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Your insurance premium is calculated by taking several factors into account and each insurer places their own significance on each of these factors, which will result in varying pricing.
In most cases your cars insurance premium will decrease as the car gets older, but this might not always be the case as inflation could have an adverse effect and negate any savings.
Insurance premiums tend to increase in line with inflation and it is expected that inflation will remain at approximately 7% for the next few months.
These increases in your insurance premium are due to the fact that even though your cars value may decrease over time, the cost of repairing your car should you be involved in an accident increases over time. This is due to fact that the cost of paint, parts and labour will continue to increase with inflation as these costs are market related and not linked to the age of your car.
Insurers report that most claims are generally as a result of accident damage and as a result a greater portion of your premium goes towards the risk associated with accident damage.
The easiest way to save on insurance is to shop around and get comparative quotes. Your insurance premium is calculated by taking several factors into account and each insurer places their own significance on each of these factors, which will result in varying pricing. The following advice can ensure you pay the best premium possible.
The excess is the contribution that you will need to pay when claiming from your insurance. A lower excess will result in higher premiums and a higher excess in lower premiums, so it is a decision you need to make based on your personal situation. If you do opt for a higher excess in order to save on your monthly premiums it is important to make sure that you will be able to cover the amount, should you need to claim for loss or damage.
When calculating your insurance premium, insurers will look at how often you have claimed in the past. Motorists who haven’t been in any accidents or who don't claim regularly will enjoy the benefit of lower premiums.
Comprehensive insurance covers your vehicle for all kinds of damage including fire, theft, hijacking, natural disasters or an accident with another vehicle regardless of who is at fault. If your car is financed, most banks will require that the vehicle be comprehensively insured. Due to the scope of coverage, comprehensive insurance is the most expensive form of insurance.
The premiums of high-end luxurious vehicles as well as vehicles that are sold in limited quantities, such as special edition models will be more expensive since it will be significantly more expensive to repair or replace these types of cars if they are damaged or stolen.
Where you live and work will influence your insurance premium. For example, if you live in a high-risk area, your insurance premiums will be higher. Transversely if you live in a regular neighbourhood, park your car in a locked garage and have security features such as an alarm or tracker, your insurance premiums will be lower.
When calculating risk and your premium insurers will also consider things like your age and gender as well as how the car is used. Coverage for men as well as using a car for business will be more expensive as insurers see this as a greater risk.
Pre-owned cars or demo models still represent a significant cost saving, even those that are as little as a year old. These pre-owned cars and demo models are often in an almost new condition and benefit from lengthy aftersales warranties and service plans.
Buying a new or pre-owned car is a big commitment but proper planning can ensure that you get the car you can afford while minimising the risk.
With a large variety of cars available in both the new and used market it can be difficult to find the one that is right for you. It is therefore very important to carefully calculate exactly how much you are prepared to spend on a car and to be realistic about what you can afford.
Tools like affordability and repayment calculators are a big help in this regard. It is also important to factor in other expenses such as fuel, insurance and maintenance in order to make sure that you do not over extend your budget. Ensure that you factor in some leeway for costs that may change over time such as rising fuel prices, interest rate increases, and other unexpected costs associated with driving.
Recent global stock shortages due to a variety of reasons in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to a narrowing of the price difference between new and used cars. In a classic case of supply and demand many dealerships increased the prices of pre-owned models and inadvertently caused market wide increases. Motorists need to be careful of paying too much, because the bubble will burst at some stage and when it comes to resell, the deficit between what you paid and what you are offered could be substantially larger than normal.
It is therefore important to shop around and do your research to ensure that you are getting a good deal now as well as a deal that makes sense in the long run.
Despite this unfortunate price volatility, pre-owned cars still offer several benefits. Pre-owned cars or demo models still represent a significant cost saving, even those that are as little as a year old. These pre-owned cars and demo models are often in an almost new condition and benefit from lengthy aftersales warranties and service plans.
Pre-owned cars offered by reputable dealerships such as those in the Motus network are very often sold with added benefits such as extended aftersales plans and guarantees and will be subjected to thorough checks by certified workshop technicians before they are offered for sale.
Pre-owned vehicles are less affected by depreciation than new cars and when buying a pre-owned car, you are starting off from a lower initial outlay and the effects of the depreciation will be less severe on your wallet.
While there is some risk involved with purchasing pre-owned vehicles, this can be mitigated by shopping smartly such as by only considering vehicles with a full service history or getting the vehicle independently inspected by experts.
It is also always safer to do business with reputable dealers, such as those that form part of the extensive Motus network, who will go out of their way to protect their reputation by offering quality products and exceptional customer service.
It’s funny how love works! Imagining your ideal partner will have a certain hair colour, be a certain height or body shape – only to find the person you fall in love with has completely different attributes!
The same thing goes for finding your ideal car. You may have imagined a red convertible as the love of your life, but if you had to buy one, would the relationship last?
There are many aspects to consider when purchasing a vehicle, and one of the most important is choosing one that your budget will love. Especially now as we find ourselves in uncertain times and economic restraints.
In the excitement of falling in love and shopping for a new car, many people forget about this especially important thing! It's amazing how few take the time to actually figure out what they can comfortably afford.
