Unpredictable road activities and conditions can challenge even the best of drivers out there. Insurance was created to protect you from unexpected and unlikely events. Here are some scenarios where a car insurance can act as a life saver!
Cost of Minor Car Accident
When your car is involved in an accident, the damages caused to your car becomes your own problem. This means that you will end up spending a significant sum of money in car repairs or buying a new car. Let’s see an an example of a vehicle that you may own with a value of Ksh. 1,000,000 which is involved in an accident. Following will be the breakdown of some of the costs you will pay for an “average impact” –
Following will be the breakdown of some of the costs you will pay for an “average impact” –
| CAR DAMAGES | COST |
| Bonnet | 25,000/= |
| Bumper | 13,000/= |
| Fender | 13,000/= |
| Headlight | 7,500/= |
| Side Mirror | 7,500/= |
| Grid | 5,000/= |
| Total | Ksh. 71,000/= |
In addition, if you own a popular car, chances are it can be stolen leaving you stranded. This directly results in a financial loss as not only you will lose a priced asset of yours but you will also spend more to buy a new car.
Additionally, with changing climatic conditions and poor infrastructure, there are more flood prone areas now than ever before which has a potential to seriously damage your car. This again becomes your problem if you are not comprehensively covered.
Types of Car Insurance
Comprehensive Insurance
Comprehensive insurance is a slightly higher type of motor insurance (private or commercial) that provides cover against the widest range of risks; including car damages, accidental bodily injury on third parties, loss of items from the car, cost of accidental transfers by car hire/towed vehicle if the insured car incurs massive damage, and windscreen breakage. If you have recently purchased a new car, check with us on the available options in the market. It
Third party, Fire and Theft.
Third party motor is the most basic form of insurance coverage. It covers for loss of the vehicle through fire or theft and any loss as a result of attempted fire or theft. Damage to property is also covered. There are optional extras available such as windscreen breakage
Third party
Third party covers minimum basic motor insurance available. It offers liability to third parties in the event of bodily injury and damage to third party vehicles or property. It does not provide insurance compensation to your damaged vehicle in case of an accident. It is a mandatory cover required by law.
Benefits of Car Insurance
| BENEFITS OF CAR INSURANCE | |
| Insurance on the Vehicle | Maximum Compensation |
| Loss or Damage | Value of the Car |
| Financier’s Interest | Value of the Car |
| Protection, Recovery and Removal after Accident | 30,000 |
| Car Repair Costs | 50,000 |
| Liability to Third Parties | |
| Passenger Injury/Death | 3,000,000 (per person), 20,000,000 (per event) |
| Third Party Persons Injury/Death | 3, 000,000 (per person), Unlimited (per event) |
| Third Party Property Damage | |
| Emergency Medical Expenses | |
| Emergency Medical Expenses | 30,000 |
| Vehicle in Custody of Motor Trader or Other Motor Vehicle Service Providers | |
| Vehicle in Custody of Motor Trader or Other Motor Vehicle Service Providers | Value of the car |
| EXCESS IN CAR INSURANCE | |
| Your Contribution | |
| Own Damage | 2.5% of Estimated Value |
| Theft (With Anti-Theft Device) | Lower of 10% Estimated Value or Pre-theft Value |
| Theft (Without Anti-Theft Device) | Lower of 20% Estimated Value or Pre-theft Value |
| Theft (With Tracking Device) | Lower of 2.5% Estimated Value or Pre-theft Value |
| Third Party Property Damage | 7,500 |
| Young Driver (Aged 21 or less) | 5,000 |
| Inexperienced Driver (1 year experience or less) | 5,000 |
| USAGE IN CAR INSURANCE | |
| Included – Social, Domestic, Pleasure, Business, Profession | |
| Exluded – Racing, Competition, Rallies or Trials, carriage of passengers for hire or reward |
What You Need to Get Insurance
Did you know that an insurance policy is a legal contract? As with all other contracts, there are some documents you need to present to a car insurance company in order to get a policy. Here are the documents you need have before talking to a car insurance agent.
1. National ID Card (or other official ID)
Insurance companies will ask you for a form of identification before they process your motor insurance policy application. Usually they’ll ask for a national ID because it’s the most popular form of identification available in Kenya. You can also use other government issued forms of identification such as your Kenyan passport. Foreigners are required to have an alien ID issued by the Kenyan government. Otherwise, you passport should be a sufficient for of ID for purposes of insurance.
2. Log Book
You also need to carry your logbook as you go to see your insurer. The logbook is proof of ownership and will be required whenever you make a claim. The logbook is also important for the insurance company because it provides details of the car, such as make and model, engine capacity, age, carrying capacity, etc. These elements are used to calculate the value of premiums you will be required to pay.
3. Valuation Report
For the first time you buy insurance, the car insurance company will require you to provide them with a valuation report. In many cases, the will provide you with a list of affiliated valuers who will then carry out an independent assessment of the value of the car, and thereafter send the report to the insurance company. Its probably better to get that list from your insurer rather than going to look for a valuer yourself, because you will be charged less as a client of the insurance company. Some insurance companies will require a new valuation periodically to adjust the value of the total sum assured, factoring in wear and tear, and depreciation.
4. The car insurance Proposal form
The insurance company will also expect you to fill out a motor insurance proposal form. This form is the one used to assess your risk levels. An underwriter will examine it and will calculate the premiums you need to pay for the risks you would like to be covered. Most companies have the insurance proposal form on their websites for easy download. It is however advisable to fill the form in the presence of an insurance agent to ensure you get full clarity on the matters it raises, and a full understanding of the consequences of each of your responses. Giving false information on your proposal form can void your insurance.
SOURCE: pacific-group.co.ke
