If you are researching short-term car insurance, you'll be sure to find out that prices are high, and could continue to rise. South Africa is a high risk environment for insurers. Knowing why and what you can do lower these costs for your situation is important in helping you make the right decisions.
First, why are the costs so high? Higher short-term insurance premiums are caused by the risks associated with car insurance, and South African roads have become considerably more treacherous lately. South Africa has one of the world's highest rates of traffic accidents and fatalities. Driving privileges have been extended to many people who don't know how to drive properly.
Younger drivers have always been viewed as a higher risk. Drivers aged 18-30 historically pay the highest rates.As carmakers continue to upgrade their offerings, prices reflect those gadgets, leather seats, on-board computers and more. As car prices go up, so must the cost to insure them.
Insurers must also consider car theft and hijackings as they calculate their premiums. The latest statistics show a decline in thefts, but the rate of hijackings continues to rise. In the homeowners and household insurance market, the main influencing factor is fraud. Some estimate are that six to 10 percent of short term insurance claims are fraudulent. That amounts to more than R2 billion each year.
It is possible to ensure that these issues do not impact your insurance situation. You may not have any control over other people making fraudulent claims, but there are steps you can take to ensure that they do not affect your insurance premiums. For example, you can offer to take a polygraph test whenever you submit a claim. As a reward for honesty, some insurers will give you significant savings on your premium.
You can decrease your auto insurance premium by increasing your deductible. Keep this in mind while you are comparing quotes. Just make sure that you can afford the higher deductible in case you have a claim.
Maintaining a clean driving record not only keeps you safe, but can also save you money. If your driving record isn't as clear as it could be, you can attend a driving course offered by car manufacturers or the Automobile Association. This can help clear negative history. Driving courses aren't just for bad drivers, however. A driver with a clean record can attend to possibly lower their insurance premiums.
And, if you live in a high-crime area, consider moving. This can reduce both your car and homeowners insurance rates. Adding security devices can help as well. Anti-hijack devices and global tracking systems are good investments for this purpose.
The cheapest insurance is not always the best. Be sure the policy you choose provides adequate cover for your needs at a price you can afford.Finally, shop around for the best insurance rates. But be smart. - 16492
First, why are the costs so high? Higher short-term insurance premiums are caused by the risks associated with car insurance, and South African roads have become considerably more treacherous lately. South Africa has one of the world's highest rates of traffic accidents and fatalities. Driving privileges have been extended to many people who don't know how to drive properly.
Younger drivers have always been viewed as a higher risk. Drivers aged 18-30 historically pay the highest rates.As carmakers continue to upgrade their offerings, prices reflect those gadgets, leather seats, on-board computers and more. As car prices go up, so must the cost to insure them.
Insurers must also consider car theft and hijackings as they calculate their premiums. The latest statistics show a decline in thefts, but the rate of hijackings continues to rise. In the homeowners and household insurance market, the main influencing factor is fraud. Some estimate are that six to 10 percent of short term insurance claims are fraudulent. That amounts to more than R2 billion each year.
It is possible to ensure that these issues do not impact your insurance situation. You may not have any control over other people making fraudulent claims, but there are steps you can take to ensure that they do not affect your insurance premiums. For example, you can offer to take a polygraph test whenever you submit a claim. As a reward for honesty, some insurers will give you significant savings on your premium.
You can decrease your auto insurance premium by increasing your deductible. Keep this in mind while you are comparing quotes. Just make sure that you can afford the higher deductible in case you have a claim.
Maintaining a clean driving record not only keeps you safe, but can also save you money. If your driving record isn't as clear as it could be, you can attend a driving course offered by car manufacturers or the Automobile Association. This can help clear negative history. Driving courses aren't just for bad drivers, however. A driver with a clean record can attend to possibly lower their insurance premiums.
And, if you live in a high-crime area, consider moving. This can reduce both your car and homeowners insurance rates. Adding security devices can help as well. Anti-hijack devices and global tracking systems are good investments for this purpose.
The cheapest insurance is not always the best. Be sure the policy you choose provides adequate cover for your needs at a price you can afford.Finally, shop around for the best insurance rates. But be smart. - 16492
About the Author:
Tom Martens is the syndication coordinator for Carinsurancesa.co.za. South Arica's leading car insurance portal.