Here are 5 important tips to consider before you buy your next car:
Before you start researching the latest models and test-driving vehicles, you first need to determine your budget and how you’ll pay for your new car.
Look at your recent bank statement and monthly bills to determine your budget. Add the trade-in value of your current vehicle to this budget — you can use this to make a larger deposit that will lower your monthly payment and interest.
The cost of purchasing a vehicle is more than just the price of the car itself, so make sure to plan for additional expenses such as the registration fee or add-ons you might want such as an extended warranty, as well as the monthly running costs like fuel and insurance.
Establish what you are willing and able to pay using our finance calculator.
Once you have figured out how much you can comfortably spend on your car, it is a good idea to assess what you want and need at this stage of your life. A single person in their twenties will have a vastly different checklist than that of a family of five.
Make a list of non-negotiables such as vehicle size, safety features and fuel economy to determine what kind of vehicle will best satisfy your needs. Then list everything you want but do not necessarily need, like technology, colour preference, conveniences, and style. Keep this list in mind when researching specific models.
Once you know what you need, you can choose the exact brand and model that best meets your requirements. Compare listings online to find vehicles that come with the specs you are looking for. Take a look at used and demo options before deciding what will be best for you.
Take your top two or three choices for a test drive. Pay attention to the car’s acceleration, comfort, and handling. This is also a great time to ask any questions you may have about the engineering or functionality of the vehicle.
You have found one or two cars you love, and you’re almost ready to make your decision. But before you sign the paperwork, make sure your budget will love it too by taking into consideration the ongoing costs. For example, some models have parts that cost more to repair, which means your maintenance costs will be higher. Others are not so efficient on fuel which will cost you more every time you fill up and some have a higher insurance price tag. Make sure you can afford the car you choose throughout its lifetime.
We would all like to pay cash for our new car , but most of us cannot afford it, so we have to finance the purchase of our car. Make sure that you shop around. Try and choose a short-term repayment plan with the lowest interest rate possible. Be wary of balloon payments, as they can make repayments seem small, but could leave you still owing quite a sizeable amount on your car by the end of your term. Try to make as big a deposit as you can (ideally anything from 10% to 20% of the purchase price), as this will help lower your monthly instalments.
If your battery is running out of time or you can’t remember when it was last replaced, it is a good idea to have it checked to ascertain if it still has some life left in it. Most battery retailers will perform this check free of charge.
Winter is not a great time for your car battery and if it is not in a good condition, it will probably fail during these colder months.
A vehicle’s engine requires more power to start when it is cold and at the same time the colder temperatures make it more difficult for a car battery to provide the power that it normally does.
Getting stranded with a flat battery is more serious than in years gone by. Cars these days are equipped with a myriad of electronics that all rely on the correct battery voltage to perform optimally. Automatic gearboxes found in most cars these days also mean that it is not possible to push start your car and sensitive electronics can be damaged by jump-starting vehicles incorrectly.
“In normal circumstances a car battery needs to be changed approximately every three years. With many people driving less or infrequently due to the on-going work-from-home trend, the normal three-year lifespan could be considerably shorter,” says the CEO of Motus Retail and Rental SA, Corné Venter.
As batteries get older they require a longer running time to fully recharge after the heavy load of starting a vehicle, so if you generally only travel short distances the battery will not have enough time to sufficiently recharge.
If your battery is running out of time or you can’t remember when it was last replaced, it is a good idea to have it checked to ascertain if it still has some life left in it. Most battery retailers will perform this check free of charge.
1. Keeping your car warm by parking it under cover or in a garage will lessen the strain on the battery as you try and start your car on cold mornings.
2. If your car is struggling to start, don't keep cranking it over for long periods of time. Rather take a break of a few minutes between starting attempts.
3. Ensure that all ancillaries including the lights, radio and heater are turned off to free up extra power for the starting process.
4. A well-serviced vehicle will start easier. Ensure that your vehicle is maintained and that the engine oil and belts are replaced in line with the manufacturers recommendations. A well-maintained car will place less strain on the battery, as the vehicle will start easily, no matter the temperature.
Find your nearest Motus dealer, and book a service here.
The best practice is to rather be safe than sorry, do an extra circle around the block or ask someone for assistance rather than regret it.
While nobody wants to be in a hijacking situation, it is an unfortunately a very real threat for motorists in South Africa.
Recent crime statistics reveal that the amount of hijacking has increased by 3.5% quarter on quarter.
In the light of this, drivers need to increase their awareness and do whatever they can to prevent it from happening.
The following tips and rules can go a long way in keeping you safe:
If you are travelling from a shopping centre or airport and are being followed, do not turn into your driveway. Rather drive to a safe place such as a petrol station or the nearest police station.
If you are a client of such a company it is a good idea to make use of this service.
Tip: The best practice is to rather be safe than sorry, do an extra circle around the block or ask someone for assistance rather than regret it.
These tips can go a long way to help you be aware of your surroundings and to protect yourself as far as possible, but it is not always preventable. Drivers should learn what they should do to increase their chances to safely remove themselves from that situation:
