The Ways That 4×4 Insurance Varies From Standard Car Insurance
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 important factor is that 4×4 vehicles are known as high profile vehicles. They usually will be a target for theft more than an average car. This is especially true if the vehicle is kept in a public parking lot. Those who have a 4×4 vehicle and live in the city will pay more for insurance since their vehicle is more likely to be targeted due to higher crime rates.
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.
It’s important to know that as with sports cars 4×4 vehicles will be more expensive naturally when it comes to insurance. The best thing you can do is to compare quotes from various companies and find the lowest rate. You can also greatly reduce the rate of your vehicle by having it just for a recreational vehicle. You will also want to read through the policies that each company offers. This is because some companies will cover some situations while others won’t. If you plan on doing something besides driving your 4×4 vehicle you should ask your insurance agent what they can cover.
Susan Reynolds is the content coordinator for a leading South African Insurance Provider who specialises in Car Insurance Options.
