the accident was your fault. If not, the third party must pay for your car’s damages. If the third party has no cover, you would have to try and recover costs via a legal route. If your vehicle is several years old, and you feel you can repair your car at your own expense, then this cover may suit you.¹

Besides covering damage to the third party’s car, this cover will pay out for car theft or any fire or storm damage. In addition, it covers any car damage caused by attempted theft.¹

This covers damage to the third party’s car and also pays for your car if written off or stolen.¹

This specific product and its growing cover component protect you from third-party claims. A growing cover contributes to the cost of repair or loss caused by smaller accidents and can grow up to the car’s full trade value. Third-party liability cover is another benefit, with liability protection up to R500,000 per incident. The last benefit is hail damage cover of up to R10,000.⁴

The article aims to inform you of the different types of car insurance. ^1,2,3,4

If you need to learn more about affordable car insurance, we at Prime can assist you with our world-class client service. Our car insurance includes comprehensive and customised car insurance with fixed premiums* and reducing excess*. The comprehensive and customised car insurance plans cover cars not older than 15 years, but cars older than 15 years are covered by the third-party PLUS car insurance. Note: Prime is responsible for marketing and policy distribution, all their non-life (short term) insurance policies is underwritten by Santam Structured Insurance Limited (Registration Number 1952/000436/06, FSP Number 1027). Santam Structured Insurance Limited is the non-life insurance company that provides your cover and pays your claims.  T and Cs apply.