There are many common insurance claims that are submitted every day, but some are much more costly than others.
King Price Insurance has delved into its records to determine which of the most frequent claims it receives from its clients are the most expensive to pay out, and what you can do to avoid them.
Accidents as a result of driving under the influence
Over 60% of accidents on the country’s roads are caused by drunk driving.
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is not only illegal, but also extremely dangerous as it significantly raises the chances of being in an accident and causing immeasurable harm to yourself and everyone else involved.
“It’s also a reason for car insurance claims to be rejected and, in some cases, for your policy to be cancelled,” said King Price.
Avoiding this is as simple as being prepared if you know you’re going out to have a few drinks, or not drinking at all if you’re the one driving.
Plan ahead and arrange for a designated driver, a ride-sharing service such as Uber, or find out whether your insurance includes an option to request a driver.
In the case of King Price, the insurer offers the “King’s Cab” benefit which sends a driver to take you and your vehicle home if you are over the limit, for a small additional fee on your monthly premium.
Distracted driving accidents
While it’s difficult for an insurer to prove that a car crash was the result of a distracted driver, it remains one of the main reasons for these incidents.
An international study by the AA determined that around half of the people who were involved in freak accidents – such as “a tree that came out of nowhere” – were distracted by their smartphones and drifted or swerved into the object or another lane.
“The fact is that distracted driving is a leading cause of car accidents, and it’s entirely preventable,” said King Price.
“Keep the sound at a reasonable volume and either put your phone on silent or turn it off before you start driving. If you need to make a call or send a message, pull over to a safe place first.”
Engine damage caused by neglect
Without regular engine maintenance and servicing, things can unexpectedly go very wrong.
You might be traveling down the freeway one day, hear an unpleasant noise, feel a loss of power, and see a puff of smoke, or even worse, flames, rise up from the nose of your car. This can even lead to other undesired consequences like an accident.
“That’s a double-whammy of costs coming your way, because you’ll have your damaged engine to fix, as well as any costs related to the accident,” said the insurer.
“And you know what? There are some instances where engine neglect can void your insurance, so you won’t be able to claim.”
Therefore, it’s wise to top up your motor’s fluids on a regular basis and not skip the manufacturer’s recommended service intervals.
Pothole damage
The number of potholes on South Africa’s roads is growing by the day and damaging the tyres, wheels, and suspension of all the vehicles driving over them.
In fact, potholes were the “main inspiration” for King Price’s tyre and rim insurance, said the company.
“There’s a simple trick to navigating this type of claim and that’s to take it slow and pay attention,” said King Price.
“If you’ve got your eyes on the road, you can quickly pick up that it’s in a bad state and take that as your cue to slow down. This gives you the time and space to safely avoid the holes, cracks, and crevasses.”
Theft
An unfortunate reality is that car theft is a huge problem in South Africa.
While it’s not foolproof, there are methods to minimise the attractiveness of your vehicle to thieves.
This includes always parking your car in a well-lit area, double-checking that your remote has actually locked your car, and hiding valuables out of sight – such as in the glove box or boot.
If you want to prepare for the worst, also consider installing a tracking device that will make it easier to find the vehicle, or at least parts of it, if it is stolen.
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