Best Car Insurance Companies in South Africa: Exclusive Research
When it comes to owning a vehicle, finding an insurance policy that suits your lifestyle and budget is extremely important. With the rising cost of living, we’re all feeling the pinch and there’s no need to pay any more for insurance than you need. Coupled with the fact that many insurers offer lucrative cash-back incentives and assistance programmes, doing your homework really pays off in the long run!
Too busy to call around for a quote? We’ve done the dirty work for you by researching and ranking South Africa’s top car insurers, so you can make an informed choice. Our research is fairly exhaustive, taking into premium quotes, coverage options, claims processes, added incentives, and the customer service experience. We’ve made use of impartial online complaints boards, Ombudsman reports, and information taken directly from insurers.
Specifications of Customer and Car
The premium for car insurance is based on the specifications of the person applying for the insurance and the car in question.
For the research, we used the same customer avatar across all car insurers to compare the information.
Here are the details of the customer avatar:
- Age: 35 years old
- Gender: Male
- Drivers License: B-license
- License acquired: January 1, 2015
- Car: 2018 Toyota Hilux 2.0 VVTi P/U S/C (Second-hand)
- Purchase method: Cash payment (not financed)
- Car mileage: 50,000km
- Previous accidents: No
Results
Best overall car insurer: MiWay.
Based on premiums, coverage and customer reviews.
Runner-up for best overall insurer: 1st for Women.
Comprehensive coverage, great assistance programme, competitive premiums.
Cheapest car insurer: MiWay.
The monthly premium for standard car insurance is R857.27.
Most expensive car insurer: OUTsurance.
The monthly premium for standard car insurance is R2113.99.
Car insurer that needs to improve the most: Old Mutual.
Over 500 complaints to Ombudsman.
Other Car Insurer with room to improve: Nedbank.
23,87% of complaints are ruled in favour of the consumer.
Top 15 Car Insurers in South Africa
Miway Car Insurance
- Affordable, comprehensive coverage
- Towing and storage costs are covered
- Roadside Assistance
- Telephonic medical advice
1st for Women Car Insurance
- Telephonic trip monitoring
- Panic Button Included
- Guardian Angel Lifestyle Assistance
OUTsurance Car Insurance
- 10% of premiums back in cash after just one year
- ‘SmartDrive’ programme
- Cover for 4x4 vehicles in Southern Africa
Dotsure Car Insurance
- Damages caused by potholes covered
- License and Fine Protect
- Emergency roadside assistance and transportation
Pineapple Car Insurance
- Automatic access to emergency assistance services
- Drive Less, Get Blessed’ programme
- Pineapple Rewards
PMD Car Insurance
- Accidental death cover automatically included
- Roadside and towing assistance
- Vehicles covered at full market value
King Price Car Insurance
- Decreasing premiums based on the actual value of vehicle
- Unique coverage options
- Earn a 20% discount by insuring 2+ cars
Iwyze Car Insurance
- Flexible premiums
- Pause premiums and cover
- Optional Cash Back Bonus
Auto & General Car Insurance
- Dedicated, experienced claims consultants
- Class-leading app with autoSOS emergency assistance
Dial Direct Car Insurance
- 24/7/365 free emergency and break-down assistance
- Pothole Cover that doesn’t impact your claims record
Budget Insurance Car Insurance
- Lifetime Guarantee on repairs
- 1 month payment Holiday
- Cash Back rewards calculated uniquely
Virseker Car Insurance
- Promotes the Afrikaans language
- Bag Bonus
- All communication is in Afrikaans
Nedbank Car Insurance
- Optional Excess Waiver
- Roadside Assistance includes breakdown and accident services
- ‘Drive-me-home’ and ‘Pick-me-up’ services
Old Mutual Car Insurance
- Rich heritage as a financial services provider
- Comprehensive cover
- 10% of premiums back in cash after 3 years
Nedbank Car Insurance
Cost of Car Insurance
Nedbank offers one of the lowest comprehensive car insurance premiums in South Africa at R969.89 per month. Similarly, their ‘Third-party Only’ and ‘Third-party, Fire and Theft’ cover options are available at R969.89 per month each. The cost of optional ‘Fire and Theft’ cover does not change when added to your existing comprehensive car insurance policy. While there is an option to waive the excess, the minimum excess payment is R5,000 or 5% of your claim amount.
Car Insurance Coverage Options
There are three main vehicle coverage options at Nedbank namely ‘Comprehensive’, ‘Third-party, Fire and Theft’ and ‘Third-party Only’. Comprehensive vehicle insurance covers accidental damage, third-party costs and theft up to the amount specified on your policy. The ‘Third-party, Fire and Theft’ policy only covers specified damage, third-party costs and theft. It does not cover accidental damage.
Lastly, the ‘Third-party Only’ policy covers you specifically for the damages caused by your vehicle to other people’s property. These policies include the cost of towing, storage, repatriation, and lost keys. On top of this, there is extra cover available for sound systems, windscreens, canopies, vehicle hire, and hail damage.
Discounts and Loyalty Programs
Nedbank’s cash-back programme offers 10% of your premiums in cash back if you’re claim free for three years. If you are an existing Nedbank customer or you purchase additional policies, Nedbank offers a premium discount of up to 10%. Nedbank offers a Roadside Assist service which lends a helping hand in the event of a breakdown or accident. Their assistance service is available 24/7, all year round. Additionally, there are ‘Drive me home’ and ‘Pick me up’ services to get you home safely following an accident or breakdown.
Claims Process
Hollard Life Insurance is designed to ensure that policyholders’ loved one
Start the claims process by submitting a claim on the Money app or by phoning the helpline on 0861 262 636. Nedbank will email the relevant claims form to you; the completed claims form and supporting documents need to be emailed to [email protected]. From here, your claim will be evaluated and you will be contacted regarding the next steps.
s may continue to live comfortably even if the policyholder dies unexpectedly. Hollard Life Insurance provides four categories of coverage: Life Select, Life Cover, Specialist Life and My Life & More.
