4×4 owners may wonder why their insurance rates are higher than they are with cars. The fact is that 4×4 vehicles are much different than normal cars and vehicles. They have extra capabilities and features that the insurance company sees as more hazardous. You should know what to expect before you buy a 4×4 vehicle.

Basic car insurance will cover you for different aspect of an accident. A policy may cover the other driver and car, your car and injuries, and/or damage sustained from ‘acts of God’. These would include natural disasters and theft, depending on what your policy states. 4×4 insurance policies will work in the exact same way as regular car insurance, although it may be more expensive. A higher profile vehicle will cause more damage in an accident and will have higher costing repairs.

Another huge factor is that 4×4 vehicles are targeted for vandalism and theft more. This is especially true if you live in the city versus in the country. Since the insurance company has the city as a higher risk zone for theft you will pay more in insurance. It’s best to live in a rural area where your high profile vehicle won’t be as likely to be targeted.

Costs to fix 4×4 trucks and SUVs are much higher than the cost to fix regular vehicles. This is because parts are harder to find and repair. Insurance companies will look at this as an extra cost to insure your vehicle and will charge you more. If you have extra features added to your 4×4 that didn’t come with the stock you will have to get extra insurance to have these repaired in case of an accident. Insurance companies won’t voluntarily pay for these extra add-ons unless your policy specifically covers them.

Finally the biggest difference between 4×4 vehicles and cars is it’s off road capabilities. Your standard car insurance won’t cover your vehicle if you go off road. This means that you will have to either pay for the repair costs yourself or have to see if your car insurance company offers off road protection. If they do then you will have to pay a higher rate. Also if you’re an enthusiast that likes to race or enter other various competitions you may have to get those covered separately. In some instances it’s better to be covered for a single day then pay high interest rates every month.

The insurance basics are virtually the same besides these few factors. You will want to check with several insurance companies to try to find the best rate for your 4×4. You should also review the policies of the various insurance companies very closely as they may have different policies regarding your 4×4 and its coverage.

Susan Reynolds is the content coordinator for a leading South African Insurance Provider who specialises in Car Insurance Options.

Car insurance excess is what you are required to pay when you have your vehicle repaired under an insurance claim. The insurance company will pay the amount above the excess to have the repairs completed.

The amount of excess is determined by you and your insurance company provider at the time you start your policy. In most cases when you have your vehicle repaired the excess amount will be paid by you directly to the garage or mechanic making the repairs.

When you file a claim where another motorist is responsible for the repairs done to your vehicle they may reimburse you the excess you had to pay or pay it their selves and deduct it from your settlement amount.

Too many drivers are on the road that have no insurance at all or coverage amounts that are insufficient to cover all your repairs or medical costs. It is illegal to drive while uninsured but this does not stop people from doing it. Your excess amount may not be able to be recovered if you are involved in an accident with a motorist who has insufficient insurance coverage. You can get protection from your insurer against underinsured or uninsured drivers and they will cover the costs that occur from the accident minus the excess payment originally agreed upon in your policy.

There are over 5% of drivers on the streets in the UK who are uninsured. The insurance companies provide protection but due to the fact they are at risk for paying for other drivers mishaps the insurance premiums continue to rise.

The minimum excess that your insurance provider will accept for your policy is the compulsory excess. This amount will change from one driver to the next. The insurer will use your vehicle type, age, experience driving, as well as your driving record to determine your compulsory excess payment. The amount will vary from $50 to $500 or $1000 depending on your criteria and the insurers guidelines.

You can choose to pay a voluntary excess to help lower your premium payments. If you have a very low excess quoted to you it can be increased and this will lower your policy price. You have to be careful when increasing your excess amount as you should be able to afford the amount if the need arises. You do want to lower your premium though so increasing it to what you can afford comfortably should give a good balance.

If you have filed a claim for repairs to be completed on your vehicle and placed the car in the garage the insurance company will in most cases pay the garage directly. They may send you a check for the repairs that needs to be turned over to the garage. The vehicle will not be released until full payment is made so you will need to pay the excess amount to the garage directly unless otherwise directed by your insurance company in order to have the vehicle released back to you. If your excess is too high this may be difficult to come up with and the garage will keep your car until payment is received and the insurance company will not pay for a rental while you try to come up with this money if the repairs are complete.

Susan Reynolds is a content coordinator for a leading South African Insurance Provider that specialises in Car Insurance Policies.

We all are looking for way to lower our bills especially in todays economy. Having a car can be as costly as owning a home, with the expensive car payments, high cost of fuel, and the high rates paid for vehicle insurance. Refinancing the car loan for a lower rate can save on payments, purchasing a car that offers better gas mileage will greatly reduce fuel costs and many other things can be done to lower the vehicle insurance rates.

The best way to start on saving on your vehicle insurance is to shop around with other companies. Brokers are available to offer their services but you may be subject to fees. Calling for quotes can be tiresome but it is worth the hundreds of dollars saved on your policy.

The deductible is the mount you are expected t pay out of pocket in the event that there is a claim on your policy. By having a very low deductible your rate is higher and if you increase your deductible you will see the premiums go down.

The type of car you drive can determine what kind of premium you pay with your insurance. If your vehicle is in a high risk category for theft or for being involved in more accidents it could dramatically increase your rates. The value of your car will impact the rates as well as if it is a sports car or a family sedan.

We all want to have a clean driving record and be safe on the road, this goes without saying. Insurance premiums are reflected by your driving record so the safer you are the better your rates. Running a stop sign or speeding can increase your policy just as a major violation or an accident will.

Safety and security features installed on your car will dramatically reduce your rates. Dual airbags, safety locks and anti theft features are looked at as very beneficial to your insurance company and can save you hundreds on your policy. If your vehicle is not equipped with these features find out how much it would be to install them and speak to your insurance company about the discounts you would receive.

When it is time to renew your policy do not just send them the money. Look over the policy to make sure no changes are needed and this is a good time to shop around for compared quotes. You may find that after having a policy in place for a year or so you will be offered lower rates from other companies to switch.

If it is possible combine any existing policies with one company. Many insurance companies will offer discounts for having more than one policy with them. Your mortgage insurance, renters insurance, boat or motorcycle insurance can all be carried through the same company in most cases and this will save you plenty in the long run on all of your policies.

Lowering your insurance premium is possible and with the many ways to productively save money you can find a way that will affect your current policy and possibly create even lower premiums for future policies. Do not be afraid to shop around and always ask about the details of the policy to determine if you need the coverage they offer.

Susan Reynolds is the webmaster for a leading South African Insurance provider who specialises in Car Insurance.