How to Insure a Car: Beginner’s Guide to Getting Car Insurance

You always wear a seatbelt when you’re in the car, never text while driving, and look both ways before crossing. These are just some of the safety measures you take every time you hit the road. If you’re driving without car insurance, however, you’re putting yourself at risk. Dialdirect makes it easy to insure a car and get the coverage you need with fast and free car insurance quotes. Pick from multiple insurance options that protect against more than just an accident and can go as far as covering theft, fire, and a lot more. Ready to learn more? Check out Dialdirect’s complete guide to getting car insurance.

Why do you need car insurance?

It’s easy to think that freak occurrences like car theft or an automobile fire won’t happen to you. Hopefully, it doesn’t. If it did, could you afford to replace the car without insurance helping to cover the costs?

According to government statistics for 2019/20, an average of 88,000 cars were stolen in South Africa. If any of these unlucky people had a comprehensive insurance policy from Dialdirect, the cost of replacing their automobiles would have been covered.

When you’re a safe driver, it is easy to see the monthly premiums as a wasted expense but try to flip that mindset and think of insurance as saving you money. In 2016, the latest year where data was available, the average cost of a small accident was R48,533, and a more serious accident averaged R765,664.

The average number of fatal crashes in the country in 2020 was more than 12,500, which is one of the highest rates in the world. If you insure a car, other common headaches that insurance will help with include roadside assistance and covering the cost of damage. So if you get a flat tyre, Dialdirect will be there to assist. Damage from a pothole? With the right insurance plan, Dialdirect will have you back on the road in no time.. Insurance isn’t just about covering theft or damage. It also protects you from your fellow drivers. While car insurance is not mandatory in South Africa, it is estimated that up to 70% of the nearly 11 million registered drivers in the country are on the roads without insurance.

How to buy car insurance in 4 easy steps

1. Determine what sort of car insurance cover you need

One of the best types of car insurance cover is called comprehensive car insurance, and it offers peace of mind every time you drive. Our superhero policy is called BetterCar Insurance. This best-in-class policy takes care of everything from theft, fire, potholes, and car accidents. The Dialdirect BetterCar programme will not only replace your car if it’s a write-off, but we’ll replace your car with a one year newer one.

If comprehensive car insurance isn’t right for you, consider a third-party supplemental policy. There are a few options to consider here, and you could take out a policy that only covers fire and car theft or perhaps the Only Car insurance policy is the right one for you. Before making a decision, it’s important to get a car insurance quote and understand where the policy might leave you vulnerable and how much an uninsured incident will cost you out of pocket.

There are two other Dialdirect insurance benefits worth mentioning. The first is a plan we call Auto Top Up insurance. For example, let’s say your car is written off due to an accident, theft, or other circumstances, but you’re still making payments on your vehicle that are greater than the insurance payout. If you’re enrolled in Auto Top Up, Dialdirect will cover any outstanding payments on your loan.

2. Decide how much car insurance you need

There are several factors to consider when choosing the amount of coverage you’d like. The main choice is between comprehensive coverage or supplemental coverage. Next, consider the value and type of vehicle you want to insure. Did you know we offer off-road coverage for 4x4s? Once you have a general idea of what you’re looking for, reach out to one of our expert brokers to ensure the coverage you’re considering is adequate.

3. Compare car insurance quotes from reputable companies

Dialdirect would love your business, and our plans offer a range of coverage to suit every driver and vehicle type. We understand, however, that you’ll want to shop around for the best rate and get car insurance quotes from two or three reputable companies. Try the online Dialdirect car insurance calculator for convenience.

4. Buy a policy and cancel your old one

If this is your first car, the process of getting insurance is pretty straightforward, and you’ll need to pick your ideal policy. Swapping policies requires the additional step of canceling the original. Try and avoid a policy lapse. 

What do you need to insure a car?

In addition to a payment plan, there are a few things you’ll need to finalise your car insurance policy. Be sure to bring your identity documents with you, and the vehicle information, like the vehicle make and model, mileage, name of the registered owner, and the address where the car is located and stored.

Insure a car with Dialdirect

Even though car insurance isn’t mandatory in South Africa, you’ll be better protected on the road with a policy from Dialdirect. Choose the care cover you want and get a quick, hassle-free car insurance quote online.