Car insurance companies stick it to e-tolls

Many of South Africa’s large insurance companies will still honour a vehicle claim, even if the car’s licence disc has expired. This follows concerns voiced by motorists after it was announced that the licence renewal system will be linked to e-tolls in the future.

During Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent announcement of the new e-toll dispensation, he said those with outstanding e-toll payments may not be able to renew their car licence disc in the future.

The e-toll review panel did acknowledge that changes to current transport legislation would need to be made before this could be implemented.

The prospect of this, though, has raised concerns that those not paying e-tolls might fall out of favour with their vehicle insurers.

Car insurance companies will still pay claims

Auto and General said it would not consider the status of a customer’s vehicle licence disc when deciding whether to settle a claim.

“If a client has failed to renew their licence disc because of their e-toll account, this is not material for us whatsoever,” said the company.

Outsurance said on Twitter that an expired licence disc would not result in a claim not being settled, following the e-toll announcements.

Budget Insurance told Times Live that it would honour a claim even if a licence disc was expired, while MiWay said it can make concessions depending on various factors.

A Discovery Insure sales representative said that as long as the client’s car was in a roadworthy condition, the claim would be honoured even if its licence disc had expired.

Besides the linking of licence renewals to e-tolls, Ramaphosa stated that tariffs would be greatly reduced, while light motor vehicle drivers will enjoy a monthly cap of R225 per month – down from the usual R450.

More on e-tolls

What to do when you get stopped for not paying e-tolls

E-tolls could have been much worse: report

“My wife pays e-tolls – she is stupid”