Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Car Inusrance

By Tom Martens

The automotive insurance market in South Africa is one of the more difficult ones in which to operate. Since the government does not mandate that all drivers carry car insurance, most drivers end up going without it. Also, drivers there are some of the worst around. In fact, South Africa has often had the dubious honor of being ranked number one in both traffic injuries and fatalities.

This combination of a risky driving environment and the alarming number of uninsured drivers has led to high insurance premiums for responsible drivers looking for auto cover.

Although it is the most costly form of insurance cover, Comprehensive Cover provides the highest form of protection of all the other insurance covers. The cover includes protection not provided by the other two other forms of cover, Third Party and Third Party Fire and Theft. Third Party covers you in case there is damage another persons property in an accident or a person is injured in a mishap that you are responsible for. Third Party Fire and Theft covers you when your vehicle is destroyed by fire or is stolen. Comprehensive Cover on the other hand is an all inclusive cover. It covers damage to your car, medical expenses and replacement of broken glass

This may not mean much to you right now. But when you realize that each time you get behind the wheel, you take the risk of damage to your car, to yourself, and to other people and property into your own hands, driving without insurance is really a frightening idea. Can you afford to repair or replace your car if you are in an accident? If you cause an accident, can you afford to repair or replace someone elses car or property? What if your car is stolen, hijacked or vandalized? If you cant afford to pay for these things out of your pocket, you need insurance.

Now that youre aware of your need for insurance, take some time to learn about the options you have to lower your premiums.

The best way to reduce your car insurance premiums is to maintain a clean driving record. Since every claim that you make on your insurance costs your insurer money, the more claims you have made, the more that they will need to charge you. By the same token, maintaining a clean driving record will lead to lower premiums.

The next driving factor is the type of vehicle youre insuring. High performance vehicles are considered higher risk. High-dollar models are also more expensive to insure because they are more costly to replace or repair.

Adopt safety measures like gear locks or global tracking applications and pay less on your premiums. Excel by exceeding your policy demands and claim discounts on your policy.

As you begin to research your insurance options, youll find comparing quotes and policies easiest online. You can even get a discount for buying your policy online. Keep in mind as youre shopping that the cheapest insurance is not always the best choice. Your goal is to find the insurance that meets your needs at a price you can afford.

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