According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation’s Easter 2016 Crash Report, during last year’s Easter weekend 197 fatal motor accidents were reported nationally with the total number of accidents being much higher. The majority of fatal crashes in Gauteng, KwaZulu–Natal, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, North West and the Northern Cape were pedestrian related. Overtaking related fatal crashes were predominant in Mpumalanga and Limpopo, while in the Free State the leading cause of fatal car crashes was poor visibility and failure to maintain a safe following distance.
“After a car accident, you must stop your vehicle on the side of the road, call for help if anyone has been injured and collect the following information: time, location, vehicle make, model and registration number, contact details of drivers and their insurance details. Contact your insurance helpline for accident and medical assistance; follow their guidance as far as possible. Only release your vehicle to the tow contractor sent by your insurer as failure to do this may lead to costs that your insurer will not pay,” said Colin Mchunu, Senior Manager at Alexander Forbes Insurance Company Limited.
Mchunu says while most consumers have excesses on their car policies, few understand how access works.
“An Excess is an amount payable by you in the event of an accident, it can also be referred to as the uninsured part of your claim.”
According to Mchunu, the excess may be calculated on the following features:
1. The driver is young – usually under 21 years of age
2. You have claimed in the past year
3. The accident occurred late at night or early in the morning
4. You are categorised as a high-risk profile
5. You took additional voluntary excess to reduce your premiums
It is important that you check your policy schedule to see what your excesses are and be aware that they often accumulate.
Mchunu explains that even if the accident is not your fault you most likely will be responsible for paying the excess. “If your insurer recovers the money from the person who caused the accident, then you should be repaid your excess.”
“Keep your insurance policy number and contact details handy and review your policy regularly to make certain that you have the necessary cover and any changes that are required have been made,” concluded Mchunu.
“Alexander Forbes Insurance Company Limited (1976/001547/06is an authorised Financial Services Provider (FSP30414) under the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act 37 of 2002 (the Act)”.This information is not advice, as defined in the Act.
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