Category: Vehicles

What could go wrong you ask? Well, everything! Even if you’re the most careful driver on the road, other drivers aren’t always so careful and could crash into your car. Your car is always at risk of being stolen or hijacked. The wise thing to do is to cut back on unnecessary costs or chat to your service provider about what options are available to reduce your premium, rather than just cancelling your cover.

1. Murphy’s Law

Thanks to Murphy, you’ll always need to claim, almost immediately after you have cancelled your car insurance. And that’s only the top of the long list of things that could go wrong.

2. Times may be tough, but they’re also unpredictable

Accidents do happen. So, what happens if you collide with somebody else? How will you pay for third-party claims against you? Insurance – that’s how!

3. You could pay more on future premiums

Cancelling your current insurance policy could affect your premiums in the future. Your insurance history counts, and it can affect your future insurance quotes. Someone with a 6-year history qualifies for a more affordable rate than someone with a 1-year history. Continuous cover history matters too, meaning that you may go back to a 0 to 1-year history if you decide to cancel your insurance for a few months.

4. High-risk, low-reward

If you stay insured and keep your claims to a minimum, you can build a low insurance-risk profile. Insurers love low-risk clients and reward them with better premiums. On the other hand, you could become a high-risk client if you keep cancelling your car insurance. Which means, insurers could charge you higher premiums.

5. You could struggle to get cover again

The more you cancel your vehicle insurance, the more high-risk you become. Some insurers could go as far as to decline your application if they consider you to be too high-risk.

6. It could cost you more than you save

If you are involved in an accident, you might be liable to pay for all damages (to your car and the other person’s) out of your own pocket. Future insurance quotes could be higher than what you are currently paying as well.

7. You could be left paying for a car you don’t own

Theft, fire, and hijacking are three events that can happen to anyone at any time. They’re often just a case of bad luck. You could lose your car and still owe the bank if your car isn’t paid-up.

8. You could be found in breach of contract

If your vehicle is financed by a bank, you could be in breach of contract. Almost every car financing agreement requires the owner to have a comprehensive car insurance policy while the outstanding amount is being paid off. If you cancel your car insurance, you could be violating the terms of your financing agreement and your mechanical baby may be repossessed.

Owning a car isn’t cheap. From monthly payments to fuel expenses to ongoing maintenance, you can expect to spend quite a few rands to keep your baby in good condition.

However, some cars can be way more cost-effective than others – and we’re not just talking initial payment. When you factor in the costs of replacement parts, not all cars are created equally. Choosing a vehicle with more affordable parts can end up saving you big bucks, while some of them might end up costing more than you bargained for.

The 2020 AA-Kinsey Report, a survey which details costing for parts on various popular vehicles sold in South Africa across nine categories, has grouped car parts in three areas – service (spark plugs, oil filters, brake pads); repair parts (cam belt, shocks, clutch plate, fan belt) and crash parts (fenders, doors, bonnets, rims, light clusters). Here are some of the cars which according to the report have the best-priced parts:

City cars

If you’re regularly zipping through traffic in the big city in one of these, you can rest assured that you’re getting bang for your buck.

The Renault Kwid won this category with a total basket price of R62,990, followed by the Ford Figo at R63,866, and the Hyundai Atos coming in third at R66,189. The Ford Figo is particularly well-priced when it comes to repair parts, with this category costing R6,187.

Family cars

Bigger, more reliable… but less expensive!

The Toyota Quest is the family favourite this year, with a total parts basket cost of R85,031 – though it has risen in price since it won this category in 2019. Up next is the Nissan Almera (R86,488), while Toyota’s Corolla hatch is third with a total of R131,294.

Compact cars

These top-class compact cars are easy on the eye, and easy on the wallet.

The Mahindra KUV 100 is the winner at a price of R81,776. Second is the Haval H2 with its parts amounting to R93,860, while French favourite Citroen C3 Aircross comes third with a parts basket total of R102,249.

Double cab bakkies

You just can’t beat a bakkie. Especially not at these prices!

The Ford Ranger XLT takes top spot here with a basket price of R79,796, followed by the GWM Steed 6, at R86,105. Third place goes to the robust classic Toyota Hilux at R90,189.

Executive crossovers

Although pricey in general, car lovers will be pleased to know that these manufacturers offer good value in the long run.

