Tag: comprehensive car insurance

  • YOUR CAR INSURANCE QUESTIONS ANSWERED

    YOUR CAR INSURANCE QUESTIONS ANSWERED

     

    Buying car insurance can feel like decoding a secret language. “What does this cover?” “Do I really need this extra?” “How do I even get a quote online?” Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. Let’s break down all your car insurance questions and accelerate your knowledge from zero to expert! 

     

    What Does Car Insurance Cover? 

    The answer depends on the type of policy you choose. 

    Types of Car Insurance Cover 

    In South Africa, your main options are: 

    • Comprehensive Insurance: Covers you for accidental damage, theft, hijacking, fire, and damage to the property of others. 
    • Third-Party, Fire & Theft: Covers damage you cause to the property of others, plus fire or theft of your car. 
    • Third-Party Only: This only covers damage you cause to other people’s property. 

    RELATED: INSURING YOUR CAR FOR RETAIL, MARKET, OR TRADE VALUE 

    What’s Included and What’s Optional? 

    Depending on the type of plan you choose, cover usually includes accident repairs, towing, and third-party liability. Extras such as cover for your minor scratches and dents are often optional add-ons.  

    Are you curious what your cover might cost? Get a quick car insurance quote online. 

     

    How to Choose the Right Car Insurance 

    Customising Your Policy Based on Driving Habits (Name Your Price™) 

    With our Name Your Price™ car insurance, you can literally tailor your policy to your lifestyle. You drive less? Pay less. Not driving on weekends? Turn it off and slash your monthly premium! 

    Factors That Affect Your Premium 

    Insurers weigh up: 

    • Your car: Make, model, age, and repair costs. 
    • Your profile: Age, driving history, and where you park your car. 
    • Risk factors: Theft hotspots, accident statistics. 
    • Extras: Telematics devices such as our dotsure.co.za Smart-box, which monitors driving, can lower premiums if you drive well. 

    RELATED: HOW INSURANCE COMPANIES CALCULATE YOUR PREMIUMS 

     

    How to Get Car Insurance in South Africa 

    Eligibility Criteria 

    To qualify, most South African drivers usually need: 

    • A valid driver’s licence 
    • A registered and roadworthy vehicle 
    • To be the registered owner or stand to suffer a financial loss 
    • To be the regular driver of the car or disclose who is 

    How to Get Car Insurance Online 

    Good news! You don’t need to wait in call centre queues! Sign up online in just a few clicks and you’re covered. Here’s how it works: 

    1. Fill in your details. 
    2. Compare multiple cover options instantly 
    3. Choose the plan that works best for you. 
    4. Customise your cover with Name Your Price™ 
    5. Cover your ride. 

    Get car insurance online right now! Plus, once you’re signed up, you can manage your policy online with our 24/7 Manage Portal or chat with Ace , our AI-powered chatbot,  online or via WhatsApp to answer any queries. 

      

    Understanding Claims 

    Accidents happen. The question is: what’s the process and how do you claim? 

    When to File a Car Insurance Claim 

    File a claim as soon as possible after an accident, theft, or damage. Most insurers (including us) would like notification within 48 hours. Once you have submitted your claim, we will process it and pay out valid claims within 5 days. 

    How Do I Log a Claim? 

    The best way to submit a claim is through the Manage Portal. Once you’re logged in, head to the “Overview” page, find the product you’d like to claim for, and click “Submit Claim.” Make sure to have the following information handy: 

    • Policy number; ID number; image of vehicle license. 
    • Date, time, and cause of the incident. 
    • SAPS AR report and CAS No. (must be obtained within 24 hours of the incident). 

    Having this ready speeds up processing and gets you back on the road faster. You can track your claim in real-time via Ace, your 24/7 insurance assistant. 

    RELATED: HOW TO CLAIM ON YOUR CAR INSURANCE 

     

    Managing Your Car Insurance 

    Even after you’re insured, questions pop up. Here are two we hear a lot. 

    Why Do I See Multiple Debits 

    If you notice multiple debits, it’s probably due to value-added products you’ve chosen to add to your car insurance policy. These products carry separate premiums and are debited individually each month. 

    Do I Still Need a Smart-box If I Already Have a Tracker? 

    Yes, they’re different. 

