Inexpro
Short - Term
Insurance Brokerage
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Vehicle Insurance
- Comprehensive: You are covered for loss of or damage to the vehicle.
- Limited (fire and theft):You are covered for loss of or damage to the vehicle caused by fire, lightning, explosion, theft or attempted theft.
- Theft excluded: You are covered for loss of or damage to the vehicle excluding loss of or damage caused by theft or attempted theft.
The basic cover for vehicles includes: safeguarding; emergency repairs and delivery; tow-in cost and safeguarding after mechanical breakdown; medical expenses; trauma treatment; emergency accommodation; replacement of a new vehicle and emergency costs. Please refer to your policy wording for details.
There are also a couple of optional covers you can choose from. This includes: specified accessories (such as sound equipment and car phones); the difference between market value and hire purchase; contents of a caravan; tools, spare parts and travel accessories and car-hire.
More information on vehicle insurance:
- Get to terms with some terminology
- Why does the insurer not always pay claims on the sum insured shown on the schedule when your vehicle is stolen or uneconomical to repair?
- Rather safe than sorry
- Drive in, drive out
- Repair or replace?
- VESA and VSS
- Turf out tired tyres
Get to terms with some terminology
The risk address is the place where the vehicle is usually kept. This information is required when calculating the premium. Some areas have more incidents of vehicle theft than others do. The likelihood of vehicles being stolen in a particular area is reviewed annually and the premiums adjusted accordingly based on statistics.
The insurer needs to know who normally drives the vehicle. This information, which includes the age, sex and claims history of the particular driver, helps the insurer determine the premium, any excesses applicable and whether or not they want to accept you as a client.
A vehicle that is used for business purposes is likely to spend more time on the road than one used for private use. The insurer considers this factor when calculating the premium and accepting the risk.
South African law requires that motor vehicles are roadworthy at all times.Driving an unroadworthy vehicle increases the risk of accidents. If a vehicle is proved to be unroadworthy at the time of an accident, a claim may be rejected.
Santam pays claims according to the market value of your vehicle, which is determined by contacting typical car dealers and asking them what the price for a vehicle similar to yours would be.Santam bases the original insured value on the purchase price and calculate the premium accordingly.
The most your insurer will pay out is the value of your vehicle as stated on your schedule, or the reasonable market value of your vehicle, whichever is less.
Make sure that you know the value of your vehicle. You are advised to check this value at least once a year with your insurer or broker to avoid paying a premium that is greater than required.
The Autodealers' Guide is a handy aid for determining market value, but the following factors must also be taken into account when estimating market value:
- The popularity of and demand for certain makes in certain areas;
- The condition of the vehicle; and
- The odometer reading.
Use our handy checklist when you buy a motor vehicle, especially if it has had one or more owners, or if you want to insure your vehicle with Santam:
- Write down the registration, chassis and engine numbers before you contact your broker or Santam.
- Compare the vehicle identification number (VIN) on the license disc with the number on the window or engine. The VIN is the car's identity number. In 80 percent of instances the manufacturer applies this number himself and sometimes external parties do it. If the car does not have such numbers, it could have been removed or the windows might have been replaced.
- Only buy a second-hand vehicle from a trusted dealer and check all three numbers yourself. Do the same when you buy the motor vehicle in a private transaction - an honest seller won't mind.
- If the numbers are unclear or don't match, ask the nearest SAPS clearance department for a clearance certificate. The service is free.
- Let the SAPS and Santam know if you suspect any irregularities.
You can take your damaged vehicle to one of Santam's centrally situated drive-in centres for one-stop service.
Experienced personnel will register your claim, assess the damage, and refer you to a recommended panelbeater. There are centres in Stikland, Bellville; Claremont, Cape Town; Goodwood, Cape Town; Johannesburg, the West Rand; Johannesburg, the East Rand; Pretoria West; Pretoria East; and Durban.
A windscreen claim does not affect your no-claim bonus. However, did you know that if you have it repaired rather than replaced, there is also no excess for you to pay?Simply call one of Santam's approved glass partners, provide your policy number, registration number and date of the damage, and they will make an appointment to have it repaired.
Only vehicle security systems that are approved by die Vehicle Association of South Africa (VESA) meet Santam's security specifications. We will not cover any damage caused during the installation of gear-lever locks or security systems if the dealer is not registered with VESA. In addition, the system will not be accepted as complying with our security standards. Contact your nearest Santam office for information about VESA approved dealers in your area.
The security system of every new vehicle that is manufactured is tested thoroughly. The results are published quarterly in a 'Vehicle Security Systems' list, known as the VSS list. These vehicles automatically comply with the security specifications set by insurers.
What is the difference between VESA and VSS? VESA products are installed in vehicles:
- That have no protection, mainly older models;
- That are not on the VSS list; or
- With outdated VESA and factory-fitted systems that are no longer good enough to withstand thieves' efforts.
If it can be proved that a motor accident occurred because of ill-maintained tyres, a short-term insurer can refuse to settle a claim for the replacement or repair of such a vehicle.
At most, the tyre surface area in contact with the road at any time is equal to four outstretched hands. Have the tyre pressure and tyre tread checked regularly, and ensure that the tyres comply with the legal minimum tread depth of 1mm right around.
