3 Things Which Help Reduce Your Monthly Insurance Premiums
Car insurance is an investment that provides peace-of-mind in the event of accidental damage or loss to your vehicle; however, it can be pricey.
Here’s Why Cancelling Your Car Insurance Is A Terrible Idea
If you don’t have insurance and are hit by an uninsured driver, your medical care won’t be covered, and neither will the repairs to your car.
5 types of pictures you MUST take at the scene of an accident
Accidents can happen to anyone at any time, but reports of how one occurred, can differ considerably.
In addition to following the normal process of collecting information, taking pictures also comes in handy; after all, pictures say a thousand words. That said, it is important to keep in mind that the purpose of taking pictures at an accident site is for photographic evidence and notto show off the gory nature of the accident.
Here are a few tips on the types of pictures you should ideally take at the scene of an accident.
- “Set the stage: Before you begin clicking away at the accident damaged cars, you need to “set the stage” of the accident. This allows you to “bring the accident site to the insurer” for the obvious reason that those people were not present when the accident took place. Taking pictures which allow them to be present at the scene allows them to get a better understanding of what happened moments before the collision.
- The position of the vehicles: Take images from all four directions (north, south, east and west) and include all the affected vehicles, road markings, street names, traffic signage, road surface/condition, etc. Ensure that you include portions, if not the entire vehicle, so that your car’s placement can be viewed in relation to the accident. These images will make it easier to show how the vehicles came to a stop in the position they did, after the accident occurred.
- Position of damage on the vehicle: Many people tend to take pictures of the damage on their car which sadly, is not as relevant to accident investigators, as the position of the damage on the car. Don’t get it wrong – showing the damage is important but it is only part of the evidence required to help make your case. Rather, take images that show the damage in relation to the surrounding, undamaged area of the car. For instance, if another driver collided with yours from the left, take pictures of the entire left-hand side of the car, as well as a close-up of the damaged area.
- Road conditions / General environment: Focus on damage to the surroundings as a result of the accident. These could include fluid spills, tyre/skid markings, pieces that may have come off the accident-damaged vehicles, road markings, road signs (or the absence thereof), street lights, potholes, road works, mile markers and any other unique features. Remember to keep your car (portion of or whole) in the frame as a “reference” point.
- Documentation: It is important to take pictures of the documents belonging to all parties involved. These should include driver’s licenses, IDs, license disks and/or license plates, and vehicle branding. In addition, it is advisable to take pictures of any injuries you or others might have sustained, including medical reports of your check-up post the accident.
Remember to clean the lens of your phone camera so that the images are clear and the text on the licenses and car branding is easy to read; and that it is illegal to distribute images of other people without their consent. The pictures you take should only be used to aid your version of events.
NB: This article is a guide and does not represent any insurance, legal or accident codes of behavior.
The importance of car insurance to suit your needs and your pocket
For many people, car insurance is a grudge purchase because it isn’t something many people are excited to pay; yet without it, you could find yourself in long-term financial difficulties if your car isn’t covered by insurance.
If you are thinking of cutting back on your monthly expenses by saving on car insurance payments, you might end up thinking again if something were to happen to your car – and, even more so if the incident is your fault. As a first-time car owner, paying for insurance should be a must-have line item within your monthly budget.
Car insurance is a way of protecting your car – and yourself – against the harm and the costs if your vehicle is involved in an unfortunate incident such as an accident or gets stolen. By paying a monthly insurance premium and your personal return on investment is the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your vehicle will be covered by your insurer.
Knowing why you need car insurance is one thing but, making sure you choose the policy that will best safeguard your vehicle, is another – Kutlwano Mogatusi, WesBank Motor communication specialist
If your vehicle is insured with a reputable insurer catering for your needs, you will be covered for a vehicle accident, a natural disaster, fire or theft. In the unlucky incident that the accident is your fault and damage is caused to another vehicle, the driver or passengers, or even a pedestrian, your insurance should cover you for that too.
So, why do you need car insurance?
Well, if life were predictable, and we could see into the future through a crystal ball, we might think of insurance as an unnecessary cost. However, because it isn’t, and we can’t, having car insurance is like a safety net if something goes wrong.
Also, if you are trying to settle an insurance claim with a third party who has damaged your vehicle, you can call on your insurance company to resolve the matter. It takes the stress out of the process, and you don’t need to get involved in the admin related matters. You also have the peace of mind that it will keep your car safe in the case of an unforeseen curved ball that life might throw your way.
“Knowing why you need car insurance is one thing but, making sure you choose the policy that will best safeguard your vehicle, is another. The right policy ensures that your vehicle is safe from natural disasters, the threat of theft, fire, third party cover, damage or even a write-off resulting from an accident. This is comprehensive insurance cover, and it is usually mandatory if you have a vehicle finance agreement with a financial institution such as WesBank,” explains Kutlwano Mogatusi, WesBank Motor communication specialist.
A luxury car will attract a higher insurance premium, while an older vehicle or a second-hand car with a lower market value will cost less to insure
– KUTLWANO MOGATUSI, WESBANK MOTOR COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST
Knowing how insurance works will serve you well
The best car insurance policies include vehicle repairs and replacements, reimbursement for damages to the other party or parties from an accident you cause, car hire while your car is being repaired, and even roadside assistance. When you report a claim to your insurance company, a representative should be available to manage the claims process and assist you with any questions you may have.
