Types of Car Insurance

Roughly 65 percent of South African motorists don’t have car insurance. That is extremely worrying for the minority who do. What is preventing all these people from assuming responsibility and buying at least the basic cover?

We will start with a look at the different types of insurance. There are three basic types of insurance in South Africa.

The minimum cover is Third Party. This covers your liability (costs) if you damage someone elses personal property in an car accident. This includes other cars or structural property that may also be damaged.

You can add a minimum value by purchasing a Third Party Fire and Theft cover. That will cover the cost in the event of your car being damaged by or incase of theft.

Comprehensive Cover is the recommended cover for most South Africans. It includes Third Party Fire and Theft and also covers damage to your own vehicle in an accident that is deemed your fault. It also includes additional coverage such as extending cover when you drive someone elses car.

Other insurnce schemes mainly consider the drivers in South Africa.they may be comprehensive covers,bike or caravan also.

Because South Africa is a high risk insurance environment, premiums can be high. But you can take some steps to lower your premiums.South Africa is often a world leader in traffic injuries and fatalities and the roads are becoming increasingly dangerous. Car theft and hijackings are also all too common.

Begin by looking around and comparing quotes. It is much easier to research your many options via web. You could also possibly get discounts if you purchase your policy via the web if the company you want to work with enables this.

Drive safe and save on your premiums. Claim-free years should earn you rewards from your carrier. If not, scout for companies that would offer value rates to you.

During the purchase of insurance, you should check the maximum amount that you are going to paid if claimed. If this excess amount is high, then premium will also be high. Selection of maximum amount depends on you. It gives you benefit on long run, if you can afford higher excess amount.

If you own an expensive or high performance vehicle, you will pay more for your premiums. These cars cost more to insure because they are considered a higher risk and are expensive to replace or repair. So when you car shop, keep in mind that your insurance premiums will add to the cost of owning the vehicle you choose.

Because most insurance companies often have minimum security requirements for vehicles that they secure, exceeding the minimums by adding security devices can result in a discounted premium.

If you live in a high crime area, your car is at greater risk for theft or hijacking. Consider moving to get lower premiums. You can also receive a discount if you park your car in a locked garage or behind locked gates overnight.

Don’t be afraid to negoiate a deal with your insurance company, because they are very interested in keeping your business and willing to work out a deal with you.

Tom Martens is the content syndication coordinator for Carinsurancesa.co.za. South Aricas leading car insurance portal.

Car Insurance Reviewed

From the urban to the off-road, drivers can find suitable insurance coverage to meet their specific needs. Car insurers are constantly designing products for South Africa’s unique driving environments.

If you don’t have insurance, take stock of your situation. Can you afford to repair or replace your car in the event of an accident? Can you afford to repair or replace someone else’s car or property in the event of an accident that is your fault? What if your car is stolen, hijacked or vandalized? Owning and driving a car is risky business – that’s why you need car insurance.Most South Africans should have Comprehensive Cover. In reality, 65 percent of auto owners in South Africa do not have any coverage. This is a shocking number especially in light of the rising rates of fatalities and injuries on South Africa’s roads.

Other options include Third Party Fire and Theft Cover, which pays to replace or repair your vehicle as a result of fire, theft or attempted theft. Third Party Only covers you if you are responsible for damage to someone else’s property in an auto accident.

South Africa is home to a large motorcycle community, so it follows that insurers offer products designed especially for these drivers. Motorcycle cover provides the peace of mind that your motorcycle will be covered if it is stolen or damaged or if you damage someone else’s property in a motorcycle accident.

Because the great outdoors is such a large part of South African living, several products have been developed for the risks associated with outdoor travel. For off-road enthusiasts, there is Off-Road Comprehensive cover designed to cover the risks in this unique and unpredictable driving environment.

When you have not looked at insurance premiums before you may be surprised at how expensive they are. There are factors that determine the rates that you do not have control over and some that you do have control over.

Your age and driving record are important factors even if you cannot do anything much about them. Time is an important factor; you will pay more if you’re very young or have no history of driving. You will also pay more if you’ve had many accidents. On the other hand, if you’ve driven safely for a while, you will pay lower premiums.

If you are purchasing a new vehicle, the vehicle you are purchasing will effect your car insurance and the premiums. If you buy or own a vehicle that is expensive you will find that insurance will be more, sometimes this is due to the simple risk of theft.

Some companies have minimum safety requirements, but will discount your premiums if you exceed these minimums. Also consider where you keep your vehicle. If your car is parked in a high-crime area or even on the street overnight, you’ll pay for that risk.Another way to reduce your premiums is to increase your safety measures.

Take the time to research the different types of insurance and how they apply to your situation. As you shop, remember that the cheapest insurance is not always the best. Make sure the policy you choose meets your needs at a price you can afford.

