For many South Africans, insurance is a largely misunderstood concept, with the ins and outs of insurance cover typically overlooked by most policy holders. While many of us are aware of the importance of insurance, when it comes to filing a claim, many policyholders are left confused or disappointed, misunderstanding the terms of their agreement with the insurer, as well as their own level of liability.

The simple fact of the matter is that each insurance policy is different and understanding the terms is the most effective way to ensure that claims are honoured. An insurance policy is an agreement between two parties, both of whom are required to honour the terms thereof in order to ensure its validity.

If you are involved in an accident using a vehicle that you’ve financed via a bank or another type of financial service provider, there may be a gap between its insured value and the amount owing to the finance institution. This is known as a credit shortfall and can result in you owing money for a car you no longer have.

Given that insurance policies cover the market, retail or trade value of your vehicle, you’ll be covered based on the value of the vehicle at the time of the accident or theft. However, the amount owed to the bank remains unchanged. To avoid facing unexpected costs, investigate credit shortfall insurance – also known as gap or top-up insurance – which is specifically designed to cover this difference. 

If my car’s value declines, why am I still paying the same monthly premium?

While it might seem logical that the depreciating value of your vehicle would result in lower premiums over time, this is unfortunately not the case. Premiums typically increase year on year in line with inflation and the associated costs of repairs. The same goes for spare parts, which tend to increase in price irrespective of your vehicle’s value.

And while the threat of theft or even a total write-off is certainly possible, the risk of such an occurrence is realistically far lower than that of accidental damage, and as such, equates to a small percentage of the premium. Essentially, your policy is principally designed to cover repairs in the event of an accident, which, in most cases, has little to do with the precise age and value of the vehicle.

Why has my policy been voided?

While many insurance claims are honoured, those that are rejected are due to an excluded event or a breach of the policy conditions. It’s important to read your policy wording carefully to know what you are covered for – and what you are not covered for.

Full disclosure is key when entering into a policy agreement with your insurer and it’s vital that you are 100% honest regarding the value of the items you are insuring if you want to avoid any complications down the line. Rather than estimating the value of your valuables, opt for a more precise approach, creating a complete inventory to which you can refer back in the event of a claim. If you are unsure of the item’s value, some insurers also offer a handy online estimation service, which can aid you in your estimations.

It is equally important that you are upfront regarding any prior losses or claims, as these will have an impact on your risk profile which affects your premium. Should you answer inaccurately in an effort to reduce your monthly premiums, you could be penalised later. An insurance policy is a contract of utmost good faith. As such full disclosure is important when taking out a policy

Is my car only insured if I’m driving it?

The answer to this question is largely dependent on the nature of your policy. Typically, vehicles are only insured when the car’s ‘regular driver’ – essentially the person who drives it most often – is accurately listed. This can of course be tricky to define in families in which a car is shared between multiple parties. 

Due to the fact that one’s risk profile is calculated based partly on years spent behind the wheel, many policyholders tend to list themselves as the regular driver, rather than their university going children for example, who pose a higher risk, and as a result, are likelier to incur higher monthly premiums. 

However, should your car be involved in an accident whilst being driven by someone else, your vehicle should still be covered, provided that the correct regular driver is listed. This depends on the policy and could result in you having to pay some additional excess, but provided that you’ve supplied accurate information regarding the vehicle’s regular driver, you should still be insured. As such, it is vital that the information you supply to your insurer is 100% accurate. Should the car’s regular driver change at any point, it’s important to keep your insurer informed so as to prevent any complications down the line.

Why are my car parts being replaced with after-market versions?

The aim of any insurance policy is to re-establish equilibrium and place you in the same position you were in prior to the loss. As such, claims will be assessed based on the state of your car prior to the accident and replacements will be made accordingly to ensure that the vehicle is returned to its previous state. SABS approved after-market parts will only be used if your vehicle is out of warranty. It is an internationally recognised practice, approved by our judicial system and also enables insurers to keep insurance premiums affordable.

Remember that the key to any insurance policy is information. Not only is it important that you keep yourself informed regarding the nature of your cover, but it is also equally critical that you provide your insurer with all the information they require to avoid any potential future pitfalls.

Article credit: https://www.moneyweb.co.za/mymoney/moneyweb-personal-finance/the-hows-and-whys-of-car-insurance/