Currently, we’re all looking for the cheapest car and home insurance available. We all want cover but we don’t want to (or can’t) pay too much for it. So, what happens is that we tend to compare the cost of policies more than the actual details of the cover itself. But there’s something to be said for the additional value of assist services that are often included with your policy.
We’d argue that you should also review the extras you get with your policy that are geared to help you out of tough spots. We’re talking about the emergency assist services, like an ambulance that’s sent to take you to hospital after a serious car accident. This kind of help could save your life.
To help you, we’ve broken down the most popular emergency assist services and even given them a rating.
Roadside assistance benefit
Generally speaking, this benefit is included with comprehensive car insurance policies (although some insurers include it with their home insurance too) and is intended to lend you a helping hand with a number of issues that you could experience on the road. As long as that road falls within South African borders. Also, the number of incidents that you can request help with will depend on the insurer, so make sure to check this out.
Examples of how this benefit could help:
- Cover for the cost of sending out a locksmith if your keys are locked in your car.
- Delivery of a few litres of fuel to get you moving after you’ve run out (usually charged at a small extra cost to you).
- If you have a flat battery, help is sent to jump-start your car.
- If your car breaks down 100km from home, cover for accommodation for the night or a taxi service is provided (up to a set amount).
Our rating: 8/10 because these kinds of issues can be a real pain and put you in a vulnerable position, like being stranded on the side of the road with no one to help you jump-start your car.
Accident assistance benefit
Accidents happen and when they do, you’ll want all the help you can get. While the specifics differ between insurance companies, this benefit generally allows you to call on your insurer to arrange for your car to be towed to their preferred place of repair and arrange for transport home or place of work for you, the driver, and passengers.
Our rating: 7/10 because an accident puts you in a very stressful situation where you need more assistance than you might have the presence of mind to organise for yourself at the time.
Home assistance benefit
This benefit is typically included with home contents or buildings insurance policies. The specifics differ between insurance companies, but you’ll usually find that there are limits included with a benefit like this. For example, you could be limited to 3 incidents per year, per insured address that’s noted on your policy schedule.
What’s generally included is cover for the cost of the call-out fee plus 1 hour’s labour for the services of plumbers, electricians, and locksmiths. It doesn’t cover any materials used to fix the problem, mind you.
Our rating: 6/10 because these incidents are more inconvenient than dangerous or life-threatening, and often we don’t have the bucks to pay for the plumber’s call-out fee on top of whatever else they have to do. So it’s cool to have, but maybe it’s not as necessary.
Medical assistance benefit
Medical assistance after an accident can mean the difference between life and death. Some accidents can be so traumatic that it requires immediate medical attention, which means that you need to be taken to where that attention can be provided. That’s what this benefit does. It arranges for transport to where you need to be treated and saved.
Examples of how this benefit could help:
- Cover for the cost of an emergency transfer to the nearest hospital.
- Cover for the cost of transferring you to a different hospital if medically required.
- Cover for the cost of transporting you to a hospital closer to home, if the current hospital doesn’t have the facilities to do so (usually within 24 hours of the accident occurring).
Our rating: 10/10 because seriously, this kind of assistance could save your life and if it’s included with the policy that you’re reviewing, then we’d put a big tick in that policy’s pro column. We’d even argue that it’s worth paying a few extra Rands to include this benefit with your policy so that you have that added peace of mind.
Now here’s a quick word about the cost of these benefits. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. The actual details and requirements of having these benefits attached to your policy does depend on the insurance company you’re reviewing. For example, some insurers include their assist services with their policies at no additional charge. Of course, what this often means is that the cost of each benefit is built into the price of the policy.
We hope our little rating system will help you choose the cover that’ll truly be there for you when life takes a bit of a wrong turn. And if you’re still trying to find cheaper car and home insurance, then check out this insurance company here. They even offer decreasing car insurance premiums, so your premium gets cheaper and cheaper every month.
Posted in partnership with King Price Insurance
