At Quick Read, we offer you a wide range of car insurance companies in South Africa. However, will help you choose the best insurance that suits your needs. All our insurance partners offer flexible premiums at whatever level of cover you need.
Why do you need car insurance?
Having car insurance is a legal requirement in many countries. This is stipulated in the Road Traffic Act of many countries. Having insurance gives you a peace of mind. Should you be involved in a car accident, your insurer will cover you financially.
Car insurance serves as the protector in an event of an accident. It’s not only limited to accidents, but it also protects you against theft and hijack, cover costs for damages to your car, as well as repairing costs and injuries made to the passengers.
What types of car insurance are available?
There are three main types of car insurance available from our insurance partners. It’s easy to get confused when trying to understand which cover will suit your needs. Rest assured, we are here to help you with everything you need to know about these kinds of covers. After this, you will confidently choose whatever level of cover which is better for you.
Types of car insurance
- Third Party – this covers the damage caused by you to other people or someone’s vehicle. It doesn’t cover damages caused to your own car.
- Third Party, Fire & Theft – you will be covered when your car is stolen or burnt through natural fire.
- Comprehensive Cover – this is the highest level of cover. Comprehensive cover fully protect you if your car is accidentally damaged, stolen, damaged by fire or your car has been written off. If you are involved in a road traffic accident, your insurer will cover you and the people injured.
Why should you take out car insurance through us?
We offer you a wide selection of simple and flexible car insurance companies. Through our help, you will get whatever you are looking for. Our comparison tools allow you to check different quotes and you will know exactly how much you will pay. There are also options for a once-off annual fee depending on the insurer you choose.
Should you need help, our partners offer a live chat for claims, as well as helpline. You can also SMS them for a call back and they will respond fast. That’s the reason we trust them and we know they deliver the best service for their customers.
How do you get a car insurance quote?
You will need to visit our partners’ websites and complete an insurance quote from online. You will need the following insurance to submit your enquiry:
- Your personal details: Name, Surname, Date of birth, job title, home address
- Your car details: Car registration number, make, model and age of the car
- Your driving history: You will need to provide how long you have been driving, claiming history
- Uses of your car: you will also have to tell your insurer how your car will be use. Whether for personal or business use.
- Parking: where will your car be parked during the day and at night. Also, you will be required to state if the car will be parked whether in the garage, closed gate or not.
You can always ask for additional information to avoid misunderstanding.
When you purchase insurance, you make a personal decision about what you want to be covered for. Should anything happen to you or your property, you know you are insured. There are many insurance companies in the market. This means you have unlimited options to choose from.
When buying insurance, make sure you have all the required documents in place. If you are purchasing insurance online, make sure you have all the information you need to get the right quote.
After getting a quote from the insurance company, you will know how much premiums you will pay and what you are covered for. Also find out about the cooling off-period so that when you wish to cancel your insurance policy, the insurer won’t give you a hassle. Most insurance products have a cooling-off period of a minimum of 14-days. If you cancel your insurance within 14-days, you will not be liable for any costs. However, under law, if you cancel your policy after 14 days, your insurer will charge you a cancellation fee.
Before you purchase an insurance policy
Before you purchase an insurance policy make sure you have the following:
- Ask as many questions as you can (ask about features, excess fees, premiums)
- Notify your current insurer that you want to move to another company
- Check all the things you want to be covered for
- Check the risks you may face with your policy
- Familiarise yourself with different insurances and products
- Get quotes from different insurers
- Check if there will be any additional fees that you might pay
- Check any additional cover you might want
- Understand the market and trading value of your item and the impact of paying for its loss
Comparing insurance policies
Not all insurances are the same. Each insurer is different and they will offer you products that are different from those offered by other insurance companies. With differences in the cover, the costs, exclusions and terms and conditions will apply.
Read terms and conditions thoroughly and choose the product that meets all your needs. The terms and conditions will be included in the policy document that your insurer will send you. Also, insurers put a Product Disclosure Statement on their website so that customers can either download or read online. This statement also sets out all necessary information about the cover.
For insurance quotes, simply email or dial insurers and ask how you will be covered by the policy. The final decision is yours even though friends and family may also recommended some products to you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Car Insurance
What is the difference between CTP and other car covers?
Compulsory Third Party insurance covers caused to other persons such as road users (pedestrians and cyclists) in an event of an accident. This policy does not cover damaged caused to your car, or other people’s vehicles. You can always go back and compare between, Comprehensive, Third Party property and Third Party Fire and Theft cover.
Why young drivers pay higher premiums?
The report shows that young drivers and inexperienced driers have higher risk of accidents than any other driver. They are more likely to be involved in accidents. Young and inexperienced drivers pay higher premiums because insurance company will have to pay more claims in an event of an accident.
Should I mention all drivers on my policy?
Yes, all regular drivers must be listed. However, listing regular drivers can affect your policy and the decision to insure you in the event of claim.
What is a “No-claim bonus or discount”?
A no-claim bonus or discount is given to all drivers who have not claimed for a longer period on their insurance policy. However, this differs from company to company. After receiving insurance policy documents, make sure you check different types of discounts and how do you qualify. Do not make any claims if you’re not liable, as this will affect your “no-claim bonus or discounts” in future.
Are my personal belongings or extra featured covered on my policy?
Your car insurer may not cover anything that can easily be stolen or removed from your car. The insurance company may not pay personal properties such as mobile devices, laptop or briefcase. Also, things like mag-wheels may not be covered. It is always advisable not to leave gadgets or personal stuff in your car as they may attract attention. Check with your insurance company before deciding on any policy.
What to do in an event of an accident?
We have listed a number of steps that you should take when you are involved in an accident. See the steps below:
- In an event of a car accident, move everyone involved to a safe place
- Call 911 or an ambulance if there’s someone who has been injured
- In some cases, you will be asked to let the police know if a breakdown (tow-truck) is needed
- Collect names and contact information of eye witnesses
- Take photos of the accident (damaged cars)
- Write down the following information about other motorists concerned:
- Name and Surname
- Contact cell number
- Address
- Vehicle registration (Number plate)
- Insurance details
- Statement of the accident (explain what happened)
- Contact your insurance company to discuss the steps that you will need to take. This includes removing your car from the accident scene. Some insurers give you a temporary car while they are still fixing yours. Check with your insurer if they offer a “car-higher” option.
Can my claim fail or become difficult?
This is one of the most important questions to consider. Most insurance companies payout when you claim. However, they might not cover you as a result of;
- The car not registered
- The driver was under the influence of alcohol/drugs
- The car was not in good condition or road worthy
- The police have charged you with an offence
- The driver not licensed
- Driving with an expired licence disk
Will my insurer cover me for off-road driving?
Probably yes or no, but this is something you should check with your insurer. Check if you are covered and the requirements for off-road. If they process your claim and insure you, you might pay higher premium if you’re planning to drive off road. This will account for the higher risk.
Can modifications have an effect on my insurance?
Yes, you need to tell your insurer about modifications made to your car as soon as possible. It may affect your claim if you fail to inform your insurance. When buying car insurance, answer questions honestly about modifications. If you are planning to modify your car, also notify your insurer beforehand as this might affect your monthly premiums. Remember, insurance companies only cover for legal accessories and modifications. Contact your insurer for more information.
Image Courtesy: localinsuresearch.com