Insurance in South Africa?
 

Twice crossed the border and nobody has mentioned it - do you have to have it and how do you buy it (for a UK landy etc)??

Going to be in southern Africa for quite a while....

If you're talking 3rd party insurance, it's included in the fuel price to force everyone to have it, so you don't need extra.

If you're talking comprehensive... still don't need it, but probably a good idea. You can email Neil [neil@amucus.co.za] who specializes in 4x4 insurance. They will cover you anywhere up to Kenya normally.

Sorry, yes, just 3rd party.

A few people have told me that but I haven't been able to get any confirmation of it - and a few have suggested that it only provides compensation for medical costs.

I asked at an AA shop and they said none available for tourists (and to drive very carefully which is hard because so far SA's all seem to drive they are in a rally).

Replies from overland.co.za:

"The Third Party insurance that forms part of the fuel price only covers personal injury, hospitalisation, loss of earnings, costs of rehab etc. Foreigners are covered, but there is a bill in parliament (not yet law) to severely limit the coverage and to exclude foreigners from claiming. A serious fight between government and personal injury lawyers is still going on.

Damage to vehicles or property is not covered and one needs to get your own private insurance from an insurance company. A cheaper option is to get cover for "balance of third party", this will cover you against claims if you cause damage to other vehicles, but it will not cover the damage to your own vehicle."

"Basic 3rd party is covered, the legal minimum, but does not cover property belonging to 3rd parties."

OK, so here is the more detailed explanation:

In the good old days you had to pay 3rd party insirance and display it in your window. The majority of motorists didn't bother and it was impossible to police. Then the government came up with the idea of including it in the fuel price. About 5% of the price goes tot he road accident fund.

a year or so ago a computer geek was in an accident in Cape Town and claimed a few hundred miliion $$$$$ from the Road Accident Fund (3rd Party fund) they lost the case in court and had to pay up, bankrupting the fund for the next few years. Then they decided to change the law and only pay for serious injuries. A serious injury is described as at least one broken limb and soft tissue injuries are excluded. This is the concept they are fighting about in court as we speak. The lawers lost the case and the appeal and it is currently in the constitutional courts where they hope to stop the law from changing.

The effect on you as motorist: If you are neglegant you can personally be held liable. If not, there is nothing anyone can do to you. South africa is not a suing culture at all and personal injury lawers are so busy fighting the Road accident fund that they don't even think about personal liability. If you're stressed about it, speak to Neil. Fully Comp will probably cost you less than 60 euro a month.