Quality of Service
While Nedbank is known as a reputable financial institution, there are several issues when it comes to its customer service and online image. We noted that complaintsboard.com received over 200 complaints from consumers that were unsatisfied with Nedbank’s quality of service. A whopping majority of the complaints are unresolved, with only 22 being addressed by the company. A recurring theme among complaints was a lack of transparency and poor communication on the part of the company.
Customer Satisfaction
Unfortunately, there is significant negative feedback from existing customers regarding Nedbank’s vehicle insurance policies. The consensus from Hello Peter reviews is that consumers found processing claims to be difficult and time-consuming. Common problems found were related to the lack of communication regarding updates on submitted claims, assessment reports, and generally being able to get in contact with consultants.
Complaints
Overall, the Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance (OSTI) noted 285 complaints against Nedgroup Insurance Company Limited in their 2021 report. While these complaints are not exclusively related to vehicle insurance, it should be noted that the majority of complaints received by the OSTI are motor vehicle insurance-related. This made up 3.40% of all complaints received by OSTI in that year.
Reputation
While there are numerous customer service-related complaints Nedbank remains a trusted financial institution in South Africa. The Nedbank group offers a wide range of financial services and has secure online platforms, as well as multiple avenues of communication. Relative to other major insurers, such as OUTsurance and Auto & General, the OSTI received fewer complaints regarding Nedbank.
Nedbank’s Strengths and Weaknesses
Nedbank certainly offers consumers more bang for their buck with one of the lowest insurance premiums, comprehensive cover options, and their assistance services. On top of this, Nedbank rewards loyal customers with discounts and cash back! However, many existing Nedbank customers complain of poor communication and unsatisfactory customer service.
Budget Car Insurance
Cost of Insurance
Known for their car insurance policies, Budget Insurance monthly premiums start at R1329,45 for their comprehensive policies. The excess amount on the comprehensive policy is hefty at R7250 per claim, but Budget Insurance does offer a lifetime guarantee on repairs. Budget’s ‘Third-party, Fire & Theft’ policies start at R777,63 per month and do not require any excess payments.
Car Insurance Coverage Options
Budget Insurance has a wide range of options when it comes to car insurance policies. This includes:
- Comprehensive Car
- BetterCar Value
- Third-Party Fire & Theft
- Third-Party Only
- Budget Lite 1
- Budget Lite 2
- Budget Lite 3
The ‘Comprehensive Car’ policy includes accidental and third-party damages, as well as glass, hail, flood, and fire damage. You are also covered for theft and hijacking. The ‘BetterCar Value’ policy offers the same perks as the ‘Comprehensive Car’ policy, with the added benefit of being able to increase the value of your car on your insurance policy. This means that you can insure your vehicle for more than the market value. Their Budget Lite policies are designed for cars that have a market value of less than R250,000. These policies are great if you own an older car or you’re looking for minimal coverage.
Discounts and Loyalty Programs
Purchasing your car insurance via their website saves you 20% on your premium. Additionally, Budget Insurance has an optional ‘Cash Back Bonus’ programme that can be added to your policy. This programme allows you to claim 15% of your premiums after the first two claim-free years. Following that, it drops to 10% in premiums cash back for every two claim-free years.
Certain Budget Insurance car insurance policies come with access to their ‘Assist Benefits’. This is an all-inclusive assistance programme that ranges from ‘Accident and Breakdown Assist’ to ‘Home and Medial Assist’. While the assistance programme does a great job of making consumers’ lives easier, it does come at an additional fee every month.
Claims Process
Claims can be submitted online via the Budget Insurance online policy management system. Simply register or log in, and go to the ‘submit a claim’ tab to begin the process. Alternatively, a claims consultant can be requested by calling the customer services number on 0861 60 01 20.
Quality of Service
Budget Insurance has received a few negative comments on complaintsboard.com. In general, commenters lament the arduous claims process, and unwillingness to pay out/lack of transparency.
Customer Satisfaction
Budget Insurance has a stellar rating of 4 out of 5 stars on hellopeter.com, with most consumers complimenting the insurer on the excellent customer service experience. Again, there are a few negative reviews from consumers who feel Budget Insurance lacks transparency regarding their terms and conditions.
Complaints
The Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance(OSTI) report for 2021 shows 225 complaints raised against Budget Insurance. This made up 2,68% of all complaints made to the OSTI. For this period, a significant 65,853 claims were received by Budget Insurance.
Reputation
On the South African insurance market for 25 years, Budget Insurance has created a name for itself as a reliable insurer. Overall, the good reviews far outnumber the bad reviews for Budget Insurance. Additionally, the number of complaints raised is minor compared to the number of claims received by the insurer.
Budget Insurance’s Strengths and Weaknesses
While Budget Insurance markets itself as an affordable insurer, its excess payment of R7250 is one of the highest on this list. Adding to this, their monthly premiums are not the lowest compared to the other insurers we’ve researched. However, Budget Insurance does offer a wider range of insurance policies with many additional cover options. The ‘Assist Benefits’ may come at an additional fee, but there are a greater number of services offered. Lastly, Budget Insurance has received generally good reviews from current customers.
Auto & General Car Insurance
Cost of Insurance
A comprehensive car insurance policy will cost you R1337,36 per month at Auto & General. The premiums for their ‘Third-party, Fire & Theft’ policies are R781,38. Excess payments are relatively high at R6950 per claim, with no excess payment required for the ‘Third-party, Fire & Theft’ policies.
Car Insurance Coverage Options
There are four main coverage options available at Auto & General:
- Comprehensive Car Insurance
- Third Party, Fire and Theft
- Third-Party Only
- BetterCar
The ‘Comprehensive Car’ option covers you for accidental and third-party damages, theft and hijacking, and the costs of towing and storage. Unlike other policies, Auto & General automatically includes standard accessories up to the amount specified in your policy. Optional cover includes hail damage and increased third-party cover.
Similar to Budget Insurance, Auto & General’s ‘BetterCar’ insurance policy allows you to increase the value for which your vehicle is insured beyond the current market value.
