Did you know that there are sure-fire ways keep your car safe AND save money on your car insurance? And you may be surprised at how simple they really are. Let’s find out!
There are so many fantastic things we could tell you about South Africa. The sun, the sea, the people. We don’t like to bring up the doom and gloom aspect of our country because 1) we’re all sick and tired of it and 2) this country has so much more to offer.
That being said, we’re in the insurance game. And that means we understand how crime happens, when it happens and who it usually happens to. It’s a simple, scary reality that we wouldn’t be able to avoid if we tried.
Or can we?
The sort-of-upside of living in a country that has a lot of vehicle theft and hijackings is that you become more aware of your surroundings. You tend to never let your guard down and you take good care of your possessions. Cause let’s face it, crime happens all around the world. But not everybody is prepared for when it happens.
But what does this have to do with car insurance? Well, a whole lot actually. Because we can’t have eyes and ears on every car that we insure, we rely on our clients to keep their vehicles as secure as they can. They don’t just do this for our sake – we reward our clients for being a little more vigilant with their vehicles.
The more secure your car is, the lower your premiums are going to be. It’s as simple as that. Let’s dive into how if you keep your car safe, you can save money in a serious way.
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How does where you park keep your car safe?
When you’re not around, your car is almost free for the taking. Even if you have an alarm system installed, understand that car thieves are professionals at what they do. They know the easiest street corners to target, how to disable alarm systems and how to get away at lightning speed.
Your job is to make it as difficult as possible for somebody to steal your car and one of the best ways to keep your car safe is by parking it in a secure area.
When you apply for insurance, they will ask you about where you park your car on a regular basis. From here they can determine how likely it is that your car could be stolen. This will depend on the number of thefts that happen in the area as well as how secure your car is when it’s parked. Your insurer will ask you certain details about where you park your car like:
- Is it in a locked garage?
- Are you in a gated community?
- Are you parked in a parking garage monitored with a CCTV camera and a security company?
- Is your parking area surrounded by fences/walls?
- Do you park in a public street?
- Is your car parked beneath a cover or underneath a carport?
All of these points will help your insurer to determine how safe your car is when it is parked. And the safer your car, the lower your premiums could be!
It isn’t just about theft!
Remember, your insurer is not only wanting you to keep your car safe from being stolen. They’re also thinking about environmental factors that could damage your car. Having your car parked in a garage or parking lot prevents damage from things like falling trees, hail damage and vandalism.
What if I don’t have a garage?
We get it, you aren’t going to build an entire garage just to lower your insurance premiums. So here are some other tips to keep your car safe to avoid claiming for theft or related criminal activity:
- Opt for paid parking lots when and where you can.
- Choose parking lots with security on the site and restricted entry.
- Park in a well-lit area. This protects your car and you when you’re walking to and from your car at night.
- Before somebody breaks into your car, they’re going to try and see what’s inside. Don’t even put the temptation there. Remove all valuables and anything that could look worth stealing.
Read this next: Here’s What You Need To Know About Car Hijacking In SA
Chat to your insurer about discounts and lower premiums
At Oneplan, we’re always here to help. If anything ever changes about your car parking situation, let us know! If your car is in a safer environment than it usually is, we can probably work out a discount on your premiums for you.
The same goes for if you’re working from home and driving your car less (ah, the joys of remote working). Keep your car safe and save some extra money every month with reduced premiums!
Chat to somebody from our team here.
Yours in flexible car insurance,
Oneplan
