Comments on: Car Insurance Law

By: Karen Carstens

Karen Carstens — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:58:55 +0000

I have taken out car insurance 3 weeks ago, but decided to cancel it as I found a better deal somewhere else. The insurance company requires a 30-day notice period. Therefore I was advised that I will have to pay a pro-rata premium for cover until the notice period expired. Is the required 30-day notice of cancellation legal?

By: TM

TM — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:09:06 +0000

i was involed in an accident in February 2011. My car was written off and the insurance (FIRST FOR WOMAN) gave me a new vehicle. The problem is, the car i insured with the insurance company had (FACTORY FITTED CENTRAL LOCKING). The car they replaced it with has no factory fitted cetral locking. The alarm system they installed if faulty and the central locking they intalled in my car after i received it is faulty, only 3 door open when i press the remote and the central locking is not linked to the boot of my car which means i now have to open my boot manually and lock it mannually as the central locking they put in my car is not linked to my boot. they told me if i want to link my boot the the central locking that they had installed i must pay for it myself and if it gives me problems i must not complain to them i must complain to the guys they paid to install this fauly central locking. as it stands, when my alarm is activated, you can enter my car thouhg my boot and the alarm does not even go off. They refuse to give me a car with factory fitted central locking. They claim they never knew my car had central locking and that now that they have given me this car with many alarm problems , im stuck with it and i must fix those problems at my expense? the manager also told me that if i’m not happy with the downgrade of a car they gave me i must take it furter and contact my lawyers knowing very well that i do not make a lot of money and would never be able to afford a good lawyer. pls advice. i’m really frustrated.

By: Ryan Flockhart

Ryan Flockhart — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:03:24 +0000

I was involved in an accident on the 24/09/2011 there were five cars and a truck. The truck driver lossed control and my car was the thrid vehicle to be hit. I am a student and do not have insurance as it is out of my financial range. I have submited a third party claim aganist the Truck company insurance. i am now with out a vehicle. Is there any law as to how long it should take for the claim to be paid out.
I wanted to claim for the towing storage and hire vehicle but the insurance company is refusing to fit these bills. Can you tell me what I am entitled two and how long before this entitlement is allowed to take before payment is made?

By: Louise Harrison

Louise Harrison — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 16:01:08 +0000

After my daughter’s car was written off by a taxi, we were told by Miway, the insurer, that we would receive market value in compensation which infers the value of the car on the open market, which also infers that it would be replaced with like. We have discovered that market value is calculated according to a book which the insurance industry recognises but was not told to us at the time of taking out the insurance, which value no way near replaces the lost vehicle. Do we have to accept a value decided by the insurance company in whose interest it is to reimburse us as little as legally possible. Who in their right mind would insure a vehicle with a company, knowing that on total loss they would only be refunded sufficient for a deposit on a replacement?

By: Tebogo

Tebogo — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 14:13:52 +0000

Kindly seeking assistace, my son was looking at car, the sales man approached him with regards to purchasing a vehicle, by then he had a learner’s license only. The agents promised him that he would assist him in getting the car, of which he did. My son thought that he would get a license and would drive the car freely. The car was then finance through a major bank of South Africa and was insured by budget insurance. After a couple of weekis while learning to drive, he was involved in a horrific accident which left him traumatised even now. The car was on his name and same as the insurace. My question is ” Is it possible for the Bank/Insurance company finance or cover for a vehicle on a driver who does not have a valid SA License? ” Kindly assists as he cannot afford now to pay for the car, I would like to take the case further. Thanking you.

By: Brenda

Brenda — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:06:43 +0000

@Elia – If you have doubts, then it is most probably not a reputable company and I would not recommend that you even consider taking out insurance with them.
@Haley – I wish I was allowed to hazard a guess about which insurance company you’re referring to here, but I’m sure I’m probably right. A reputable company (who uses brokers) would not ask such silly questions. If you reported the loss to the SAPS and Tracking Company (if relevant), then finalisation of the investigation should be a relatively simple task. I suppose it’s understandable for them to ask how you got home after the loss of the vehicle, but asking for receipts to prove that you were on holiday is RIDICULOUS! Contact the Ombudsman if your claim is still outstanding! Good luck!

By: Haley

Haley — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 08:34:50 +0000

I was on holiday in September 2011 and my vehicle was stolen. The insurance company has checked out that all my security requirement as stipulated in my policy has been met, kniow they are questioning who when why and what on how I managed to get home. I am know being harrased and questioned for receipts and proof that I was actually there on holiday. Who can advise or help me on this as it has been a month now and I am at my wits end…..

By: Elia

Elia — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 11:49:18 +0000

Hi there. Who can i phone to see if a company is registed to provide insurance for cars?

By: Dishon

Dishon — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 12:11:49 +0000

I was involved in an accident a month ago. I drove into the back of a car in traffic. I am not insured but the other car was. The driver said that I would only be liable to pay the excess of his car (which was R4500) and that was our agreement. Then his insurance phoned me and said that I am liable for R11 450 for the entire claim. Is there anything I can do? What does the law say about this?

By: Pierre Britz

Pierre Britz — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 08:02:54 +0000

Good day,

I drove over a stone/brick in traffic yesterday (23-8-2011). I had to have the tyre replaced. I had it done at Tiger Wheel and Tyre. Very helpfull and friendly people. The person that helped me told me that I would have to replace the 4 remaining tyres on my car at the end of this yeas seeing that the tyres are 5 years old. According to him if I was involved in an accident that my insurance would pay if the tyres are more than 5 years old. There are still 5mm tread on the tyres left. Is this true about the age of the tyres.?The date on the tyres are 2006 and my car is a 2008 model.
Regards,
Pierre.