Don’t go it alone in third-party cover
It’s no open-and-shut case, even if it seems you’re innocent
If you're insured and involved in a car accident for which you think you are not to blame, don't try to go it alone - especially if you have third-party-only cover. A few years ago, Capetonian Londiwe Buthelezi decided to downgrade her insurance to third-party only. A monthly premium of around R350 for comprehensive cover on an ageing Hyundai Getz didn't seem worth it. "The value of the car was decreasing, but the premium was rising. In the event of a total loss, I would get less than the previous year though I'd be paying more in a premium." Being a good driver, she reckoned that third-party insurance would be adequate. With third-party insurance, you don't have cover for damages to your vehicle when you're involved in an accident; your insurer covers you for damages to the vehicle of the third party - anyone, apart from you, whose vehicle was damaged by you in an accident. In August, the driver of an oncoming vehicle turned in front of Buthelezi. She smacked into the side of the o...
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