Looking for car cover but not the full-blown comprehensive commitment? Third-party only car insurance might be just what you need! This type of insurance comes with the fewest benefits, but it's saves many drivers hassle when they've caused accidental damage to someone else's property.
Third-Party Insurance Benefits
- Some are better than none: It's better to be covered for the bare minimum than to have no insurance at all.
- Liability cover sorted: If you cause an accident, you're covered for the liability you might face.
- Peace of mind: Trust us, driving a car with insurance is a better experience than cruising around without it.
What Does Third-Party Cover Do, Exactly?
Here's a scenario for you. You're driving to work when the robots at your favourite intersection (insert sarcasm here) aren't working. AGAIN. You're so distracted by your irritation that you don't keep track of whose turn it is to go, and you move out of turn. And, oh no, you've T-boned a car coming from the other side.
In this instance, you've caused an accident—you're at fault. That means it's your responsibility to pay for the damage you've done to the other vehicle. But luckily, you have third-party only car insurance. You exchange insurance details with the other driver, stop by the cop shop to report the incident (or do it online if you can), and submit an insurance claim to your provider. From there, it's basically out of your hands; your provider will take care of the rest, and you're not obliged to pay for the repairs from your own pocket.
That's not all, though. Let's say you hit the other car’s boot and damaged the driver's laptop in there. Your insurer will pay for this, too. That's because property damage isn't only limited to cars, but extends to other personal belongings. It could also apply if, say, you crash into the boundary wall of someone's house.
What Does Third-Party Not Cover?
Third-party cover only insures you for third-party liability. To help you understand the difference between the various car insurance options, here's a handy reference table to get a quick insight.
Insurance Coverage Comparison
| Comprehensive | Third Party, Fire, & Theft | Third Party Only | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accidents | • | ||
| Theft & hijacking | • | • | |
| Vandalism | • | ||
| Fire & explosions | • | • | |
| Damage to someone else’s property | • | • | • |
| Weather damage | • |
Does Third-Party Insurance Cover Personal Injuries?
In South Africa (unlike some other countries), a person cannot make a third-party claim against you to pay for their medical bills if you cause them injury on the road. Rather, that is for the Road Accident Fund to pay out. Third-party liability extends only to others' property.
Is Third-Party Only Insurance a Legal Requirement?
Since 2011, the South African Insurance Association (SAIA) has called for mandatory third-party car insurance, with the argument that if all drivers were insured, the cost of insurance would come down and there would be more funds available to repair the damaged cars on our roads. While this type of insurance isn’t mandatory yet, it may very well be in the near future.
Expert Tools, Tips and Guides
Welcome to our comprehensive Car Insurance Guide, where we've meticulously compiled essential information, tools, and insights designed to assist you in navigating the complex world of car insurance.
Expert Tools, Tips and Guides
Welcome to our comprehensive Car Insurance Guide, where we've meticulously compiled essential information, tools, and insights designed to assist you in navigating the complex world of car insurance.
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Our Guides |
Our Tips |
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Comprehensive Cover: Offers extensive protection against financial losses from a wide array of incidents involving your vehicle. |
Exploring Car Insurance Options Understand the different levels of coverage available to suit your needs. |
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Third Party, Fire and Theft: Not only covers damages to others but also protects your car against theft or fire damage. |
Impact of Excess on Premiums: Learn how your insurance excess can influence the cost of your premium. |
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Third Party Only: Safeguards against the costs of damage to other people and their property, without covering your own vehicle. |
Affordable Car Insurance: Tips for finding cost-effective car insurance coverage for peace of mind. |
| under 25s Car Insurance: Navigate how your age influences your risk profile and insurance premiums. |
Insurance Claim Process: A straightforward guide to filing a claim with your insurer. |
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Vehicle Use Classification: Offers extensive protection against financial losses from a wide array of incidents involving your vehicle. |
Car Guide: A great guide to South Africa's car brands, insurance premiums for those brands and more. |
