The must-knows about cheap car insurance in South Africa

Cheaper doesn’t always mean better, especially when it comes to cheap car insurance. There are a number of things to consider when taking out cover for your vehicle. If you’re looking for cheap car insurance, it could cost you more than you think.

Before you decide, ask yourself

1. How affordable is my insurance at the moment?
2. What is the likelihood of my insurer paying out my claim?
3. Which other benefits does my insurer offer me?

Insurance affordability: evaluating car quotes and cheap car insurance options

Vehicle insurance options range from comprehensive vehicle insurance to limited and third-party cover, but you are not stuck with the option you choose. As a policyholder, you don’t usually benefit from cheap car insurance when you need it. You should be able to actively manage your cover and change it according to your needs.

For example, if you want to adjust your excess to lower your monthly premium or want to remove additional cover from your policy to better suit your circumstances, you should be able to do so. 

Cheap car insurance: higher excess = lower monthly premium

If you are offered a particularly low premium, find out how much the excess is. Paying a higher excess can lower your monthly premiums considerably – just make sure that you can afford to pay the excess when you claim. 

It’s best to find a balance between a reasonable premium and an affordable excess. You can also ask if your insurer has an excess waiver or zero excess option.

Minor to major problems – Santam is with you all the way

Santam has 24/7 Emergency services specifically for vehicle owners. If you’re stuck with a flat tyre, flat battery or any other emergency at the side of the road, you can call our Emergency and Claims line on 0860 505 911 at any time, night or day to arrange for help. 

These benefits are free to our personal insurance clients:

• Road assistance is a 24-hour contact for roadside emergency services;
• Home-drive assistance will take you home in your own or their vehicle if you had more to drink than the legal limit; and
• Route assistance is a 24-hour directions helpline.

These services include jump-starts, tow-away services and locksmiths. If you run out of fuel, we’ll provide 10 litres to get you on the road again.

Keeping you safe

The Santam app has an Accident and Incident Reporter to guide you through a step-by-step process to report, document and submit an accident or incident directly to your insurer, all within a few minutes.

The Santam App is easy to use and free to download on Android and iPhone devices. 

For a car insurance quote speak to your intermediary or contact us on 0860 444 444.