Imagine you’re stranded due to car trouble. You’re on the side
of the road, and frantically explaining to your client that you won’t manage to
meet their looming deadline. This means you won’t get paid for your current
project, and you may even lose them as a client.
Under these – or similar – circumstances, what kind of role will
your car insurance play? We answer this question, and consider other ways your
insurer will support you during times like these.
Will your car insurance kick in?
Glenn Anderson, general manager of Dotsure, says that personal
lines insurance, which typically covers individuals against loss, differs
vastly.
“If your policy specifically stipulates that you’re covered for
loss of income, then it will be covered, provided that the claim meets the
relevant criteria,” says Anderson.
However, he explains that this is not something you can expect
to find as a standard benefit on an ordinary car insurance policy.
Caron Whitfield, head of distribution and marketing at the Apio
Group, says car insurance is usually only applicable to sudden and unforeseen
accidental damage to a car, such as an accident or theft.
How will your car insurance assist you?
Unless you have a high tier insurance policy, loss of income
cannot form part of your claim. Either way, it’s important to know what else
your insurer might cover, and how it could help you in this situation.
“Keeping their vehicle in good working order is the
responsibility of every motorist, but we understand that breakdowns do happen,”
says Whitfield.
“Emergency roadside assistance is normally attached to
comprehensive motor policies. A toll-free number can usually be contacted at
any hour, and the team will assist with towing, flat batteries or tyres, and
other minor roadside incidents,” she explains.
On top of this, many insurers will supply a temporary car to
assist you with your day-to-day travel needs until your car has been fixed.
Contact your insurer directly to find out whether this is part of your policy.
According to Christiaan Steyn, head of MiWay Blink, this is
called “car hire” on most insurance policies, and it’s usually an optional item
at an additional premium.
“The reason for this is that there are multiple options to suit
the needs of different people and each comes at a different cost,” says Steyn.
He explains that the first decision you need to make is what type
of rental vehicle you would need. This ranges from an entry-level manual
hatchback to an SUV or bakkie – it all depends on the number of people you tend
to transport and the job that you do.
“The second decision you need to make regards how long you may
need a rental vehicle in the event that your vehicle is damaged, written-off,
or stolen,” says Steyn.
“You could choose the shortest period – let’s say 10 days –
which at least sorts you out for the initial period while your car is in for
repairs. This will give you time to make alternative transport arrangements
should your vehicle not be repaired by day 10,” he explains.
Steyn adds that the premium you pay for car hire depends on the
combination of these two choices. Obviously, the more expensive the rental car
option you choose and the longer the period of car hire cover sought, the
higher the premium is going to be.
Photo’s by Pexels
Article by Harper Banks
Featured in justmoney.co.za