Discounts and Loyalty programs
Auto & General’s app does so much more than offer a channel of communication for its customers. The app also has a built-in impact detector which senses major car accidents and requests emergency help on your behalf. You can also request and track ‘Assist Benefits’ to your location via the app. The ‘Assist Benefits’ are made up of ‘Road Assist’, ‘Trauma Assist’, ‘Home Assist’, ‘Medical Assist’, ‘Legal Assist’ and ‘Entertainment Assist’.
Consumers aged 50 and older stand to benefit from Auto & General’s ‘Young@Heart’ benefit which allows them to remove their basic excess amount from their policy. Lastly, customers who remain claim-free for four consecutive years qualify for a cash-back payout of either their entire first year’s premiums or up to 25% of all their premiums paid.
Claims process
Auto & General recommends submitting claims via their app, which can be downloaded on most smartphones. The app allows consumers to upload photos and documents relating to their claim, and receive updates.
Quality of Service
Auto & General currently has 40 complaints on complaintsboard.com, of which 5 have been resolved. Most consumers were dismayed at the lack of proper communication they received when trying to lay a claim or get assistance. Other consumers were concerned with the rising premiums, excess fees, and lengthy claims process.
Customer Satisfaction
Auto & General has mainly satisfied customers, with a four-star rating on hellopeter.com. Consumers raved about the helpful consultants. The few unhappy customers spoke of unsuccessful claims and premiums increases.
Complaints
The Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance (OSTI) reported that Auto & General received 235 131 claims in their 2021 report. During this time, the OSTI received 302 complaints against the company. The percentage of complaints that were resolved by the OSTI having to enforce a resolution was extremely low at 0,35%.
Reputation
While there are a few negative reviews that stand out, Auto & General has cultivated a good reputation for itself as a vehicle insurer in South Africa. Alongside the good online reviews and statistics from the OSTI, Auto & General was the recipient of several awards from the Orange Index and PwC. Auto & General won the short-term insurance category for 2022/2023 from Ask Afrika Orange Index. And from PwC, the company was voted ‘Insurer with the quickest response time’, ‘Best short-term insurance and best car insurance’, and ‘Proudly one of the top STI service providers in South Africa’.
Auto & General’s Strengths and Weaknesses
Auto & General’s premiums are reasonable for their comparable coverage options. With industry awards and largely positive online reviews from existing customers, Auto & General is a reputable insurer. The only areas for concern are their claims process and transparency regarding premium increases.
Dial Direct Car Insurance
Cost of Insurance
Dial Direct’s comprehensive car insurance policy costs R1349,06 per month, with an excess fee of R6950 per claim. The company’s ‘Third-party, Fire and Theft’ policy will set you back R796,18 per month with no excess fees.
Car Insurance Coverage Options
Dial Direct offers four main types of car insurance policies:
- Comprehensive Car Insurance
- Third Party, Fire and Theft Insurance
- Third-Party Insurance
- BetterCar Insurance
On top of this, Dial Direct offers several additional cover options. Their ‘Auto Top-up’ is designed to take care of the shortfall between your payout and car loan amount if your vehicle is written off or stolen. Consumers concerned about mechanical and electrical breakdowns can take out a ‘Motor Warranty’ which pays out. ‘Scratch & Dent Cover’ protects you from forking out to fix smaller scratches, dents, and paint chips.
Discounts and Loyalty programs
Dial Direct offers discounts to their loyal customers who bundle insurance policies. Currently, there are two combo deals on offer: the ‘Streetsmart Combo’ and the ‘Happy Deal’. The ‘Streetsmart Combo’ starts from R499 per month and includes car, pothole, and cellphone cover. The ‘Happy Deal’ includes car and pothole cover and starts from R322 per month. Dial Direct’s cashback programme offers customers 25% of their premiums back following four years of claim-free. There is no additional fee to reap the rewards of Dial Direct Payback.
Claims Process
Claims can be started either by contacting a consultant via the customer care line, or via the app. Customers are advised to have as much information about the incident as possible. This may include your accident report number and information about the third parties involved. If the emergency assist service was used, Dial Direct will automatically contact the customer during office hours to begin the claims process.
Quality of Service
Dial Direct has attracted a relatively low number of online complaints. Out of the 27 complaints posted to complaintsboard.com, 6 were resolved by the company. The consensus amongst disgruntled customers is that they were not happy with the timeframe in which claims were handled, and they experienced communication difficulties with consultants.
Customer Satisfaction
Dial Direct’s hellopeter.com rating is 3,4 stars out of 5 stars, which shows some room for improvement in terms of their customer service experience. The positive reviews spoke of competent and professional consultants, while the negative reviews complained of a lack of transparency regarding successful claims and premium increases.
Complaints
For their 2021 report, the Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance (OSTI) noted that Dial Direct received 27 511 claims. However, the OSTI only received 96 complaints against the insurer. Of the complaints received only 6 were finalised in favour of the consumer and none had to be resolved by measures enforced by the OSTI.
Reputation
Taking into account the low number of complaints and their online presence, Dial Direct has been providing South Africans with satisfactory car insurance for 20 years. In 2019 Dial Direct won the ‘Product of the Year’ award in the Services Category according to a survey conducted by Nielsen.
Dial Direct’s Strengths and Weaknesses
The car insurance policies and assistance programme is very similar to other policies offered by competing insurers in South Africa. While there is room for improvement, many Dial Direct customers are happy with the service they receive from their insurer. Dial Direct offers South African consumers unique combo deals when it comes to insurance policies.
1st for Women's Car Insurance
Cost of Insurance
Comprehensive Vehicle Cover from 1st for Women costs upwards of R1363,25 per month. Claims attract an excess fee of R6950 each.
Car Insurance Coverage Options
1st for Women offers three main car insurance policies:
- Comprehensive Vehicle Cover
- Third-Party, Fire and Theft Vehicle Cover
- Third-Party Only Vehicle Cover
Consumers also have the option of adding sound system cover, hail damage, canopy cover, and car hire to their policies. Comprehensive Vehicle Cover policyholders have automatic access to the Guardian Angel Assistance programme.
Discounts and Loyalty Programs
Active policyholders who remain claim-free for four years stand to benefit from 1st for Women’s cashback programme. The cash-back incentive offers customers either 25% of all premiums paid to date or the full first year’s premiums in cash.
