The annual Kinsey report by Malcolm Kinsey provides an overview of the South African motor vehicle industry, with a focus on the cost of parts for different vehicle models. The latest 2016 report covers 69 vehicles, compares the costs of various parts against competing models, and highlights price increases of parts such as wheel rims, car doors and lights, which are all found in the crash-parts category. 

“From the various costs presented in the report, one can see that not having Car Insurance could lead to significant costs for consumers should they be involved in an accident,” says Derek Wilson, head of online insurance and financial comparison website, Hippo.co.za.  

“If you drive an entry-level city vehicle, for example, a VW Polo Vivo, you could pay up to R14 682 if you have damages to your doors and rear fender following a collision into the right-hand side of your vehicle,” says Wilson, “It could be easier and more cost-effective to simply pay a monthly Car Insurance premium than having to replace parts out of your own pocket following a claimable event”. 

But did you know with just a few simple steps, you can also lower your monthly Car Insurance premiums and save even more? 

Hippo.co.za provides these hacks that could help you save: 

• Insurers are often able to adjust premiums based on lower or higher excesses (the first amount payable by the insured in the event of a claim). If you have sufficient means to pay a higher excess should something happen, you can opt to increase your excess which will lower your monthly premiums.
• Insurers encourage people to cover their goods at the replacement value it would be at the time of a claim, which can be either market or retail value depending on what cover you have. As the market value of a vehicle is lower than the retail value, you could opt to insure your vehicle at market value in order to save on monthly premium costs.
• If you have installed better security features such as a vehicle tracker or alarm system in your car or, for example, you no longer park your car in a car port behind locked gates but in a locked garage, always inform your insurer of these updates as it could lower your premiums.
• Even if you are not looking to change insurers, it always pays to double check that you are not paying too much. Shop around and compare quotes from at least three different Car Insurance providers to ensure you are getting the best value for your buck. 

According to the eNatis national driver’s licence population statistics, the number of Code B licensed drivers (driving motor vehicles, including minibuses, buses and goods vehicles, with a gross vehicle mass not exceeding 3 500kg) has increased by 10 631 between December 2016 and January 2017. Even with a significant increase in licensed drivers in just one month, there is still a vast number of South Africans who do not pass the driver’s licence test the first time.  

So what are the main reasons for people failing their driver’s licence test?  

“Many people do not research the driving school or instructor beforehand, are unfamiliar with important driver’s test rules and scoring, experience the test route for the first time when taking the test, or are simply too nervous on the day,” says Derek Wilson, Head of online insurance and financial services comparison website, Hippo.co.za, “These and other factors could be demotivating and costly to drivers”.  

Tips to consider if you plan on getting your licence in 2017:  

• Pick the right teacher — Do your research and ask around to get reviews from others to ensure you have a legitimate, ethical and experienced driving school and instructor.
• Know the rules — Avoid disappointment by familiarising yourself with the immediate fail items (on the K53 website) so that you do not fall victim to unfair failures. If, for example, the vehicle is not licensed or roadworthy, it is considered an immediate fail.
• Don’t rush it — Ensure that you complete a sufficient number of lessons and can successfully complete all the manoeuvres before you even book your test date.
• Practice makes perfect — Keep practising until the test day arrives and ask your driving instructor to take you for a trial on the test route and in the test yard two or three days before your test.
• Stay relaxed and focused — Mentally reassure and remind yourself that you have done it all before and that you can do what is required. Try not to rush things and rather take your time to do it properly.  

“For those who will also be driving their own car once they are legally licensed drivers, remember that insurers factor in how long you have had your licence when calculating your monthly premium. As a newly licensed driver, you will likely be charged a higher premium than someone who has been driving for longer. Ensure you compare from a range of South African providers at Hippo.co.za,” concludes Wilson, “You could save hundreds of Rands per month* on your Car Insurance alone by using our platform”.

Notes:

Established in 2007, Hippo.co.za is South Africa’s leading comparison website that helps consumers save money by comparing a range of South African providers across financial products such as Car Insurance, Household Insurance, Life Insurance, Medical Aid and more. Hippo.co.za is free to use and saves consumers the time and hassle of shopping around for the best deal since the Hippo.co.za website instantly retrieves real-time quotes from the different providers using the latest Internet technology. You could save hundreds of Rands per month* on your Car Insurance alone by using Hippo.co.za to compare before you buy or switch to a new provider.   Hippo.co.za makes money by simply charging its partners a fee when a customer chooses to find out more about their products. The results consumers see, and the order in which they are presented, are in no way influenced by the fee Hippo.co.za charges its partners or any other factors other than the price of the product being compared.   

For more information, visit us on www.hippo.co.za, connect with Hippo.co.za on LinkedIn, http://www.linkedin.com/company/hippo-comparative-services-pty-ltd/, like us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/HippoSA, and follow us on Twitter, @Hippo_co_za and YouTube, http://www.youtube.com/user/hippocompare. Hippo Comparative Services (Pty) Ltd is an authorised financial services provider (FSP number: 16357). Terms and Conditions apply. *Based on 2016 independent market research conducted by Kaufman Levin Associates.

 

The launch was attended by various members of the industry, friends, clients and the Overseas TT Revival Factory Suzuki Squad of Mick Grant, Tepi Lansivouri as well as factory technician Paul Bolton & multiple British Super Bike Champion, Isle of Man winner, Ian Simpson.

Hamptons have an impressive range of old SA favourite classics from Lawson Replica’s, Honda RC’s, Katana’s, Red Hunters and even quite a number of modern bikes as well. They offer the classic motorcycle market a place where they can display and sell their motorcycles in a safe and knowledgeable environment and a destination where enthusiasts can meet and catch up.

Hamptons are also the only dealership in the country from which insurance companies will accept their insurance valuation certificates from an insurance coverage perspective.

For more information call Gavin or Ian on 011 463 2160, or visit the showroom at 5 Main Rd, Bryanston, Johannesburg.

{pp}Proactively managing your personal insurance is one way that you can ensure that you are receiving the best possible cover…AA Insurance tells you what to look out for.