10 Tips to reduce the cost of Car Insurance Cover

The 2015 budget speech left little room for celebration. Personal income tax is up, fuel levies are up, as are sin taxes. Most of us have little or no control over these spiralling expenses and our budgets gasp as we try to squeeze in the additional expenditure. But there are ways to make our money go further … even in the unlikeliest places.

Innovation Group’s Managing Exec for Insurance, Jonathan Holden, identifies 10 tips to turn pricey-but-necessary insurance into budget boosting cover.

• Structure your excess carefully
A higher excess can reduce your monthly premiums. As the self-insurance portion of our risk cover, an excess can be structured to suit our specific needs and, more importantly, our specific pockets. By analysing our individual financial commitments, it is possible to identify the amount that we can comfortably carry in the event of a claim.
An excess kitty can be earmarked for emergencies and, if you are lucky enough not to claim, this sum becomes an annual saving instead of an expense.

• Update the market value

Most vehicles decrease in value every month. It is important to ensure that you are not paying to insure a brand new vehicle when you’ve been driving it for 5 years. Many consumers assume that the market value is automatically amended but, in most instances, this is not yet the case.

• Don’t disregard the discount

Most risk improvements can be coupled with a premium discount. Security systems, tracking devices and related measures all have an influence on your monthly insurance outlay. Be mindful of the factors that drive the structure of your policies and make sure that all enhancements are disclosed to your insurer.

• Consolidate your policies

There is little risk in consolidating your insurance policies under one provider. The financial benefits of cross-subsidization (one policy that reduces the cost of another) can be substantial. Shop around. Make sure that the company you pick can accommodate all of your insurance requirements, from vehicles and household contents to special purpose assets such as your son’s jet ski or the family caravan or even your daughter’s horse.

• Be aware of unnecessary policy riders

Some so-called ‘free’ benefits can be costly. Typically an insurance rider supplements an existing policy with more coverage but this extra service may prove to significantly increase your premium. Do you really need additional cover or an array of services that are not a part of your lifestyle? Check that the premium for value added services is absolutely necessary and that you have the most suitable products for your particular lifestyle.

• Check for duplicate coverage

Duplicate cover does not mean duplicate pay-outs. Check your policy documents to ensure that the same assets are not insured under more than one policy.

• Investigate appliance warranties

Mechanical failure and breakdown are usually not covered under normal household policies. These costs can wreak havoc on a tight budget. Appliance warranties cover the repair (or replacement) of household items due to mechanical failure and can be extended to cover surge and lightning damage which may be exclusions on a standard contents policy.

• Consider cheaper premiums rather than a no claim bonus

Innovative insurance companies are able to offer different methods of saving. Although a no claim bonus may seem like a windfall – a monthly saving may make better fiscal sense. Use your broker or customer service agent to structure a flexible and versatile policy centred on your needs.

• Ensure that your insurance matches your assets

There is no need to insure average priced items at exorbitant replacement values. If you are over- or underinsured it will affect the value of the pay-out in the event of a claim. If you dispose of assets, don’t forget to advise your insurer to remove them from your cover.

• Ask questions

Read your policy documents before you put them in a file at the back of a cupboard. Make sure that you understand the fine print. Contact your broker or a customer service line if anything is unclear or confusing. After all, an insurance policy is simply a piece of paper with a promise – ensure that it’s a promise that protects your best interests.

What is Car Insurance Telematics and what can it do for you?

Also view:

Insurance Telematics and Road Safety

About Innovation Group

The Innovation Group plc (LSE: TIG.L) is a global provider of business process outsourcing and software solutions to the insurance, fleet, automotive and property industries. Innovation Group provides contact centers, repair ne2rks, process management, supply chain and technology operations and decision support analytics to support accident management, repair and estimation and claims management services. Innovation Group has over 800 global clients including AXA Insurance, RSA, Encompass, Hertz, CNA, Main Street America Group, American Modern Insurance Group, LeasePlan, The Ford Motor Company, Aviva, Toyota and Zurich. The Group processes more than 4 million claims per year with 20 per cent direct claims cost saving achieved. Innovation Group’s 2,300 people are located in the United Kingdom, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Spain and United States.

www.innovation-group.com

10 Tips to reduce the cost of Car Insurance Cover

Special caution required when planning the caravan holiday tips

Caravan holiday tips

Venturing out onto the open road in your home on wheels is one of life’s great but simple pleasures. If this is your first time on this new adventure, read these tips before heading out on your caravanning experience so you can be sure of a safe and enjoyable journey.