Claims Process
1st for Women will contact clients who made use of Guardian Angel Assistance following an accident to begin the claims process. Clients submit claims via the 1st for Women app or by calling the customer helpline on 0861 33 93 39.
Quality of Service
Consumers’ main issues with 1st for Women related to the poor communication from the insurer during the claims process and policy cancellations. A few clients were not happy with the level of professionalism displayed by 1st for women employees during claims investigations. Of the 64 complaints posted to complaintsboard.com, 13 were resolved by 1st for women.
Customer Satisfaction
1st for women has 3,5 stars out of 5 stars on hellopeter.com indicating that a majority of their reviews are positive. Happy clients spoke of the professional consultants and positive sales experience. The few negative reviewers were not happy with the cost of their premiums, difficulty cancelling policies, and time-consuming claims process.
Uniquely, 1st for Women’s parent company 1Life does acknowledge and respond to selected negative reviews. The company promises to escalate matters where possible to provide clients with detailed feedback regarding their issues.
Complaints
South African consumers will be happy to know that none of the complaints received by the Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance (OSTI) had to be resolved by any form of enforcement. In fact, the OSTI received 133 complaints against 1st for Women according to their 2021 report. In comparison, the insurer reported receiving 38,329 claims.
Reputation
1st for Women has been a popular insurer in the South African market since 2004. And while the company has won several awards for their marketing campaigns, 1st for Women has also won a few awards for its stellar service and brand. The company was shortlisted as one of the top five brands as part of The Sunday Times’ 2016 ‘Top Brands’ survey. In 2017, 1st for Women took the ‘Service Excellence Award’ in the Short-Term Insurance category at the Ask Africa Orange Index Awards.
1st for Women’s Strengths and Weaknesses
1st for Women’s unique selling point is that many of their policies and corporate social responsibility programmes are tailored to women and children in South Africa. This is particularly evident in their Guardian Angel Assistance programme. The premiums and excess fees are comparable to their competitors for the same level of coverage. While the company has won awards in the past and has had relatively few complaints to the OSTI, there is room for improvement in its customer service and claims process.
Virseker Car Insurance
Cost of Insurance
Insuring your vehicle with Virseker costs approximately R1391,26 per month for their comprehensive package. Excess fees for comprehensive package holders currently stand at R6950 per claim. The company’s ‘Third-party, Fire, and Theft’ policy costs less at R840,79 per month.
Cost of Insurance Coverage Options
There are three main coverage options at Virseker:
- Comprehensive Car Insurance
- Third-Party, Fire and Theft Car Insurance
- Third-Party Only Car Insurance
- BetterCar Insurance
As part of their car insurance policies, Virseker pays out medical costs up to R500 per person in the event of an accident. Cover extends to standard accessories on 4×4 vehicles but does not include the sound system.
Discounts and Loyalty Programs
Being claim-free for four years entitles clients to receive 25% of their premiums back in cash. Alternatively, clients receive their first year’s premiums back in cash. Virseker’s car insurance policies also include a Death Premium Waiver and Dread Disease Premium Waiver. All their policies also come with access to their assistance programme.
Claims Process
Virseker recommends submitting a claim over the phone or in writing. A consultant can be contacted via their helpline on 0860 10 90 59.
Quality of Service
There are no complaints posted against Virseker on complaintsboard.com.
Customer Satisfaction
Virseker has a stellar rating of 4,3 stars out of 5 stars on hellopeter.com. This is based on just over 3000 reviews, most of which praise the helpful customer service consultants, quick service and speedy claim feedback.
Complaints
Unfortunately, the Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance (OSTI) has no information available regarding complaints filed against Virseker in their recent 2021 report.
Reputation
Virseker is a subsidiary of the renowned Auto & General Insurance and has built a reputation for itself as a competent and efficient insurer. The company has a niche customer base in Afrikaans-speaking South Africans, due to their business dealings being conducted solely in Afrikaans. Virseker also supports initiatives to preserve and promote the Afrikaans language.
Virseker’s Strengths and Weaknesses
Virseker does alienate consumers who do not speak or understand Afrikaans fluently. Their webpage and information about their offerings are difficult to navigate without a good understanding of the language. However, there are mainly good reviews and customers are satisfied with the coverage and competitive premiums.
Iwyze Car Insurance
Cost of Insurance
Iwyze’s comprehensive car insurance policy premiums are slightly on the higher side at R1533,14 per month, with an excess fee of R5850 per claim. The ‘Third-party, Fire, and Theft’ premiums come in at R1555,87, making it slightly more expensive than the comprehensive policy. However, the excess fee is lower at R1555,87 per claim. Iwyze offers flexible premiums, which means that you can hit pause on paying premiums for a short period without having to cancel your policy. Keep in mind that you will not receive coverage during the time that you do not pay your premiums.
Car Insurance Coverage Options
Iwyze offers three coverage options:
- Comprehensive Car Insurance
- Third-Party, Fire and Theft Car Insurance
- Third-Party Only Car Insurance
Coverage extends to include emergency medical expenses for you and any passengers, as well as trauma counselling following an accident or harrowing incident. For car accidents that occur more than a distance of 250km from your home, Iwyze will cover emergency accommodation expenses for up to two days. Iwyze also covers lost and damaged keys, locks and remotes. Lastly, Iwyze has a ‘Road and Home Emergency Services’ cover that is automatically included in its policies. The service is available 24/7 and is comparable to similar programmes offered by their competitors.
Discounts and Loyalty Programs
Iwyze offers a ‘Cash Back Bonus’ to clients who remain claim free for three years and have paid their premiums on time every month. Clients who make use of the Road and Emergency Services programme can still benefit from the ‘Cash Back Bonus’ if there is no claim registered.
Claims Process
Claims can be submitted online, via the wyzeHUB platform, or by calling the emergency services number 0860 93 94 93. Registering a claim requires an Iwyze policy number, ID number, and SAPS case number if there is one.
Quality of Service
Iwyze has some concerning reviews on the popular site complaintsboard.com. One disgruntled client claimed that her insurance policy was terminated without reason and to her objection. The same client also experienced rejected claims and increased premiums twice within three months.
