We’re all going on a summer holiday – make sure you pack your sunscreen and that your car cover is up to date!
It’s that time of year again – the time that you pack your boot, put together some healthy padkos and off you go.
But amidst your enviable lists, groceries and travel itinerary, are you sure you’ve remembered everything? If you feel like you’re forgetting something, may we suggest that it may be car insurance?
Now, car insurance isn’t just for the holidays. Everyday car owners need car cover to keep themselves and their vehicles safe on the road. When you’re going on a holiday, however, it’s important that you triple check your car insurance is up to date, comprehensive and ready to go where you go.
Discover: How to Drive Safely During a Summer Storm: 8 Helpful Tips
Why do I need car cover during the holidays?
When you’re on holiday or preparing for a holiday, you have better things to spend your money on than car issues. There are presents to pay for, sights to see and family to feed.
December is one of the most dangerous times to be on the road. With heavy traffic coming in from all over the province and criminal drunk drivers, you are more at risk of being in an accident during the holiday peak season than at any other time of the year.
If you’re driving along singing to your favourite summer tunes and crash into somebody, you can kiss your holiday cash goodbye. Depending on the severity of the accident, you could be paying the panel beater anywhere between R5 000 and R50 000.
Or, worst-case scenario, you could be paying for a whole new vehicle if your car gets written off.
Accidents are something you need to worry about, but that’s not all. Theft becomes an issue towards the end of the year. People are hoping to make extra money to keep up with the festive season, and the relaxed, crowded setting of the holidays makes it easier for criminals to strike.
Read next: Road trip tips: What to do if your car breaks down en-route to your holiday destination
What if my budget is tight?
There’s a dangerous misconception that if money is tight, it’s okay to let car cover fall to the wayside. Of all the things to cut down on, car insurance is not one of them.
If your budget is feeling a little tighter towards the end of the year, why not change your excess? This option is unique to Oneplan members and is especially helpful in times of uncertainty.
Controlling your excess ultimately means controlling your premiums. If you want to pay less for your car insurance over the next few months, you could opt for a higher excess if you’re involved in an accident.
Alternatively, if you prefer predictable monthly costs and want to avoid a large unexpected payment after an accident, you can choose higher premiums with a lower excess.
There are plenty of ways to save money on your car insurance without cancelling it, and Oneplan does everything possible to keep you covered and protected.
Why Oneplan?
On-the-go insurance
Another thing to add to your holiday checklist is on-the-go insurance. If you’re taking valuables with you such as camping equipment, expensive cameras or cell phones, you’ll want to protect them.
On-the-go insurance allows you to cover valuable items whenever they leave the safety of your home, giving you peace of mind while you travel.
Items that can be covered include:
- Laptops
- Handbags
- Cameras
- Wheelchairs
- Prams
- GPS devices
- Gaming consoles and accessories
Pause your cover
While it’s not recommended to pause cover when travelling long distances, if you ever need to take a break, you can pause your cover directly through the Oneplan App.
When you’re ready, you can resume your policy right where you left off with no re-joining fees. This also avoids having a cancelled policy on your insurance record, which could increase premiums later.
No vehicle inspections
Oneplan does not require vehicle inspections when you sign up for car cover. Instead of driving to an insurer, you simply upload a few photos of your car through the app to activate your policy.
Happy holidays from the Oneplan family. Travel safely and enjoy every moment of your trip.
Read next: Do You Need a Car Tracker? Putting your vehicle on the map
Yours in comprehensive car insurance,
Oneplan
