Empire Fleet Solutions

A lot of thought and planning usually goes into the process of selecting a vehicle insurance company.  Most people are under the impression that all vehicle insurance companies are equal.  Truth is they are not.  Important factors to keep in mind when having to select a vehicle insurance company is, among others, the types of vehicle insurance companies offer, the prices for each type of coverage, and how quickly these vehicle insurance companies reimburse claims. 

The price that you pay for vehicle insurance is of the utmost importance when selecting a vehicle insurance company.  Depending on the vehicle insurance company, the same type of vehicle insurance can vary with a few thousand rand.  Always ensure that you do your homework and figure out which vehicle insurance companies are competitive in their pricing structure. 

Another extremely important factor to be considered is the service aspect concerning vehicle insurance companies.  If you are in trouble and in need of immediate assistance, you should have the piece of mind that your vehicle insurance company will have resources on hand to help you on your way, either by assisting you with medical emergencies or by renting you a vehicle to get you home safely.  If you have any queries, reaching your vehicle insurance agent in a timely manner should also not be any hassle.

It is important to note that not all vehicle insurance companies operate in all areas.  Friends and family members may refer you to their vehicle insurance company which they are very happy about.  However, chances are that if you live in a different area or province than they do, policies and prices can change dramatically.  It is also worth knowing that vehicle insurance companies must be licensed to operate in a specific region; thus, some vehicle insurance companies might not even be available depending on where you live.

One should understand that crime is a reality in South Africa, as it is in the rest of the world.  When traveling to South Africa, safety precautions together with some common sense is necessary to fully enjoy your trip.

Whilst Driving

• Always plan your routes in advance;
• Never give strangers a lift;
• Park in well-lit areas during nighttime;
• Lock your doors at all times and keep the windows up;
• Enquire about the safety of the area you are visiting beforehand; and
• Lock valuable items in the trunk of the vehicle, rather than leaving it on the seat.

On the Street

• Do not walk around at night, especially in dark and deserted areas;
• Never carry large sums of money with you;
• Ask a traffic officer or policeman for directions if you get lost;
• At all times avoid obvious displays of valuables like cameras or expensive jewellery;
• Enquire your hotel manager for trusted cab/bus services; and
• It is a good idea to explore in groups and also stick to well-lit, busy streets.

At the Hotel

• Keep your hotel room locked at all times;
• Store your valuables in the hotel’s safe;
• If someone knocks at the door, always check who it is before opening;
• Do not leave luggage unattended; and
• When leaving the hotel, hand in room keys at reception.

Dangerous Animals

When paying a visit to the bush, remember that you are in the presence of wild and dangerous animals.  However, if you obey the general rules, take the correct precautions, and respect the wild, a wonderful time awaits you.  Incidents that do occur are only as a result of humans wanting to get too close to animals trying to feed them or taking photos.  Keep in mind that wild animals attack only if they feel in danger and threatened so respect these animals and their home and they will respect you as a result. 

Aquatic Safety   

South Africa is home to a long and beautiful coastline, with different surf conditions.  In many respects, safety depends on your swimming ability.  Enquire from local residents about where to swim and surf, and how far you can go into the ocean.  The most popular beaches have lifeguards and some beaches (especially those in KwaZulu-Natal) have shark nets.  You should be fine if you stick to these areas.

A basic vehicle insurance policy may include up to six different types of coverage.  Each section of a vehicle insurance policy is usually priced separately.  The various types of coverage include vehicle insurance liability, liability coverage, personal injury protection, property damage liability, collision insurance, and comprehensive insurance.

Different types of coverage included within a Vehicle Insurance Policy (H2)

• Vehicle Insurance Liability

Vehicle insurance liability covers you as the vehicle insurance policy holder or designated driver, for injuries caused by you to others whilst driving.  Other individuals such as family members or friends may also be listed on the vehicle insurance policy; this means they are also covered when driving your car. 

• Liability Coverage

Having enough liability insurance coverage is of the utmost importance, because you could be sued for a large amount of money if involved in an accident.  If liability insurance coverage is not included within your vehicle insurance policy but you do have a house or other savings, then these assets are at risk through a court case. 