Customer Satisfaction
Iwyze has accumulated an overall rating of 2,6 stars out of 5 stars on hellopeter.com. The slew of negative reviewers had a few themes in common, namely rejected and drawn-out claims, issues cancelling policies, and ‘unfair’ premium increases. A few reviewers were not happy with customer service consultants, and roadside assistance services. But all is not bleak at Iwyze! Several existing clients praised the cool, calm, and collected nature of the consultants they interacted with.
Complaints
Iwyze’s parent company ‘Old Mutual’ recorded a total of 191, 481 claims according to the 2021 report issued by the Ombudsman for Short Term Insurance (OSTI). The OSTI received 559 complaints against parent company Old Mutual, making up 6,67% of all complaints received for the year.
Reputation
Gauging by its subpar hellopeter.com rating, and a substantial amount of complaints received by the OSTI, Iwyze has a less-than-desirable reputation as a car insurer in South Africa. While the coverage options and emergency services offered are comparable to its competitors, Iwyze’s premiums are slightly higher.
Iwyze’s Strengths and Weaknesses
Iwyze offers flexible premiums, optional cashback bonuses, and a ‘Road and Home’ emergency service. The premiums and excess payments are comparable to similar insurers, if not slightly higher. Iwyze does not have the best reputation when it comes to paying out claims, and customer service.
Pineapple Car Insurance
Cost of Insurance
Underwritten by Old Mutual Insurance, Pineapple’s car insurance premiums cost R1537,08 per month. Each claim attracts an excess payment of R5850.
Car Insurance Coverage Options
Pineapple cleverly calls its car insurance policy the ‘My Ride Policy’ and it is essentially a comprehensive car insurance policy. The policy covers theft, third-party damage and liabilities, accidental damage, fire damage, and weather-related damage. Extra cover is available for lost keys and windscreen and window damage.
Had a breakdown? Pineapple will cover the cost of towing and provide roadside assistance. In addition, Pineapple offers trauma counselling for clients and their loved ones following a violent incident. Emergency accommodation is covered if your vehicle is stolen or damaged more than 100km away from your home.
Discounts and Loyalty Programs
Pineapple’s unique discount programme gives clients a 30% discount on their premium for every month that they drive a distance of less than 300 km. This is known as their ‘Drive Less, Get Blessed’ programme.
Pineapple Rewards encourages clients to ‘live the Pineapple way’ and earn points which can be redeemed for vouchers. These vouchers include popular South African brands like Takealot and Superbalist.
Claims Process
Claims are submitted either through the Pineapple app or the webpage. There is a dedicated section for submitting a claim which requires clients to confirm the information they are submitting is true, the date of the incident, the items affected, and the type of damage. Clients provide more information regarding the claim and incident by submitting a voice note, uploading supporting documents, and even using Google Maps to indicate where the incident took place. If the incident has been reported to the police, Pineapple does require the case number.
Quality of Service
In a rare case, Pineapple has zero complaints on complaintsboard.com.
Customer Satisfaction
Current Pineapple clients are satisfied with their services judging by the 4,4 stars out of 5 stars rating on hellopeter.com. The insurer has a majority of five-star reviews which rave about the convenience, efficiency of service, and great consultants. The few negative reviews focussed on claims processing times and lack of feedback on claims.
Complaints
The Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance (OSTI) has no information available regarding complaints filed against Pineapple in their recent 2021 report.
Reputation
Pineapple is a relatively new insurance company, founded in 2015 by Marnus van Heerden and Matthew Elan Smith. Van Heerdan is passionate about creating technological solutions hence, Pineapple uses AI in its insurance process. Pineapple has mainly good reviews on hellopeter.com and can be seen as a trustworthy, albeit new, car insurance company.
Pineapple's Strengths and Weaknesses
Pineapple offers a range of unique rewards and discounts in the form of their ‘Drive Less, Get Blessed’ programme and Pineapple Rewards. Although Pineapple is new on the block, it has garnered positive attention online for its efficiency and great customer service. Pineapple’s ‘My Ride’ insurance and emergency assistance are on par with well-established insurance companies. The premiums and excess fees are also comparable with Pineapple’s competitors.
Old Mutual Car Insurance
Cost of Insurance
Expect to pay around R1547 per month for Old Mutual’s comprehensive car insurance policy. Excess fees for this type of policy are R5850 per claim. Old Mutual’s ‘Third-Party, Fire & Theft’ insurance policy is slightly cheaper at R1259,14 per month and has no excess fees.
Cost of Insurance Coverage Options
Old Mutual boasts custom-built insurance policies and premiums. Their Comprehensive Car Insurance covers accidental loss and damage, hijacking, weather damage, and third-party damage. Old Mutual’s car insurance extends to include emergency medical expenses and emergency accommodation for you and your passengers. Optional coverage includes car hire and credit shortfall cover.
Discounts and Loyalty Programs
Get 10% of your premiums from the previous 3 years back in cash with Old Mutual’s ‘Cash Back Bonus’. To qualify for cash back, clients must be claim free and have uninterrupted cover for the three-year period. The programme is based on all your existing insurance policies with Old Mutual, in other words, it is not limited to your car insurance policy.
Claims Process
Start the claims process by calling 0861 24 7365 to speak to a consultant. Alternatively, claims can be submitted online via the website.
Quality of Service
Popular online platform for airing grievances, complaintsboard.com has 28 complaints against Old Mutual. Unfortunately, only 2 complaints were resolved by the insurer. Most complaints are related to a lack of feedback on claims and lengthy wait times to speak to a consultant. A number of clients also complained about how long it took for claims to be paid out, and several claims that were not paid out at all.
Customer Satisfaction
Unfortunately, Old Mutual has an overall rating of 2 stars out of 5 stars on hellopeter.com. Reviews indicate that consumers are unhappy with the level of service and do not trust the insurer. Notably, clients were unhappy with how long it takes to receive a payout, lapsing of policies, and poor customer service.
Complaints
According to the 2021 report by the Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance (OSTI), Old Mutual received 191 481 claims and the OSTI received 559 complaints against the insurer. Keep in mind that these values include complaints against subsidiaries of Old Mutual. Overall, 0,97% of the complaints received had to be resolved by measures being enforced by the OSTI.
