Driving scenarios and road events are unpredictable, so vehicle loss or damage can be inevitable sometimes. However, finding ways to resolve your vehicle troubles while effectively managing the financial implications is still possible. The mechanical warranty in South Africa Covers third-party injuries and fatality and no loss or damage to your vehicle, which is why you must consider extending your vehicle’s cover.
Additional car warranty can help you deal with just that. And the level of benefits you can avail of during difficult road events (For example, car collisions, high impact events, vehicle damage due to harsh weather, etc.,) depends on the policy type. Comprehensive car insurance offers a vehicle broader coverage compared to other policies like third-party property damage and third-party fire and theft.
Car insurance is an essential product for car owners in South Africa. It provides financial protection in case of accidents, theft, or damage to your vehicle. However, when an accident or incident occurs, there are often many questions surrounding car insurance claims.
So, it is best to assess your vehicle needs, usage and value as well as your budget then compare the benefits of various policies before signing up. Also, while you consider purchasing the best fit policy, help yourself by reading answers to some of the common questions surrounding car insurance claims that we have mentioned below.
1. What should I do after an accident?
If you are involved in an accident, the first thing you should do is make sure that you and any other people involved are safe. Call the emergency services if necessary. Then, exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver(s) involved. Take photos of the damage to all vehicles and the accident scene if possible. Finally, report the accident to your insurer as soon as possible, even if you are not at fault.
2. What information do I need to provide to my insurer?
When you report an accident to your insurer, they will need to know the following information:
- Your policy number
- The date, time, and location of the accident
- Contact and insurance information for the other driver(s) involved
- A description of the damage to your vehicle
- Any injuries sustained by you or others
It is important to be as honest and accurate as possible when providing this information.
3. Will my insurance cover the cost of repairs?
If you have comprehensive car insurance, it will generally cover the cost of repairs to your vehicle, minus any excess that you may have to pay. If you only have third-party insurance, it will not cover repairs to your own vehicle, but it will cover damage to other people’s property or vehicles.
4. How long will it take for my claim to be processed?
The length of time it takes for a claim to be processed can vary depending on the complexity of the claim and the responsiveness of the parties involved. Your insurer will generally aim to process your claim as quickly as possible, but it may take several days or weeks to complete the process.
5. Will my insurance premium increase if I make a claim?
Making a claim may result in an increase in your insurance premium, particularly if you have made several claims in a short period of time. However, this is not always the case, and it will depend on the circumstances of the claim.
6. What is an excess?
An excess is the amount that you agree to pay towards any claim that you make. For example, if your excess is R5,000 and the cost of repairs is R10,000, you will need to pay R5,000 towards the repairs, and your insurer will cover the remaining R5,000.
7. What is a no-claims bonus?
A no-claims bonus is a discount that you can receive on your insurance premium if you have not made any claims during a certain period of time. The length of time required to earn a no-claims bonus can vary between insurers, but it is generally between one and five years.
8. What should I do if my car is stolen?
If your car is stolen, you should report the theft to the police and your insurer as soon as possible. You will need to provide the police with your vehicle registration number, make and model, and any other identifying features. Your insurer will then start the claims process, which may include a waiting period to see if the car is recovered.
9. What happens if my car is written off?
If your car is written off, your insurer will generally pay you the market value of the car at the time of the accident or incident, minus any excess that you may have to pay.
Seek help if you have concerns about your insurer’s decision at any point in time. Dial up the customer care number and speak to them over a quick call for resolution of any disputes. Also, you can send a mail to the specified customer service email id for clarifications regarding claim denial.
At the same time, you can read your mechanical warranty policy’s disclosure statements to know particular grounds when your car insurer can deny a claim. With most insurers’ online services, the turnaround time for dispute resolution is relatively quick. So, why wait to log in to your car warranty account and share your grievances with the support team?