• Personal Injury Protection

Personal injury protection (PIP), or commonly referred to as medical payments, also forms an important part of your vehicle insurance policy.  Personal injury protection refers to the amount of vehicle insurance coverage provided to cover all treatment of injuries to you as driver and policy holder, as well as to your passengers. 

• Property Damage Liability

Property damage liability is an important part of your vehicle insurance policy.  Property damage liability pays for damage that you or another person driving your car may cause to someone else’s property. 

• Collision Insurance

This type of vehicle insurance policy covers all costs associated with damage to your vehicle when in a collision with another vehicle.  It also covers damage caused by potholes.

• Comprehensive insurance

Comprehensive insurance is that type of the vehicle insurance policy that protects against damage or loss due to theft, or something else other than a vehicle.  This could include vandalism, a flood, an earthquake, or fire. 

Car breakdown cover is a concept which encompasses a number of detailed aspects.  Due to the fact that almost all breakdown cover providers differ in their car breakdown policies, it is worth the effort asking some relevant questions regarding car breakdown cover.  It is good to know a few things beforehand; that is, before you actually need to use your car breakdown cover.  Below are some common car breakdown cover frequently asked questions.

Q: Is it possible for me to pay an extra premium so that the breakdown cover policy will cover the cost associated with getting my car fixed in a garage after a breakdown?

A: No, you do not have the option to have the cost of repairs covered under your car breakdown policy.  However, some breakdown cover providers do offer this as an additional policy option, which would then be separate from your car breakdown cover policy.

Q: How long will it approximately take for a recovery vehicle to reach me if I have a breakdown?

A: Although the average response time of different breakdown cover providers vary, they all have an average time of approximately 30 to 40 minutes.

Q: I am a woman who regularly travels on my own.   If my car happens to breakdown, will I be given priority by the breakdown service or not?

A: Yes, it is a possibility.  Some breakdown cover providers state specifically that priority service will be given to those individuals in potentially vulnerable or dangerous situations.  These usually include lone females, elderly drivers, and drivers with babies or young children.

Q: If I borrow a friend’s car and it has a breakdown, will I be able to use my breakdown cover policy and call for assistance?

A: This will solely depend on the type of breakdown cover held.  For example, if you have “personal based” breakdown cover, it will cover you as a person irrespective of whom the car belongs to.  However, if your friend has car breakdown cover, you should also be covered by that policy as it will in all likelihood provide assistance for the vehicle no matter who is driving it.

Q: Will my caravan be covered if my car happens to break down?

A: Whether your caravan will be covered or not depends entirely on the type of breakdown cover you have.  Some breakdown cover providers will tow your caravan together with your broken down vehicle.  In the event of your caravan breaking down, you will have to pay extra if you want to cover it as well.

Simply hopping into your car rental straight away and heading out on the streets without working through a proper car rental checklist first is big no-no.  If you neglect to check the car with the help of a car rental checklist, the possibility exists that you could run into some serious consequences such as road accidents.  It is of the utmost importance to check the vehicle with the assistance of a car rental checklist first before driving it to avoid having problems when traveling.

Car Rental Checklist:

Before you rent a car

• Communicate with your car insurance agent to verify which coverage you have when renting a car; determine which coverage is most effective; and
• Communicate with your road service provider to find out whether they cover service calls on rental cars.

At the rental cars counter

• Enquire whether the vehicle you are renting has undergone its pre-rental maintenance check;
• Enquire what steps you should take if the vehicle breaks down or if you lose your car key, etc.; and
• Ask a variety of questions so that you will know how to react and what to do in situations you are likely to encounter while on the road.

In and around the car

• Walk around the vehicle, and while doing so inspect all four sides to ensure that there is no obvious damage.  As soon as you leave the car rental lot, you will be held responsible for any undocumented damage;
• Ensure that the license plates are valid;
• Look at the tires for inflation and tread wear;
• Check the trunk for a spare tire, jack, and wheel spanner;
• Open the hood and check fluids such as the oil and water;
• Get in and check the cleanliness of the car;
• Familiarize yourself with the cockpit and everything it contains;
• Check the lights, which include headlights, turn signals, and dashboard/interior lights;
• Check the odometer.  Be more thorough in your inspection if the vehicle has a lot of miles on the clock;
• Spray the windshield to ensure that the washer system works and the wipers are in good shape;
• Ensure that there is an Owners Manual in the glove box;
• Test drive the vehicle in the rental lot to get a feel for it, as well as to check whether any handling or braking problem or odd noise exits before taking the vehicle out on the open road; and
• Remember to take your own map, as a map is not always included in car rental.