Reputation
Old Mutual is an insurer with a rich history. The company was founded in 1845 as ‘The Mutual Life Assurance Society of the Cape of Good Hope’ and then expanded into providing assorted financial products to a worldwide customer base.
Old Mutual’s Strengths and Weaknesses
Old Mutual offers flexible and customisable cover, so clients can pay for services that suit their budget and needs. The premiums for comprehensive cover are slightly higher than those of Old Mutual’s competitors. Whilst Old Mutual is a well-established insurance company in South Africa, it does not have a great reputation online.
King Price Car Insurance
Cost of Insurance
Premiums for King Price car insurance are approximately R1789,58 per month for the comprehensive policy. The ‘Third-party, Fire & Theft’ policy costs less at R1107,66 per month. Excess fees for the comprehensive policy are R6500 per claim.
Car Insurance Coverage Options
There are six coverage options available at King Price:
- Comprehensive Cover
- Agreed Value
- Theft and write-off
- Third-party, Fire & Theft
- Third-Party Only
- Collectable Car Insurance
King Price does offer a few unique policies compared to its competitors. The ‘Agreed Value’ policy offers the same benefits as the comprehensive cover, however, the insured value of your vehicle remains constant for three years. The ‘Theft and write-off’ policy offers coverage in the event that your vehicle is irrecoverable/irreparable following a theft, hijacking, or accident. Lastly, the ‘Collectable Car Insurance’ policy is designed with classic or higher-value vehicles in mind and premiums are calculated on the distance travelled.
Discounts and Loyalty Programs
Earn up to 20% off your premiums by insuring more than two vehicles with King Price insurance. King Price advertises itself as an insurer that offers decreasing premiums, meaning the cost of the insurance decreases in proportion to the value of the vehicle.
Claims Process
Following an accident or traumatic incident such as a hijacking or theft, the King Price emergency and roadside assistance line should be contacted at 0860 50 50 50. If necessary, the police should be informed and a case number generated. A description of the incident, as well as all pertinent paperwork, should be emailed to [email protected]. This includes a copy of the police report, case number, official statement, and details of the police officers involved. A list of the items damaged, lost or stolen should also be submitted, along with any third-party information.
Quality of Service
Whilst King Price only has nine complaints on complaintsboard.com, none of them have been resolved. The complaints range from a poor customer service experience to a lengthy claims process to struggles with cancelling policies. Additionally, several clients were not satisfied with the manner in which claims were assessed, repairs conducted, and the roadside assistance services.
Customer Satisfaction
With over 50,000 reviews on hellopeter.com, King Price Insurance has a rating of 4,6 stars out of 5 stars. The few negative reviews generally focussed on difficulties in getting hold of a consultant who could assist in resolving a query, spam calls, and difficulty getting claims approved. The happy customers reported helpful call centre agents, great discounts, and reliable service.
Complaints
King Price Insurance receive a significant 131 314 claims according to the 2021 report issued by the Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance (OSTI). The OSTI received 504 complaints against the insurer during this period, of which 2,16% had to be resolved through measures enforced by the OSTI.
King Price’s Strengths and Weaknesses
While the insurer does offer decreasing premiums, the premiums and excess fees are steep compared to King Price’s competitors. The rave reviews outweigh the few negative ones, and the general perception is that King Price is a great choice for car insurance. King Price offers unique car insurance policies that takes into account the different needs and budgets of South Africans.
Dotsure Car Insurance
Cost of Insurance
Premiums will set you back around R1441,76 per month for comprehensive car insurance, with a 10% minimum excess fee. There are cheaper policies available with the ‘Third-Party, Fire & Theft’ policy costing R268,02 per month, and the ‘Total Loss Only’ policy costing R253,02 per month.
Car Insurance Coverage Options
Dotsure encourages you to ‘Name Your Price’ when it comes to their insurance policies. Cover includes accidental damages, windscreen damages, third-party, fire and theft. However, clients can customise their insurance policy based on their needs. The customisable cover options include:
- Weekend Cover
- Hail Cover
- Night Driving
- Windscreen Cover
- Frequent Driver
- Single Driver
‘Pothole Protect’ is an additional benefit that recovers the cost of repairing pothole-related damages. Dotsure offers a number of bonus services, including emergency roadside assistance and emergency medical transportation. Dotsure makes your life easier with its accident protect, fines protect, and license protect services. These services will deal with RAF claims, traffic fines, and renewing your licenses respectively.
Discounts and Loyalty Programs
Get a discount of up to 20% on your premium by purchasing your insurance policy online via Dotsure’s webpage. Referring a loved one to purchase comprehensive car insurance earns you a once-off discount of R250. The person you referred will also receive a once-off R500 discount on their premium.
Claims Process
Dotsure car insurance claims are submitted online on the Manage Portal along with all the relevant documents. Once Dotsure has received the claim, a consultant will be in touch to advise you on the next steps.
Quality of Service
Disappointingly, none of the twenty-four complaints posted to complaintsboard.com have been resolved by Dotsure. The main issues raised were unwillingness to pay out the full claim amount, increases in premiums, and difficulty in communicating. Many clients were not satisfied with the service from consultants and felt that their issues were not being heard and escalated to the appropriate authority.
Customer Satisfaction
Dotsure has an impressive hellopeter rating of 4,7 stars out of 5 stars. This is based on over 28,000 reviews, many of which praise the friendly and helpful consultants at Dotsure. The few negative reviews again refer to miscommunications, not receiving the full claim amount, and unauthorised debit orders.
Customer Satisfaction
Dotsure has an impressive hellopeter rating of 4,7 stars out of 5 stars. This is based on over 28,000 reviews, many of which praise the friendly and helpful consultants at Dotsure. The few negative reviews again refer to miscommunications, not receiving the full claim amount, and unauthorised debit orders.
Complaints
The Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance (OSTI) revealed in their 2021 report that Dotsure received 109,637 claims for the period. The OSTI received 283 complaints against Dotsure. Just over 1% of these complaints were resolved through measures enforced by the OSTI.