The Volvo XC 60 takes the lead at an overall price of R242,070. In second is the Audi Q5 with an overall parts basket cost of R251,288, and third the Mercedes GLE at R328,211.

So, there you have it. In Kinsey’s own words: “Motoring has become more expensive, certainly from a parts perspective, and the results for 2020 show that. Although there may be similar alternative parts from non-franchise outlets – the durability of which cannot be vouched for – prices for original equipment are rising.”

Luckily, dotsure.co.za customers don’t need to stress too much about the cost of car part replacements. Our robust Silver, Gold and Platinum Motor Warranty plans cover mechanical repairs and replacements – without the hassle.* Get a free online quote in under 3 minutes today.

*T&Cs and certain exclusions may apply and can be obtained by emailing u2us@dotsure.co.za. Risk profile and policy dependent. Price and cover limits subject to change and dependent on plan selection. All Motor Warranty plans provide cover for the same components, up to different limits.

Many of us are old enough to remember the days of MTV’s Pimp My Ride, where West Coast Customs and Xzibit upgraded contestants’ cars with everything from chandeliers to chocolate fountains to popcorn machines (yes, really).

If you’re too young to have gotten a taste of this pop culture delicacy, don’t worry – Pimp My Ride culture still lives on through matte wraps, tinted windows, and spoilers of all sizes.

But, before you blow your December bonus on extras for your ride, did you know some car modifications aren’t just illegal in South Africa – they may also put your insurance at risk?

Read on to find out what the SA law (and dotsure.co.za Car Insurance) says about car modifications.

What counts as pimping your ride?

According to Arrive Alive, “It can be described as bringing about changes to the original vehicle parameter standards with a view, largely of enhancing a vehicle’s performance in fuel consumption, load capacity, cosmetic trim, or top speed runs”. Generally speaking, alterations wouldn’t necessarily affect the performance of the vehicle, whereas modifications would.

Make sure your ride is on the right side of the tracks.

“The National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996 isn’t very specific about which modifications are indeed illegal or not. But, before you take your car in for an extreme makeover, you have to ask yourself if it will still be roadworthy and if it might endanger other drivers”, says Advocate Jackie Nagtegaal, Managing Director at Law For All. If your car’s not roadworthy, you need to remove the fancy extras from your vehicle.

If you’re still confused, follow this list by Arrive Alive to drive you in the right direction.

The following modifications are illegal:

1. Speed enhancements like Nitrous Oxide Cylinders.
2. Dangerously lowering the car’s suspension, which increases the risk of spinning out of control.
3. Fitting larger wheels that might compromise control and handling.
4. Installing a bigger engine that may wear tyres. Bigger isn’t always better!
5. DIY suspension changes that compromise handling.
6. Custom number plates with vulgar language or that include symbols such as (%, &,@ or $).
7. Installing sound systems that may disrupt the peace.

Does your dotsure.co.za car policy cover modifications?

Yes, we do cover modifications if it’s specified and noted in your policy. The modifications include non-standard accessories like bigger rims, tyres, sound systems and tinted windows. You can select non-standard accessories and provide proof to receive cover for it. You will, however, be responsible for the excess stated in the schedule for every loss.

Did you know?

You can visit the 24/7 dotsure.co.za Manage Portal to add or remove non-standard accessories to your car insurance policy.

Have you ever used colours to describe feelings, like “green with envy” or “feeling blue”?

If you have, you’re probably aware that we emotionally identify with the hues and tones around us.

This includes the colour of your car, which ideally should be your favourite. Or the trendiest colour this season. Or a royal colour. Or whatever you want, really. And yet, you always want to put safety first – but can the colour of your car affect its safety?

It’s a pretty solid question, considering that colour is directly related to visibility, a key factor in road safety. For example:

• Road signs use colours that contrast strongly so that they are easy to see, even in rain or dark.
• Cyclists wear bright colours to make sure drivers see them on the road.
• Traffic lights indicate whether to stop, pause, or go.
• Different lines on the road show where you can overtake or pull over.

If visibility is the key factor in driving safety, does this mean dark coloured cars are more dangerous to drive? As it turns out, they are – but that’s not the only factor.

Citing a 2007 study published by Monash University Accident Research Centre, Autolist emphasises that “the relationship between vehicle colour and vehicle safety is complex and uncertain.”

The study revealed which colours are statistically the safest choice when it came to being visible and safe on the road, and which are the worst. Want to find out where your car ranks? Read on!

Safest shades