Due to the many vehicles on our roads these days, you are bound to be involved in an accident at some time or another and thus be forced to make a vehicle insurance claim.  However, you do not have to worry too much as a vehicle insurance claim is a fairly simple process.  You make a vehicle insurance claim, the adjuster comes out to estimate the cost to repair the damage, the insurance company sends you a check for that amount and you use it to pay for the repairs.  Every vehicle insurance claim requires some kind of proof of damage before the insurance company will pay out the necessary amount.  There are usually five elements of proof that will come into play when making a vehicle insurance claim, which include what you tell the insurance company, what the other party tells them, a police report, witnesses, and physical damage at the accident scene.

Steps involved to make a Vehicle Insurance Claim

• Step 1

Summon the emergency services, as medical attention will in all likelihood be needed.  Be sure to phone the police as well, as the police report is crucial for the vehicle insurance claim.

• Step 2

Exchange contact information, insurance information, and license plate numbers with the other party involved.  All the above is necessary to make a vehicle insurance claim.

• Step 3

Be on the lookout for witnesses who are willing to share their account of events.  Also take their contact information, as they could play a crucial role in your vehicle insurance claim.

• Step 4

Contact your insurance company as soon as possible.  Most have 24-hour claim-filing service by phone.  The individual taking your claim will assist you with the process of vehicle insurance claim.

• Step 5

If the other party is at fault, you should inform the other party’s insurance company that you are pursuing a vehicle insurance claim through your own insurance company and will seek reimbursement for those costs your insurance company will not pay.

• Step 6

At some or other time you will receive a phone call from the other insurance company asking you to tell them your version of events which led to the accident.  Prepare for this beforehand.  This is done in order for the vehicle insurance claim to be processed successfully.

• Step 7

The adjuster will come out to take a look at the damage to your vehicle and subsequently estimates how much it will cost to restore or replace.  The insurance company will then hand you a check in the amount of the repair.  Your vehicle insurance claim is now close to being settled.

• Step 8

If a dispute arises because you think your insurance company’s damage settlement offer for your vehicle insurance claim is too low, you may demand a form of arbitration to resolve the dispute.  The same applies when a dispute over damage settlement arises with the other party’s insurance company.

Although it is not required by law like in some other countries, it is still a wise decision for all car owners to apply for motor vehicle insurance.  Some people do not understand why they should apply for something so costly.  However, they should understand that motor vehicle insurance will be of benefit to them in the long run.  Those individuals without motor vehicle insurance would suffer dearly if they encountered an accident.

If you are planning to apply for motor vehicle insurance, you might find the tips below useful when going through the process:

• Probably the most effective tip on getting motor vehicle insurance is that of always shopping around.  Acquiring and subsequently comparing different rates and offers will give you a good idea of what deal will fit your needs the best.

• Collect as many insurance quotes as you could possibly lay your hands on.  This will help you compare different types of rates and see whether any discounts concerning motor vehicle insurance are on offer.

• Hiring a broker may be a good or a bad idea, depending on the degree of your shopping and research skills regarding motor vehicle insurance.  Note that it will result in additional expenses if you do decide to hire one.

• You will get better motor vehicle insurance rates if your vehicle has security devices like a car immobilizer or theft alarm installed.  Having a GPS installed, as well as your own locked garage, can also lead to discounts.

• If you are a member of some or other motoring organization, there is the possibility of receiving a discount on your motor vehicle insurance.

• If you are a man and married, it is a good idea to rather obtain motor vehicle insurance on your wife’s name; this will save you a few bucks on the premiums.

• Limit the number of possible drivers of your vehicle.  The more authorized drivers the vehicle has, the higher your motor vehicle insurance will be.

• By applying for a fixed mileage policy, insurers will come to the conclusion that the vehicle is not used that much, resulting in lower motor vehicle insurance cost.

• You can even gain lower discounts or rates on your motor vehicle insurance if you take defensive driving lessons.  Insurance companies usually recognize this.

• At all times maintain a good driving habit.  If this is the case, insurance companies will fall over each other trying to offer you motor vehicle insurance.