5 tips for happy insured holiday motoring
Datsun South Africa gives their top five tips for ensuring that you will have a happy holiday without having to worry about your insurance.
- Makes sure that if your car is left at home that it is parked in accordance with the circumstances that are listed on your insurance policy. If you have told the company your car is in a locked garage when not being used and this is not true, if the car is stolen or damaged, your claim could be repudiated
- Before leaving for holiday ensure that your vehicle is in a good condition. If you are involved in an accident and the cause might be due to worn tyres or defective wiper blades on your vehicle, you could be the one paying the repair bill. Therefore, it is important to get your car serviced before a holiday.
- Think about who will be driving your car over the holiday. If you are driving long distances and swapping drivers, make sure their details are listed on your policy so they are covered for driving your vehicle. Don’t assume that because another driver may have comprehensive insurance on his or her car that this cover transfers to your vehicle. It is particularly important to specify alternate drivers if they are youngsters who can be expected to pay larger excesses. Lastly, make sure all drivers have valid licenses.
- Watch your road manners. Many policies carry clauses which repudiate payment if ‘failure to take care’ can be proved on the driver’s part. Breaking traffic regulations, overtaking on solid white lines and exceeding the speed limit and then being involved in an accident are not favourably regarded by insurance companies.
- Avoid driving under the influence. Drinking and driving don’t go well together and insurance companies generally won’t pay for damage to your car, and others you might injure if you drive drunk. Either have a designated driver or call an Uber.