Many South Africans assume that claiming from insurance and the processes that go with it are more complicated than they are, especially when either party is uninsured or the crash involves several vehicles.
This is according to Wynand van Vuuren, client experience partner at King Price, who says that even though car accidents can be traumatic, insurers have processes in place to navigate the uncertainty.
Van Vuuren explains that many drivers assume the insurance claims process will become complicated if they weren’t at fault, if the other driver doesn’t have insurance, or if multiple cars are involved.
People often anticipate prolonged legal battles and extensive investigations, but this is not how claims work in practice.
“From a claims perspective, it doesn’t matter whether you reversed into a shopping trolley or were in a collision involving several cars,” says Van Vuuren.
“The process is the same. If your claim is valid and your details are in order, your insurer will handle it as quickly as possible.”
He mentions that when multiple cars are involved in a crash, insurers may need to communicate with another party’s insurer, but this tends to happen in the background.
It does not necessarily mean payouts will be delayed or cause an insured person to navigate the legal complexities themselves.
“We take up liability issues with the other insurers without involving our clients, and while these issues can be complex and drawn out, we prioritise paying valid claims out first,” explains van Vuuren.
Being involved in a crash with another party that is uninsured won’t necessarily leave a driver exposed either, with Van Vuuren assuring that if you have car insurance and the claim is valid, you will be paid out.
“Your insurer will pursue the uninsured driver for recovery of costs if it’s appropriate, but you don’t have to wait on this process to see your own claim resolved,” he notes.
Having some level of cover is crucial in South Africa, even if it is only third-party.
“There are car insurance options to suit all pockets and, while not all options cover everything, they all cover you for your liability to third parties,” explains Van Vuuren.
“Without it, you could be held personally responsible for your own repairs as well as damage to other cars and property.”
Ensuring a smooth process
There are a few practical steps Van Vuuren suggests motorists should follow when in an accident that will help ensure that the claims process runs smoothly.
Because safety must always be prioritised, seeking medical help is crucial, and if anyone is injured, the police legally need to be called to the scene.
Documenting the scene is also an important step in any insurance claim. Van Vuuren suggests taking photos, gathering driver and witness details, and reporting the incidents to police within 24 hours, if possible.
Notifying your insurer as soon as possible is also crucial, sharing all relevant information and any dashcam and telematics footage, if available, to speed up the claims process.
Ensuring that you understand what is covered and what is not is just as important as having cover in the first place, and reviewing it annually and ensuring up-to-date personal details and premiums is crucial.
Van Vuuren says it is important to check that the regular driver is correctly listed on the policy schedule and be prepared to pay the chosen excess.
“Whether or not you’re at fault, the other driver is uninsured, or multiple cars are involved, insured drivers submit their claim with all the required documentation, and their insurer assesses it just as they would for any other incident,” concludes Van Vuuren.
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