Car cover | My Car Cover

Car cover, or car insurance cover, as it is more commonly known in South Africa, is the one type of insurance SA drivers simply cannot do without. Given the state of the local economy, affordability is once again the primary factor when it comes to car insurance cover and other monthly premiums and expense.

Fortunately, car cover and household insurance companies such as Dial Direct, Dial Direct and Hollard are responsive to market conditions, and are offering consumers the option of getting a better deal: more affordable car insurance cover, and immediate budgetary relief. One in two people who request a car cover quote from Dial Direct will be offered a more affordable car insurance cover premium, and their competitors are following suit by offering more flexibility on car insurance costs.

More car cover, lower premiums

The reality is that South Africans are having to tighten their belts in order to get by. Petrol is up, electricity is up (unless is down, of course) and overall economic growth is definitely down. Food, booze and cigarette prices are all reflecting this, and consumers are again compelled by more affordable product and service offerings, rather than a host of vague loyalty benefits and feel-good add-ons. As such, car cover companies are compelled to throw in added benefits, whilst still offering adequate levels of insurance cover, affordable premiums and service excellence in order to maintain their market share.

Car cover: the prospects for insurers

Luckily, however, it's not all doom and gloom for the South African car insurer; tough market conditions make for great brand-building opportunities, and whoever supports the consumer during trying times will reap the benefits of long-term brand loyalty.

The key for short-term insurance, as always, is to provide insurance cover that is relevant to the consumer's immediate and medium-term needs, and to provide them with peace of mind when it matters most. This necessarily means providing policyholders with the right type of car insurance cover, as well as adequate levels of cover.

Different types of car insurance cover

Choosing the right type of car insurance cover, and getting the right level of cover, is absolutely critical to ensuring financial peace of mind. Most South African car insurers will offer you the below types of car insurance - but not all car insurance cover companies are equal; keep reading for more car cover advice to help you make the right choice:

Third-party car insurance cover

Third-party vehicle cover, in many respects, is the minimum recommended cover any driving South Africa should opt for. Third-party cover will only settle the damages you have caused to someone else's car or property, so it's not a look if you've just bought yourself a brand new vehicle. Try only opt for this if you are a student with a skedonk you really feel rocks for, and won't even flinch if you were to reverse it into a post box or tree. Bear in mind that any damages to your vehicle will be for your own account, and get something more comprehensive – even if your budget will just barely allow it - to ensure that you don't run into large unforeseen and out-of-pocket expenses.

Third-party, fire and theft cover

As the name suggests, Third-party fire and theft will cover the damages you cause to someone else's property, bearing obvious excesses and terms and conditions in mind, but will also cover your vehicle against damage caused by fire and theft-related incidents. If you're looking for budget car insurance, this is generally not a bad policy type to consider – just don't expect any added benefits or bells and whistles.

Comprehensive car cover

If you care about your car, you'll get comprehensived car insurance cover. If you like planning for all eventualities, and if total peace of mind is your style, then this is definitely the type of car insurance cover you'll want to get. Comprehensive car insurance cover policies will cover you from theft, accident damage, fire, and even riot damage, in some instances. Although comprehensive car insurance tends to cost more than other types of car insurance cover policies, it's nonetheless a good investment. Accidents and unforeseen things happen, and when they do, you'll be glad you got the most comprehensive type of car insurance available.

Off-road vehicle cover

Many car insurance companies won't cover you against damages sustained whilst driving off-road in neighbouring countries, unless you opt for additional off-road cover prior to going on your overland safari! If you're going to be venturing into Botswana, Namibia or any of the SADC countries, you should definitely talk to your insurance company about the cover implications prior to your departure. Off-road vehicle cover policies also tend to provide a medical cover benefit, or even theft cover for your equipment, radios, cellphones and spare wheels.

Find out what you need, and get covered – forewarned is forearmed!

What is a good car cover excess amount?

The short answer to this is simply, whatever you can realistically afford. Don't cut corners on your levels of insurance cover, or get a really high excess, in order to help you afford a more expensive vehicle – all your overheads come out of the same budget! Rather get adequate car insurance cover and an affordable car insurance excess amount sorted first, and then only see what you can afford to spend on monthly vehicle repayments. As a rule of thumb, imagine being faced with major damages to your vehicle the same month you have two weddings to attend as well as four birthday parties and a baby shower to buy gifts for.

If you're budget will buckle under this strain, it's probably best to lower your excess amount; you'll know when it will be realisitic!

How does vehicle usage affect my car insurance cover policy choice?

This is a very important point: Even though you may not think so, car insurance cover companies are very interest in what you use your vehicle for. If you are an office drone and you drive to and from work every day, your usage of your vehicle will be considered "private". If you are a travelling sales rep or a mobile client service representative, however, your usage will be considered as "business usage".

Business usage entails more frequent travelling, and increases the risk of an accident. If you are a "business" vehicle user and you neglect to tell a car insurer that when you sign up, it may well result in your claim not being settled should you have an accident during working hours.

When all calls are being recorded, honesty is the best policy. Always. Happy car insurance hunting - With My Car Cover, you've got multiple car insurance cover quotes at your fingertips!