The simple fact that fully comprehensive car insurance covers far more than the mere third party expenses offered by other types of insurance cover, it is naturally more expensive. While third party cover takes care of the damage done to the other vehicle involved in the accident but not your own, comprehensive insurance covers both parties and also features a range of added benefits.

Fully Covered

Comprehensive car insurance provides cover for practically all the identified risks that you could possibly come into contact with – making it an all-inclusive and versatile option. Amongst other things your vehicle will be protected against loss due to theft, damage caused by a car accident, falling objects – from a truck travelling in front of you for example – explosions, and even natural disasters, where severe weather leaves your car wrecked.

Over and above these more exclusive areas, comprehensive insurance covers the usual risks such as theft and hijacking, third party claims to damaged property, injuries, or accidental death, and any medical costs that might be incurred as a result of an accident.

When is it Necessary?

If you have bought your car through a bank or other car financing institution, comprehensive cover is mandatory, and you will be required to provide proof of the policy. Other instances where this cover is needed is if you drive an expensive car and the repair costs are particularly high, or if you use your vehicle for business purposes.

Be aware that this insurance option is pricey and that it should only be considered in crucial cases. If you can’t afford a comprehensive policy, you can always go the route of increasing your cover on a personal policy, or obtaining business insurance cover for work purposes.

This category of insurance won’t be necessary if you drive a very old car or a vehicle that is paid off: a basic third party option would be sufficient in either of these cases. It is vital that every driver be armed with third party cover at the very least, given the perilous driving environment that South Africans are faced with daily.

Handy Extras

Fully comprehensive cover entails a variety of optional extras that are incorporated into the cost of the policy:

• Legal Fees

If one of the parties involved in a collision wishes to take the matter to court due to a dispute, the respective insurance company will cover the necessary legal fees.

• Breakdown Cover

If your vehicle has broken down it will be towed to the nearest garage, and will also be returned to you once the repairs have been completed. It is now practically an industry standard for fully comprehensive policies to include free breakdown cover.

• Rental of a Courtesy Car

Most comprehensive deals give you the option of using a courtesy car should your own vehicle be written off in an accident. The rental will then be returned when you car is back in working order.

• Road Rage Cover

This extra cover is specially designed to meet the cost of any personal injuries that may result after an attack related to road rage. Again, this isn’t a particularly crucial type of cover, but could definitely be helpful on South African roads where stress often peaks to dangerous levels.

• Windscreen Cover

Also quickly becoming an industry standard, windscreen cover attends to the cost of replacing a cracked or badly damaged windscreen.

• No Claims Bonus

After a designated period of time has passed without you having made an insurance claim, you will be awarded a no claims bonus. With time, this can result in a substantial reduction in your insurance premiums.