Car Inspection for Insurance
Taking out car insurance nowadays is as easy as picking up the phone, answering a few questions and you’re insured. You can also do it online - most insurance companies now have websites where you can apply for car insurance.

Doing it online or telephonically
Arranging your car insurance online or telephonically is indeed a great time-saver and very convenient but you should still remember a few basis rules:

1. First shop around and compare prices before you decide on the cover that is best suited to your needs.
2. Ask as many questions as you find necessary to clarify any grey areas you may not understand.
3. Make sure that you get your policy documents in the mail and keep it in a safe place.
4. Once you have your policy document and the insurance schedule, take the time to read it and familiarize yourself with the conditions and exclusions.

Warning: Not taking this last step can cost you dearly, there may be some condition or exclusion which you were not aware of that could render your policy null and void!

Comprehensive Insurance Cover
Should you take out comprehensive insurance cover one of the conditions of the policy will be that you must take your car to be inspected at an inspection centre of the insurance company’s choice. This condition will not be necessary if you take out Third Party cover only as the insurance company will only be responsible for claims from third parties. They are not concerned with your car as they have no responsibility towards you.

Where must I take my car to be inspected?
Just when we were telling you how convenient arranging car insurance has become, we now tell you that you need to take your car for an inspection! Sorry, but it has to be done. The insurance company, when confirming the acceptance of your insurance will advise you of the location of the nearest inspection centre. They will also advise you that until the car has been inspected you will only be covered for third party damage. This is a very important point to take note of.

When must the inspection be done?
When you take out comprehensive insurance you do so for a number of reasons, your car may be of high value, you may travel a lot and in high-risk areas or you may have an outstanding loan on the car. It is so easy to forget about taking your car for the inspection once you have arranged the insurance. Please don’t let that happen to you! Can you imagine your car being stolen or seriously damaged; you phone your new insurance company to report the loss – only to find out that you have no cover because the insurance company has never received the inspection report from the inspection centre!

So, the recommendation is – take your car to be inspected as soon as the insurance has been arranged, don’t delay. It only takes a few minutes and you will have the peace of mind that your car is fully insured.

Why must my car be inspected?
It may seem like a nuisance to us but when you think about it logically - Is it fair to expect the insurance company to take on an insurance risk for an item they have never seen? The insurer needs to know that your car is in an insurable condition. At the inspection the inspector will make a note of any prior damage to the car: if you have a previous bump that was never fixed you can’t expect the new insurance company to pay for the repair.

The inspector also checks the tyres for wear and tear and confirms the security equipment that has been installed. It is very important that any security equipment is insurance approved in terms of the VESA standards. The inspector will also note the make and model of any non-standard accessories such as sound equipment as these must be specified if you wish to insure them.

What happens after the inspection?
Make sure that you obtain a copy of the inspection certificate. The inspector will advise the insurance company of the details. Our recommendation is that you confirm with your insurance company, in a day or two after the inspection, that they have indeed received the certificate and your comprehensive insurance is now fully in place.

Now you’re covered.