Reputation
Dotsure.co.za was established by the Oakhurst Insurance Company Limited in 2011 in an attempt to innovate the insurance industry with the use of technology. Oakhurst Insurance Company Limited was a well-known insurance company founded over two decades ago; many loyal customers switched to Dotsure because of the reputation of its parent company.
Dotsure’s Strengths and Weaknesses
Dotsure’s main selling point is the customizability of its policies, allowing consumers to only pay for the cover that they want. There are a considerable number of unique benefits available and ways to save on your premiums. The premiums and excess fees are reasonable for the coverage. The main downside of Dotsure is the customer service experience, notably the claims process and payouts.
OUTsurance Car Insurance
Cost of Insurance
OUTsurance is the most expensive insurer, with monthly premiums of R2645,16 for their comprehensive car insurance policy. The ‘Essential’ car insurance policy is slightly cheaper at R2113,99 per month.
Car Insurance Coverage Options
OUTsurance’s comprehensive car insurance provides financial compensation and assistance in the event of accidental damage, theft, hijacking, and third-party damage. Comprehensive policyholders also have access to a range of add-ons and Help@OUT. Add-ons include hire cars, cover for 4×4 vehicles during trips within Southern Africa, and telephonic medical and legal assistance.
OUTsurance’s essential car insurance package is a budget-friendly version of its comprehensive package. It covers you in the event of theft, hijacking or fire damage; paying up to R1 000 000 in third-party claims and in cash for any repairs.
Motor Warranty Insurance provides peace of mind in the event of unforeseen electrical or mechanical faults. To qualify for this insurance package, your vehicle must not be older than 15 years with a mileage of less than 300 000 km. Lastly, OUTsurance will require a full-service history.
Discounts and Loyalty Programs
OUTsurance’s ‘Best Price Guarantee’ offers potential clients R500 in cash if OUTsurance cannot beat their current premium. This is increased to R1,500 if they’ve been with their current insurer for more than three years.
The SmartDrive programme uses the OUTsurance app to generate a profile based on your driving habits. Improving your driving score can earn you a 10% discount on your car insurance premium.
The comprehensive car insurance policy offers a 12-month fixed premium guarantee, which is still valid if you make a claim during the period. However, remaining claim-free for three years allows clients to receive 10% of their premiums back in cash through the ‘OUTbonus’ programme.
Claims Process
Claims are begun on the OUTsurance app or web-based client portal, alternatively, a consultant can be contacted telephonically at 08600 70 000. The OUTsurance app and web-based client portal have a claims tracking feature to provide updates.
Quality of Service
While OUTsurance has 136 complaints on complaintsboard.com, 64% of these complaints have been resolved. This is a refreshing statistic compared to OUTsurance’s competitors, as in the majority of complaints OUTsurance acknowledged the frustration caused and escalated the matter internally. Most complaints on the platform were about poor customer service, delayed claim payments, and difficulty cancelling policies.
Customer Satisfaction
Hellopeter.com rates OUTsurance 3,5 stars out of 5 stars, with praise for the customer service. The unhappy customers complained of long wait times to get claims processed, unwarranted policy cancellations, and lack of feedback.
Complaints
OUTsurance received 321,700 claims according to the 2021 report by the Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance (OSTI). In turn, the OSTI received 279 complaints against OUTsurance. Fortunately, the OSTI did not have to resort to enforcing measures to resolve any of the claims.
Reputation
In the insurance business for over 25 years, OUTsurance began as a car and household insurer in 1998. In that time OUTsurance has won countless awards, such as News24’s ‘Short-term Insurer of the Year’ for 2022. This was based on survey responses from over 5,000 consumers.
OUTsurance’s Strengths and Weaknesses
Whilst OUTsurance has received some complaints, there are visible efforts to follow up on these issues. Unfortunately, OUTsurance is pricey considering that their coverage is comparable to that of their competitors. The coverage is fairly comprehensive and there are opportunities to earn a discount on premiums.
Santam Car Insurance
Cost of Insurance
Comprehensive vehicle insurance at Santam costs between R1661 and R2489 per month. On top of this, excess fees are R5,000 per claim.
Car Insurance Coverage Options
The three coverage options available at Santam are:
- Comprehensive Cover
- Limited (Fire, Theft and Hijacking) Cover
- Third-Party Only Cover
Santam’s comprehensive car cover also includes the options to insure your car for a guaranteed value and replace your car with a similar model following a theft. The cost of replacing locks, keys, and remote controls is also covered under the comprehensive policy.
Discounts and Loyalty Programs
‘SmartPark’ is Santam’s discount programme aimed at people who drive less than 15,000 km a year. It provides a discount of up to 20% on car insurance premiums. Installing a tracker from Netstar qualifies you for a discount of up to 15% on your car insurance premium.
Claims Process
In the event of an emergency, the SOS claims helpline should be contacted on 0860 505 911. Otherwise, claims can be submitted online via the client portal or the client app. Once the process has begun, claims can also be tracked on these online platforms.
Quality of Service
Reputable site complaintsboard.com noted 13 complaints against Santam. Most of these complaints were about the claims process, namely unwillingness to pay out a claim. Several clients were unhappy with the way claims were assessed, the feedback received on claims, and how long it took for them to receive a payout.
Customer Satisfaction
Santam has a disappointing rating of 2,4 stars out of 5 stars on hellopeter.com. This indicates that more customers were unhappy with the insurer than there were happy customers. Again issues surrounding the assessment of claims, timely payouts, and poor communication were raised. On the other hand, several clients praised Santam for its speedy service and excellent emergency assistance service.
Complaints
Santam received a whopping 350,989 claims according to the 2021 Ombudsman for Short Term Insurance (OSTI) report. The OSTI went on to receive 416 complaints against Santam Insurance Limited. In total 35 complaints were resolved in favour of the consumer, in other words, Santam was found to have been unfair in less than 10% of complaints received by the OSTI.
