Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Car Inusrance

By Tom Martens

The South African car insurance market has some unique challenges. For the most part, South Africans have the choice of buying car insurance or not, so that translates into a majority of the countrys drivers operating uninsured vehicles. South Africa is also a very risky place to drive. It often leads the world in the number of traffic injuries and deaths each year.

Car insurance premiums seem to rise all the time and this is due to more dangerous roads and too many drivers without insurance.

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

For the moment this may not mean a lot to you. But when you understand that each time you drive without a proper insurance cover, you put at risk your car, yourself, cargo and other road users. Can you afford to replace or get your vehicle repaired without insurance? In case you are involved in a car crash and you are at fault, can you meet the expenses to repair or replace somebody elses car or property? What if your own motor vehicle gets stolen, hijacked or smashed up? If you cannot afford to meet these kinds of expenses from your own pocket, you definitely require insurance.

Now that you understand about the necessities of insurance, get details about the different options available, so you could lower your premiums.

One of the most influential factors is your driving record. If you have a spotty driving record, you will represent a greater risk to the insurance company, and your premiums will reflect that. Fortunately, if you keep and maintain a clean driving record, your premiums will start to go down. Drivers who already have a good driving record can receive discounts for each claim-free year.

The kind of car you drive also makes a difference. Expensive sports cars cost more to insure because accidents or thefts are more likely and repairs cost more.

Reduce your premiums by increasing your safety measures. Add gear locks or global tracking systems that exceed your policys minimum and ask for a discount.

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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