Planning your trip

With lots to think about prior to leaving for your caravanning holiday, the first and most important tip is to invest in planning ahead, particularly if you’re visiting a distant destination.

Research the area you’re visiting and identify the best caravan sites in which to spend your holiday. Make sure the road to your destination is suitable for your towing vehicle and caravan type; some sites may only be accessible to 4x4s. Knowing the area means being equipped to prepare for any specific conditions you are likely to encounter – for example, the weather, and the available facilities and amenities at the caravan site. Use the internet to assess locations on the basis of feedback from others who have visited your prospective sites – some places are better than others.

Joining a caravan club can be enormously helpful, particularly with tips on great places to go and what to take with. Social media provides the ability to very quickly connect with like-minded people and online forums can provide instant insight and feedback to help deal with any issues, concerns or questions.

Draw up a menu for all the meals you’ll be eating while you’re away. Then you’ll know which ingredients you’ll need to purchase (and which can be sourced on-site) as well as where best to store them – for example, in a cooler box or freezer.

Write a checklist during your planning phase so that you don’;t leave anything behind. Must-have items include a fire extinguisher and a fully-stocked first aid kit.

Entertainment

Every caravan will need some form of entertainment in order to keep the kids busy – especially if it rains.  Consider packing some board games or other forms of entertainment, such as a small portable TV. A good bet is to bring a games console or DVD player with you. A docking station for music ensures that you can enjoy your favourite tunes – but be aware of others around you.  

Towing tips

• Make sure your caravan windows are closed, doors locked and gas and electricity turned off before you drive off.


• Take utmost care in attaching the caravan to the tow ball, including fastening the safety chain connecting the electrical socket and, on braked caravans, disconnecting the handbrake.


• Check that the taillights and indicators are working on the caravan.


• Don’t exceed the maximum towing capacity of the towing vehicle.


• Equipment such as water, food, camping gear, etc. will generally add another 300kg to the weight of the empty caravan. Typically, you do not want to overload the caravan; where possible, equipment should be transported in your car. If some gear is in the caravan, make sure it is loaded in accordance with manufacturer recommendations.


• Make sure your towing vehicle can handle the weight of caravan, equipment and supplies.

Caravan insurance

Despite the best precautions, accidents can happen, so another essential task before setting out on holiday is getting the insurance up to date. Make sure you have the appropriate cover for your car and caravan so you can enjoy the open road secure in the knowledge that your home-away-from-home is protected from the unexpected.

Caravan insurance covers:

• Theft and hijack


• Fire and explosion


• Accidental damage


• Storm, hail, flood or snow


• Liabilities caused to other parties

Importantly, make sure your caravan policy covers contents and accessories as well as the caravan itself. After all, no caravanning holiday is complete without camping tables, chairs, tents cutlery and crockery, and a range of electronic devices and personal property. If it’s in the caravan, it should be covered by the insurance policy for complete peace of mind; note only caravan items (including permanent fixtures and accessories such as air-conditioning units, fitted canopies and awnings) will be covered under the caravan policy. Other items will be covered by MiMovables or All Risk cover.

Also, check that your chosen insurance policy offers roadside assistance and emergency services; after all, caravanning explicitly requires being out on the road.

[By: Rory Judd, MiWay Head of Online Marketing]

MiWay is an Authorised Financial Services Provider (Licence no: 33970)

MiWay Insurance Limited (‘MiWay’) is a direct, short-term insurance company, offering customers a range of short-term insurance products including motor, household and homeowners insurance as well as add-on products such as warranty cover and liability cover. MiWay’;s shareholder is Santam, a blue-chip JSE-listed company.