Shopping around for a policy that suits both your needs and your pocket is advisable. Be sure to read, and understand, the terms and conditions within the fine print too – you don’t want any nasty surprises if you need to make a claim.
“Knowing what factors can affect the amount you pay on your monthly premium will also help you make a more informed decision on what insurance policy to use.
This starts with the type of vehicle you drive – a luxury car will attract a higher insurance premium, while an older vehicle or a second-hand car with a lower market value will cost less to insure. Even the colour of the vehicle can impact the insurance cost, with white and lighter-coloured cars attracting a lower premium,” explains Mogatusi.
With so many car insurance deals on the market, you can shop around for the best rates.
– KUTLWANO MOGATUSI, WESBANK MOTOR COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST
Factor which affect your premiums
Living in South Africa, the risk of vehicle theft is a real issue too, and some makes of cars are more of a target for thieves and crime syndicates. Again, this can influence your insurance policy premium because the insurer will take into account the increased risk in insuring your vehicle.
Premiums can also be affected by other factors such as your age, where you live and work, and the length of time you have been a licensed driver. How you manage your personal finances and your credit history will also be considered as the insurance provider needs to ascertain your risk profile when determining your premiums.
As a young professional, if you have been driving for less than five years, you are considered an inexperienced driver to the insurance company. No matter how competent a driver you may be, the insurer considers an inexperienced driver to pose a greater risk if you are involved in an accident. Again, this will affect your premiums, as will the noting of who the regular driver of the vehicle is. It is important to ensure these details are listed correctly.
Always look for the best deal to suit your pocket; we will always recommend comprehensive insurance as first prize.
– KUTLWANO MOGATUSI, WESBANK MOTOR COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST
A high safety rating and increased safety measures in the car can attract a lower insurance premium. This is because the vehicle has less chance of being broken into and features such as airbags, ABS brakes, a seat-belt warning system and rear-view camera could assist in lessening the damage in the case of an accident.
While the monthly premiums for insurance may seem like a grudge payment, it is important to consider this in alternative light.
If you are involved in an incident and have no insurance cover, you will have to pay for the damages to your car and the other vehicle, if it is your fault, from your own pocket.
“With so many car insurance deals on the market, you can shop around for the best rates. Consider the extra benefits on offer too, such as roadside assistance, discounts for good driving or lowering your premiums annually as your vehicle depreciates in value.
Look for the best deal to suit your pocket. We will always recommend comprehensive insurance as first prize. If this is not affordable in your current circumstances, make sure that at the very minimum you then have the basics of fire, theft and third-party covered,” says Mogatusi.
Introduction to Motor Vehicle Insurance
Motor vehicle insurance has been described as a necessary evil – but necessary it is!
There are just over 11 million registered vehicles in South Africa (excluding caravans and trailers). According to statistics, the majority of these vehicles – around 60-70% are uninsured. This means that to keep you on the road, insurance is not a luxury, but a necessity.
Motorists who are opt to have insurance, often choose insurance products based on the lowest available premiums, rather than from a point of understanding the benefits and disadvantages of the products they are consider buying.
Granted, it is sometimes difficult to find insurance which matches your pocket, and which gives you the cover you need or want. For this reason, it is necessary for motorists to read their policies carefully, so as to understand all the aspects of the insurance they are planning on taking. Too often, low premiums sound good but fall short when claims are made.
A good example is an excess fee which may be payable when a claim is made. An excess is a fee you pay towards a claim for loss or damage to your car, regardless of who is to blame.
A company offering a low monthly premium, for instance, may require a substantial excess in the case of loss or damage. When this happens some people are shocked to discover that the costs of repair to a vehicle may be carried entirely, or in part, through the excess fee, with little or no money being paid-out by the insurer. In this case lower monthly premiums, will not count for much as the motorist still has to pay a big portion of the costs out of their own pocket.
Equally important, is an understanding of the terminology of used in insurance contracts. Motorists must ask for clarification of any unclear clauses before committing to a specific insurance policy.
Critical questions to ask when considering insurance are:
- What is my excess? Is there a different excess for loss and for damage?
- Is the excess a flat rate, or is it calculated as a percentage of the loss or damage?
- Besides the initial excess fee, are there any additional excess fees payable when I make a claim?
- Are there any penalties for claiming within the first six months, or in the first year? (If there are, determine exactly what these penalties are)
- What is the turnaround time for claims?
- Will I be covered if other people drive my car? (And, if you are covered, is there a difference in the coverage if the car was driven by an 18-year-old driver or a 45-year-old driver?)
- Is my car covered for resale or full retail value?
- Is this insurance comprehensive insurance?
- Are there any limitations on where or when I can drive my car?
- If something happens to my car, is car hire included in my cover while it is being repaired or replaced
Consumer education is vitally important for motorists. It is not enough to merely rely on one’s countless years of driving experience, vehicle safety features or lucky charms. By virtue of being on the road you are at great physical, mental and financial rise if you drive an uninsured car.
