When it comes to car insurance in South Africa, there are three main types available: Comprehensive insurance; Third party, fire and theft insurance; and Third party only insurance. In this article, let’s take a closer look at the most extensive type of cover, namely comprehensive insurance:

By law, drivers need to at least have Third party only insurance, which means that they would be covered against any claims made by drivers who are involved in an accident which is your fault. The problem with this, however, is that you cannot make claims for damages caused to your own car unless you can prove that the accident was not your fault. For this reason, most people tend to opt for comprehensive insurance which is the most extensive type of car insurance.

Comprehensive insurance allows you to claim for all sorts of accidents, whether they are your fault or not. This includes accidents where fault cannot be proven, such as damage done to your parked car. Without comprehensive insurance, you run the risk of having to pay the bills for this type of damage and it could work out to be very costly, especially if you own an expensive car.

Depending on the insurance company you are using, comprehensive insurance could entail different policy extras. For example, one insurance company may offer a courtesy car should your car need repairs, while another may not. For this reason, it is important to always find out about these details before buying into an insurance policy. If you don’t, you may find yourself having to pay for small extras which you had assumed come standard.

In conclusion, comprehensive insurance is definitely the most beneficial and extensive type of car insurance which will give you the peace of mind that you need when owning a car. If you opt for comprehensive insurance, you need only worry about paying an excess on your policy. It may be more costly, but in most cases it is well worth it. Do your research before choosing an insurance company and weigh up the pros and cons. In some cases, Third party, fire and theft cover or Third party cover may be a more viable option, but every case is different.

A car is a huge investment, so make sure that you make it an enjoyable experience by selecting an insurance company and insurance type which fulfills all your needs!

One Response

  1. My daughters vehicle was stolen and our insurance wants us to pay both basic cover as well as theft cover excess, is this correct. How will I establish the ” CORRECT MARKET VALUE ” of the vehicle as I believe that the company is settling for very little..

    Would appreciate some advise.

    Thank you

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