WHAT IF? Nicole Canning looks at a number of worse case scenarios - keys locked in car, smashed window, bashed car, car broken into, slashed tyres and striking workers attack. Where do you stand? Are you covered by insurance?
WHAT IF I lock my keys in the car and smash the window to get them out?
The deliberate breaking of a window would not qualify as ‘accidental damage’ and would therefore not be covered by insurance unless you had more extensive cover, such as an ‘All Risks optional keys and locks cover’ - this would include the cost of calling out a locksmith, making it unnecessary to break the window in the first case.
WHAT IF I come back to my car in the parking lot and it has been bashed into?
If the offender has been gracious enough to leave a note, contact them to sort the matter out with their insurance (if they are not insured you can try to negotiate a cash payment with them). If not, the damage will be covered by your insurer if you have comprehensive cover. If you have only third party or limited cover, the repair will not be insured against.
WHAT IF my car is broken into when parked in a really dodgy part of town?
Provided you had taken reasonable precautions to prevent loss or damage (doors locked, valuable items not visibly displayed etc) then the location of the break-in will not affect your insurance cover.
WHAT IF someone slashes my tyres?
Your 'all risks' but not 'third party' insurance policy will cover this damage. If know who did it the insurer may seek to recover the damages from the person responsible.
WHAT IF I am caught in a mob of angry strikers who end up trashing my car?
This type of damage will be covered by your insurer. If the strike was politically motivated, SASRIA cover would cover it. SASRIA is a special risks’ insurer that covers damages arising from civil unrest, terrorism and labour action (strikes, lockouts etc) Part of your monthly premium to your insurer will go to SASRIA to enable this payment.
Nicole Canning spoke to Santam to clarify some of these grey areas. In most cases it depends on the type of cover you have, so be sure to check what your status is, just in case!