Also view: Towing a Trailer Safely

Special caution required when planning the caravan holiday tips

How to stay safe in the rain: Top tips for wet weather driving

While insurance helps sort out the aftermath, when it comes to car accidents, prevention is always far better than cure. When it rains, the chances of an accident increase owing to decreased visibility and slippery roads – and with most accidents caused by driver behaviour, how you drive has a direct influence on your safety and that of others.

That’s confirmed by the South African Insurance Association, which says motor insurance claims trends show that driver behaviour contributes to more than 60% of road accidents.

By taking extra care you can make your journey safer. Apply these tips to improve your wet weather driving skills.

Stay roadworthy

Make sure your headlights, taillights, brake lights and indicators are working properly. Check that your windscreen wipers are in good condition; replace the blades if frayed, brittle or damaged.  Brittle blades make a distinctive noise as they sweep across a dry or damp windscreen. And remember to turn on headlights in the rain to increase your chances of seeing and being seen in wet conditions.

Slow down

Driving to the conditions is essential – and when raining, wet roads mean slowing down and increasing following distances. If you encounter a sudden downpour, take your foot off the accelerator and let speed drop gradually. Never use the brakes suddenly, as this can cause the car to skid. Avoid making sudden lane changes, as this can increase the possibility of aquaplaning – when your tyres ‘float’ on a layer of water, breaking their contact with the road surface.

Mind the bends

Anticipation is key when approaching a bend, more so in the rain. Slow down before the corner and engage a lower gear, particularly with sharp bends. Your speed should be at its slowest as you enter the bend and both your hands should be on the steering wheel, with gentle acceleration through the curve. This slow in/fast out technique gives you most control.

It is also advisable to increase following distances from 2 seconds to 4 seconds.

Be careful of other vehicles to the rear and in blind spot areas as they are especially difficult to see through rain-spattered windows.

Middle of the road

Whenever possible, drive in the middle lane when it’;s raining. Water pools more in the outside lanes because of limited drainage, making the road surface more dangerous.

The deep end

Attempting to drive through deep water can cause damage to your vehicle’s electronics; it is also impossible to gauge just how deep a puddle is before you go through it. If you have to drive through a puddle, go especially slowly and turn around or reverse if the water reaches the bottom of your car doors. If your car gets submerged too deeply, the engine will stall and water might enter the engine through the air intake forcing you to replace it.

Never drive over bridges covered by moving water.

After the rain

When the rain has passed, make sure to test your brakes particularly if the downpour was heavy. Water can have a brief effect on disc brakes; braking a little (when safe to do so) quickly dispels water on the surface of the discs, allowing them to function as normal.

Finally, remember that rain does not cause car accidents – people diving in the rain do. By taking note of these easy tips, you can become a better wet weather driver, reducing the risk of accident to yourself, your family and other road users.

Also view:

Safe Driving in the Rain

Safe Driving in Bad Weather Conditions

For more information on car insurance, visit www.miway.co.za

MiWay is an Authorised Financial Services Provider (Licence no: 33970)

Insurance Limited (‘MiWay’) is a direct, short-term insurance company, offering customers a range of short-term insurance products including motor, household and homeowners insurance as well as add-on products such as warranty cover and liability cover. MiWay’;s shareholder is Santam, a blue-chip JSE-listed company.

How to stay safe in the rain: Top tips for wet weather driving

Tips for your pets to beat the heat

With Australia already experiencing warmer than usual weather this season, the indication is that it’s going to be a hot summer season. It’s crucial for individuals to keep safe in the heat, and it’s really important for our pets as nicely.

Pets are just as susceptible to heat-related illness as humans,” mentioned Dr David Neck from the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA). “Vets get many calls from concerned pet owners during heatwaves right after seeing worrying signs like lethargy, excessive panting or breathing troubles. In contrast to folks, who sweat by way of skin, pets cool off by way of the pads of their feet and tongues. They require to pant to regulate their temperature, and dogs and cats with long hair can be much more susceptible to the effects of heat,” he mentioned.

