Insurance South Africa
 

Hi everyone, we've just shipped a 4X4 into Cape Town and are struggling to get insurance here. It's not a legal requirement and we are only here for 14 days before getting into Namibia, however would still be good to have for obvious reasons. Any ideas or companies recommended would be appreciated.

Thanks Ed.

In SA (and Nambia) mandatory third party insurance paid for by all road users via a fuel levy (ie you already have it). It covers third party damage to human beings up to a certain financial limit but not damage to property ie it won't provide cover if you damage another car ... so watch those mercs and beamers and give them a wide berth.

I assume your vehicle is foreign registered in which case you won't be able to get more extensive cover in SA, or indeed in many (any?) other countries. If you want comprehensive insurance you need to get cover before you set out from Europe - it's hard to find and fairly expensive but possible.

The consequences of an accident in most parts of Africa aren't covered by any local insurance. The compulsory cover you get at borders is unlikely to be worth anything as the limits on cover are so low. And that's assuming you can get as far as processing a claim. No real option but to drive carefully I'm afraid.

we only bought insurance in Botswana (at the border, few $) and Mozambique (reasonable price, 15$ for 3 months or something). For the rest, we faked it all for the police.

Thanks
 

Thanks guys, we've made it Nairobi safe and sound by buying strange bits of insurance here and there and thanks for clearing up the fuel levy that was confusing but not a bad idea for an African country! Cheers Ed

Hi Edward,
I was just about to post about insurance also, as my truck is in Namibia and I’m planning to travel to Zambia, Botswana, Mozambique and down to ZAR.
Which route did you take? Any further info on the insurance, or did you just buy at the border?

Cheers, Ib.

Buy it at the Bots or Zam border, then get yourself a COMESA at an insurance agent at the next large town to cover you for other countries (although they don't always accept it....).
When are you travelling? We'll be leaving Windhoek with our truck in the next 2 weeks or so heading towards Maun, Kasane, Zim, Zam, Malawi.

Ian

Hi French,
Bummer, I will not be down there until mid Aug....but I'll follow approx the same route as you, so maybe we'll meet somewhere....I'm in a white Landy 110, on Australian plates...

Cheers, Ib.

Hi Viking.
We will be rolling out of Cape Town around the 10th August in a silver Landy 110 on Australian Plates :thumbup1:
Heading to Europe via the eastern route. Might see you on the road :eek3:

Shaz & Frank

Hi MTB and Ian,

Picking up the truck from Swakopmund on the 13th of Aug, then heading up to the Angolan border, following this east to Botswana…..planning to spend some time in BOT and Zambia, maybe all the way up to Malawi.
Very loose plans, I’ll just go with the flow. Might take the truck back to Namibia for storage again, or maybe down to CT. Do you post anywhere on a blog/website?

Cheers, Ib.

Viking

Yes, we will try and keep this blog up to date - http://shazandfrank.wordpress.com/
The rough plan it to exit North Africa (somewhere / anywhere) by end of March or April.

Shaz & Frank

Zurich is the only insurance company we've found offering insurance to foreign vehicles in the RSA. I got insured on UK plates. Contact via a local broker.

Insurance is optional and public liability is already covered by the "road accident fund" fuel levy.

I would try to get the Tuffstuff insurance, they will also flight in a mechanic if neccessary..

I try everything, and it dont worked for me (just local registered cars. But you find also Blogs where the travellers was able to use tuffstuff)

Here you find some stuff about the topic.

Surfy