Reputation
Founded in 1918 as the South African National Trust and Assurance Company Limited, Santam has been providing South Africans with insurance for over a century. In that time, Santam has won many awards including ‘Commercial and Corporate Short-Term Insurer of the Year’ by the Financial Intermediaries Association of Southern Africa in 2014. Santam is also known for its corporate social investment programmes such as its Child Art programme, its involvement in ClimateWise, and donations to support relief efforts in SA.
Santam’s Strengths and Weaknesses
Santam has the advantage of being one of the oldest insurance companies in South Africa. Many South Africans are very familiar with the brand and are likely to trust the company, despite their customer service experience needing improvement. The premiums are one of the more expensive compared to Santam’s competitors, whilst the coverage options are not unique.
MiWay Car Insurance
Cost of Insurance
MiWay’s premiums are the cheapest on the market at R857,27 per month for their comprehensive policy. Their ‘Third-Party, Fire and Theft’ policy is even cheaper at R438,76 per month.
Car Insurance Coverage Options
There are four coverage options for car insurance at MiWay:
- Comprehensive Car Insurance
- Third-Party, Fire and Theft Car Insurance
- Third-Party Only Car Insurance
- Total Loss
There are also four options when it comes to deciding the value for which your car is insured:
- Retail Value
- Market Value
- Trade Value
- Special Agreed Value
The ‘Special Agreed Value’ is mostly applied to collectable vehicles and requires a valuation of the vehicle. MiWay’s comprehensive car insurance also comes with access to their 24-hour roadside assistance service and ‘We-Drive’ which is a take-me-home driver service.
Discounts and Loyalty Programs
Insuring two or more cars with MiWay gets you a discount of up to 25% on your premiums. Combining insurance policies also results in discounted premiums, for example combining your MiWay home and car insurance policies offers a discount of up to 15%. Lastly, get one month’s premium back in cash after three months by buying your insurance policy online.
Claims Process
After reporting the matter to the police, a claim can be registered with MiWay in one of four ways. This includes online via the self-service portal or mobile app, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 0860 64 64 64. It’s important to have all necessary information and documentation on hand and to take note of the claim reference number issued by MiWay.
Quality of Service
Out of the 71 complaints posted to complaintsboard.com, 52 were acknowledged and resolved by MiWay. A majority of the complaints revolved around the claims process. Clients were not happy with how long they had to wait to receive a payout or assistance in completing repairs; several clients were not happy with the service providers contracted to complete repairs.
Customer Satisfaction
Whilst there are a few negative reviews regarding MiWay’s claims process and the overall customer service experience, MiWay does have a rating of 4,5 stars out of 5 stars on hellopeter.com. Many clients were impressed with the customer service consultants, especially during the quotation process.
Complaints
A total of 495 complaints were brought forward to the Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance according to their 2021 report. Approximately 7% of the complaints were resolved in favour of the consumer. This is in light of the 138,421 claims registered with MiWay.
Reputation
Launched in 2008, MiWay is a subsidiary of the well-established insurance company Santam. MiWay’s popularity with South Africans is evident; the company was voted to Ask Afrika’s ‘Best Provider of Auto/Car Insurance’ in 2019.
MiWays’s Strengths and Weaknesses
Whilst MiWay’s coverage and perks are on par with that of its competitors, MiWay offers cheap premiums, discounts, and good customer service. That doesn’t mean to say that there is no room for improvement when it comes to MiWay’s claims process.
PMD Car Insurance
Cost of Insurance
At R1251,55 per month, PMD offers competitive premiums for their comprehensive car cover. PMD’s customised car insurance is even cheaper at R569 per month. The comprehensive cover attracts an excess fee of R5,000 which is adjustable after the first five months.
Car Insurance Coverage Options
PMD’s Comprehensive Car Insurance Cover policy includes:
- Write-off and accident cover
- Theft and hijacking
- Third-party vehicle liability
- R10,000 Free Accidental Death Cover
- Hail damage cover
- Natural fire and disaster
- Glass cover
- 24-hour roadside assistance and towing
The ‘Customised Car Insurance Cover’ option includes:
- Write-off and accident cover
- Theft and hijacking
- Natural fire and disaster
- Third-party vehicle liability
- 24-hour roadside assistance and towing
The ‘Third-Party PLUS Car Insurance’ policy covers:
- Third-party vehicle liability
- Accidental Damage
Discounts and Loyalty Programs
Unfortunately, Prime Meridian Direct does not offer any discounts or incentives for loyal customers currently.
Claims Process
PMD accepts claims on their mobile app, via email at [email protected], or over the phone at 011 745 7800. Claims should be registered within 48 hours of the incident occurring. Included in the documentation should be photographic evidence of damage.
Quality of Service
PMD has driven very few of their clients to post complaints on complaintsboard.com. The only review found complained of difficulty getting feedback on a car insurance claim.
Customer Satisfaction
The consensus from over 11,000 reviews is that PMD offers quick friendly service. Of course, there are still a few negative reviews regarding the claims process and the time taken to complete repairs. Overall, Prime Meridian Direct received a rating of 4,6 stars out of 5 stars.
Complaints
Unfortunately, the Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance (OSTI) has no information available regarding complaints filed against Prime Meridian Direct in their 2021 report.
Reputation
Underwritten by Santam Structured Insurance Limited, PMD has been on the South African market since 2009. With 14 years in the insurance industry, Prime Meridian Direct has become a trusted service provider.
PMD’s Strengths and Weaknesses
PMD offers customisable and comprehensive car insurance policies at a reasonable price. The company has received more positive reviews than negative reviews. The major downside of insuring your vehicle with PMD is the lack of incentives. There are no discounts or loyalty programmes being marketed to attract new clients or keep the existing clients happy.
Conclusion
Based on the premiums, coverage and customer service reviews, the best overall car insurance is MiWay. A close second place would go to 1st for women for their comprehensive coverage, excellent assistance programme and competitive premiums. Unfortunately, the car insurer that needs the most improvement is Old Mutual with over 500 complaints to the Ombudsman. Nedbank is another insurer with lots of room for improvement, given that 23,87% of the complaints received about them resulted in favour of the consumer. The cheapest car insurance on the market is currently MiWay with a monthly premium of R857.27. On the other side of the spectrum, OUTsurance is the most expensive car insurer with their monthly premium of R2645,16.