The AVA provides the following suggestions to aid your pets keep away from heat-associated complications this summer:

• Offer a beverage: Your pets need to stay hydrated, so make certain there is often a supply of cool, fresh water accessible. Try to guarantee that the water is kept in a shady region to lessen the heating and evaporation of the water. You may possibly want to leave out far more than one bowl each day, in case one is tipped more than or emptied.

• Maintain it cool. Several dogs (not quite as numerous cats) like swimming as significantly as we do, so if you have a child’s paddle pool or some other sort of big container, take into account filling it with a couple of inches of water and leaving it in a shady location. You could also place some ice cubes in your pet’s water bowl to support maintain the temperature down.

• Tasty treats. Feel about some pet-suitable food that could be frozen and provided to your pet throughout the heat of the day.

• Shady spots. Also make positive there are some shaded spots at all instances of day for your pets to shelter below. Keep in mind that places which are shaded when you leave house in the morning will not necessarily stay that way all day. You may possibly also want to take into account leaving a fan on in the course of the day, for a breeze.

• Exercise in cooler climate. Just as you possibly wouldn’t go for a run in the middle of the day, your pets genuinely shouldn’t either. Attempt to schedule physical exercise time in the early morning or late evening.

In addition to the above, also make sure you preserve an eye on your pets and be on the lookout for indicators of feasible heat stroke, such as lethargy, panting, vomiting, drooling, diarrhoea and fatigue. If in any doubt, see your vet.

Tips for your pets to beat the heat

How safe are your car’s tyres? MiWay offers a checklist for maintenance tips

Keeping safe on the road is not only about being an alert and cautious driver, it is also about making sure that your car is always in tip-top condition. An essential part of that is ensuring that your tyres are in a roadworthy condition – after all, the tyres are the point of contact between your vehicle and the road. Worn tyres reduce the performance of your car and low tread depths decrease the effectiveness of braking, steering, and even accelerating – all of which are important in staying safe on the road. Moreover, in wet weather, tread depth plays a crucial role in dispersing water to maintain a good grip.

Checklist for tyres

Tyres should be inspected on a regular basis. Here are some of the most important things to look out for:

• Check for punctures, penetrations, cuts and bulges.

• Cuts in the tyre could allow moisture to reach the casing plies. This is harmful for both textile and steel casings and will affect safety and tyre life.


• Uneven tyre wear is a sign that wheel alignment needs attention.


• Inner and outer edge wear. If both inner and outer edges are worn, it can suggest that the tyres have been run at a pressure which is too low at normal speeds.


• Irregular bald spot, also known as cupping – is usually caused by worn shock absorbers, a worn suspension, or even loose wheel bearings.


• Missing valve caps should be replaced, since they are there to prevent dirt from clogging the valves, which could cause loss in air pressure.


• Tighten wheel studs/nuts to the correct torque setting when mounting new tyres – also check for loose or missing wheel nuts.


• Check tread depth on all tyres and replace well before they reach the regulatory minimum depth of 1.00 mm.

Tyre pressure

Over or under inflation reduces the contact between the tyre and the road and also shortens the lifespan of your tyres. Make sure tyres are always inflated to the right pressure for your car. If you are not sure, check the Owner’s Manual or the display on the driver’s door side panel.

Don’t forget to also check that your spare wheel is in good shape, too, including a properly inflated tyre and that you have the correct tools to replace it. You never know when you might need it!

Maintaining your car’s tyres

• Make sure the size and speed/loading ratings of your tyres conform to the specifications in the Owner’s Manual.


• Check tyres and rims for any accidental damage after impacting with potholes/curb stones or other obstacles in the road.


• Be sure to have your tyres, brakes, shock absorbers and rims checked when servicing the car.


• Car wheel alignment should be tested at regular intervals to obtain even tread wear and maximise lifespan of tyres.

Safety tip: If a tyre bursts, do not apply the brakes, rather use the gears to slow down the car. A sudden change in direction or braking on a flat tyre can result in loss of control. Rather risk losing one wheel than damaging more of your car!

Spare wheel safety

Your spare wheel is only designed to be a temporary solution and should never be a permanent replacement for regular wheels.