Tom Martens is the content syndication coordinator for Carinsurancesa.co.za. South Arica’s leading car insurance portal.

Car Insurance Tips

No matter where you are in the world finding insurance that is suitable to your needs is not an impossible task. In shopping for car insurance, you need to know what the policy will cover and what you can do to save on your payments and premiums.

Car insurance comes in three basic types, which are Comprehensive, Third Party, and Third Party Fire and Theft. Third Party pays for damage to other people’s property if you cause the accident. Third Party Fire and Theft also covers damages caused by fires and attempted thefts. Comprehensive Cover also includes damages to your own car in an accident that is caused by you.

The most recommended car insurance for South Africans is comprehensive cover, it happens to be the most expensive but it also completely covers their risks. Now that you have been advised on what type of coverage you need, let’s take a look at how to get that coverage at the best price. The following is ten things you can do to reduce your premiums. Every suggestion listed may not work for you, but you will be sure to find something that will help you.

It’s easy to do this research online or through a broker. You can also get a discount if you purchase your policy online. Check with individual companies for this option. First, shop around and compare quotes. You can find substantial savings just by taking this step to educate yourself about your options.

Each policy comes with a deductible, which is the amount you have to pay if you file a claim. People save money by selecting a higher deductible. Make sure if you ever file a claim you a sure to pay the deductible.

Safe drivers benefit in the form of lower premiums. Each claim-free year may qualify you for a discount with your current insurer or earn a better rate with another company.

High performance and expensive car models cost more to insure due to their increased risk profile and expensive replacement parts. Be sure to include your insurance premiums in your car shopping budget. Always consider your insurance costs when you’re shopping for a vehicle.

Living in high crime areas will increase your rates due to there being a greater possibility of your vehicle being stolen or hijacked. You should greatly consider moving to a better neighborhood, not only to save money on premiums, but for greater personal safety.

You could get a discount if you park your car in a locked garage or behind locked gates overnight. Keeping your vehicle off the street at night reduces the risk that it will be stolen or damaged, therefore reducing your premium.

You can add security devices such as gearlocks or global tracking devices that exceed the minimum requirements and receive a discount.Most insurance companies will have minimum security requirements for the vehicles it insures.

The number of people you let drive your car is also a risk factor. If you keep the number of allowed drivers at a mininmum it helps the insurer calculate your risk factor better in turn lowering your premium.

Do not be timid about bargaining. Several insurance carriers have negotiable rates and will work closely with a potential customer in order to obtain new business.

Tom Martens is the syndication coordinator for Carinsurancesa.co.za. South Arica’s leading car insurance portal.

Getting Short Term Car Insurance

Short-term car insurance will be expensive due to high risks, especially in places such as South Africa. Knowing how to lessen the fees will help lead you down the correct path.

First, let’s examine what is driving the costs. Car insurance risk is the major culprit behind higher short-term insurance premiums. Industry experts cannot ignore that South African roads are increasingly dangerous. The country is often a leader in traffic injuries and fatalities. The privilege of driving is constantly being extended, even to those who are not qualified drivers.

You will find that as more upgrades are offered on cars the price to insure those cars will also go up. And looking at history you will also find that younger drivers,’-30, will pay the most for their insurance.

In the homeowners and household insurance market, the main influencing factor is fraud. Some estimate are that six to 10 percent of short term insurance claims are fraudulent. That amounts to more than R2 billion each year.Insurers must also consider car theft and hijackings as they calculate their premiums. The latest statistics show a decline in thefts, but the rate of hijackings continues to rise.

Even though you have no control over the number of fraudulent claims, you can keep their effects from impacting your premiums. Try making the offer to your insurer to submit to a polygraph test each time you submit a claim. Many will offer a substantial savings on your premium in return for your honesty. Now, how can you overcome these factors for your own personal situation?

For car insurance, start by increasing you excess as this can lower your premium. Take this into consideration as you gather quotes. Also, be sure you can afford to pay the excess amount you choose in the event of a claim.

Keep a clean driving record. The fewer claims you have, the less risk you represent. If you already have a sketchy driving history, research driving courses offered by automobile manufacturers and the Automobile Association. This can help offset a negative history. This is also an option for good drivers. Most insurers will consider reducing your premiums if you attend and pass one of these recognized courses.

It certainloy never hurts to install security devices. Not only will your rates be reduced, but your belongings will be secured. Devices that discourage car jacking, along with a global tracking system are wise choices to that end. If you can afford to do so, move out of neighborhoods known for elevated crime levels. Your car and homeowners insurance rates will decrease significantly.

You should look around for the best rates, but don’t just go for the cheapest. Make sure the policy you choose is adequate as well as affordable.

Tom Martens is the content syndication coordinator for Carinsurancesa.co.za. South Arica’s leading car insurance portal.