    • Trackers help recover stolen cars. 
    • The Smart-box offers more than just tracking. It provides insights into your driving behaviour, which allows us to tailor your premium and cover to your specific driving habits. 

    With your dotsure.co.za Smart-box and the MyNetstar App, you’ll unlock: 

    • Real-time driving feedback. 
    • Built-in safety tools. 
    • Rewards for safer driving. 

    The better you drive, the more you are rewarded! 

      

    Car Insurance Myths, Busted 

    “Third-party insurance is enough.”  

    This only covers damage you cause to someone else’s property, not your own car. 

    “I don’t need to update my details.”  

    Outdated info can delay claims or mean it won’t be paid at all. Keep it fresh via Ace or the Manage Portal. 

    “I can wait weeks before filing a claim.”  

    The sooner, the better. Filing your claim ASAP helps for smooth processing. 

     

    Getting the Most Out of Your Cover 

    See, car insurance doesn’t have to be complicated! And, with the right info, flexible cover like Name Your Price™, and tools like Manage Portal at your side, you can confidently navigate your policies. 

    If you have any other car insurance questions, please call us on 0861 368 7873 or send an email to [email protected]. We’d love to assist you, and we welcome any feedback from our family members! 

     

     

     

    Ts & Cs and possible exclusions may apply and can be obtained by emailing [email protected].  

    Dotsure Limited (Registration number 2006/000723/06) is a licensed non-life insurer and authorised financial services provider (FSP39925). 

  • CAR INSURANCE: MYTHS VS FACTS

    CAR INSURANCE: MYTHS VS FACTS

     

    Debunking Common Car Insurance Myths

    Car insurance is a must-have for every driver, but misconceptions lead to the majority being uninsured (or with the wrong amount of coverage). We’ll be setting the record straight, to help you make more informed decisions!

     

    Myth 1: You Only Need Minimum Coverage 

    One of the biggest misconceptions is that the minimum required car insurance coverage is enough to keep you fully protected. While opting for minimum coverage might save you some money upfront, it could leave you exposed in the event of a serious accident.

    Minimum coverage typically includes third-party liability insurance, which only covers damages to other people’s property or medical costs if you’re at fault in an accident. It doesn’t protect you from expenses related to your own vehicle’s repairs.

     

    Myth 2: Red Cars Are More Expensive to Insure 

    You’ve likely heard that red cars cost more to insure, but that’s simply not true. The colour of your car has no bearing on your insurance premium. Instead, insurers consider factors such as your driving record, the make and model of your car, your location, and the type of coverage you select.

     

    Myth 3: Your Credit Score Doesn’t Affect Your Premium 

    Many drivers believe that their credit score doesn’t influence their car insurance rates, but the truth is, it often does. Insurance companies frequently use credit-based insurance scores to help determine premiums. A higher credit score can be a sign of lower risk, leading to lower premiums, while a lower score might result in higher rates.

     

    Myth 4: Personal Car Insurance Covers Business Use 

    Using your personal car for business purposes? Don’t assume that your personal car insurance will cover you. Personal policies typically exclude coverage for commercial activities. If you’re in an accident while conducting business, you may not be covered unless you have the appropriate business or commercial car insurance.

     

    Myth 5: Your Insurance Covers Stolen or Vandalised Belongings 

    It’s a common misunderstanding that car insurance covers personal belongings stolen from your car. Unfortunately, car insurance generally doesn’t cover stolen or vandalised personal items left inside the vehicle. To protect your belongings, you can add vehicle contents cover to your policy.

     

    Myth 6: The Car Owner’s Insurance Covers All Drivers 

    If you borrow a friend’s car, you might think their insurance policy will cover you in case of an accident. However, insurance usually follows the car, not the driver. Depending on the policy, you may not be fully covered when driving someone else’s vehicle. Always check the policy details before borrowing a car.

     

    Myth 7: Your Premium Will Skyrocket After Any Accident 

    While it’s true that accidents can impact on your insurance premiums, not every accident will cause a massive rate hike. Insurers consider several factors, including the severity of the accident, who was at fault, and your overall driving record. A minor fender bender may not result in a significant premium increase, while a more serious collision could.

     

    Trust the Facts, Not the Myths 

    Don’t let car insurance myths guide your decisions. You can make smarter choices for better protection, without overpaying. That’s why we offer customisable cover to suit your needs and budget.

    Take control of your car insurance, with dotsure.co.za!