Remember, the 4 tyres on your car are some of the most important components on the vehicle and the only point of contact between you and the road. Always refer to the owner’s manual for all tyre pressure specifications and other related information. If you suspect any damage to the tyres – consult a tyre expert!

For more information on car insurance, visit www.miway.co.za

[By Rory Judd, MiWay head of online marketing]

MiWay is an Authorised Financial Services Provider (Licence no: 33970)

 Road Safety and Tyre Safety

How safe are your car’s tyres? MiWay offers a checklist for maintenance tips

Anti-hijack Tips for Women’s Month from Ford

With a number of heartbreaking hijack stories making the news recently, the matter of driver skill and awareness has once again been given attention.

Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) has a team of certified professionals who train drivers around the country as part of its Driving Skills For Life (DSFL) programme. While many tertiary driving courses focus on performance dynamics at race tracks, the DSFL instructors impart invaluable knowledge for everyday driving scenarios.

These include training on conserving fuel through smarter driving, advice on how to better read the flow of traffic, and other, practical money-saving tips. DSFL also focusses extensively on safety. This involves not only collision avoidance techniques, but also pointers for driver awareness in situations such as hijackings.

“It’s no secret that women are easy targets when driving alone, however these tips apply to all drivers,” says Maja Smith, Product Communications Manager at FMCSA. “Recent events in the news have highlighted the importance of equipping drivers with the requisite skills.”

Some useful tips that you can follow include:

• Remaining alert to surroundings at all times – especially at intersections and in suburbs


• Being on the lookout for suspicious activities and vehicles


• Preparing to take evasive action


• Maintaining ample following distances


• Allowing for escape routes

DSFL instructors also have information for drivers who find themselves in dangerous situations involving a hijacker:

• Remain calm


• Do not make sudden gestures


• Avoid eye contact – except to identify


• Comply with hijacker’s demands


• Assist children to get out of the vehicle


• Move away slowly

For more information on Driving Skills for Life visit www.ford.co.za

Also view:

Hijack Prevention Guidelines

Anti-hijack Tips for Women’s Month from Ford

Tips for drivers hitting foreign roads

2/6/14

By Will Roberts

Motorists are being urged to take a couple of basic precautions to defend themselves and other people on foreign roads this summer season.

Thousands of Brits will be driving their vehicles abroad this summer time, but there are additional considerations which need to have to be taken into account, according to driver coaching specialist the Institute of Sophisticated Motorists (IAM).

The IAM’;s Drive & Survive series delivers motoring ideas to drivers and its education manager, Simon Elstow, said there are a quantity of issues which people must be aware of ahead of getting behind the wheel abroad.

Mr Elstow mentioned it is essential to verify your vehicle prior to travelling.

Foreign roads

This means placing it in for a service if needed and checking items like tyre stress and tread and topping up oil and coolant.

Further miles also mean added put on and tear, so it is essential you check things like tyres, windscreens, mirrors and lights both just before and each and every day in the course of your trip.

Foreign roads need to have the driver to concentrate far more than UK roads.

You will be driving on the appropriate hand side of the road, so drivers and passengers need to remind each and every other of this every single time they set out in the car.

Things to pack

If driving for any length of time, comfort breaks need to be taken every single couple of hours to hold drivers feeling refreshed.

Every person who is planning on driving abroad wants to pack their licence, driving licence counterpart, vehicle registration document (V5), insurance certificate and passports (for those travelling).

The automobile itself need to be fitted with a GB sticker, though 1 is not required if the car’;s number plate has the GB euro-symbol.

The headlights also want to be fitted with stickers to adjust the beam direction so oncoming drivers are not dazzled.

Driving laws

There are also other legal needs.

In France, by law you need to carry a breathalyser, although several European countries demand automobiles to have reflective jackets and warning triangles.

Mr Elstow said: “If you happen to be preparing to drive in Europe, you will need to have to be aware that driving laws and regulations differ from country to nation.

“Even if you are organizing to merely pass through a country, you will require to be aware of their regulations for touring drivers. Program and prepare for your trip abroad and get up to speed with the neighborhood guidelines of the road.”

Tips for drivers hitting foreign roads