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:
- Fill in your details.
- Compare multiple cover options instantly
- Choose the plan that works best for you.
- Customise your cover with Name Your Price™
- 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).
