advice

How to find out the true market value of your car

Just the other day a family member was telling me how they have struggled to sell their car because most of the places they have approached have offered them so little for it. When I asked what the market value of the car was, they weren’t sure. This is a common problem among car sellers. It can be difficult to determine the market value of a car. Then there are the issues of buying a car. How do you know if a car has been stolen or if it has a full service history as the buyer claims? Introducing the FirstCheck app. Together with Transunion, this app is now providing consumers with information that was previously reserved for car dealers, banks and insurance companies. Basically, as a consumer, you now have access to the bank and SA Police Service databases to check if a car is finance, flagged or stolen. As head of Auto at Transunion Africa, Kriben Reddy, says, “Knowing the value and history of a car means you’re far more empowered when you enter the buying cycle. With this app, you’re not only able to put a fair price on the car upfront, but you’re also far less likely to fall victim to fraudsters by having insight into the full history of the vehicle.” So what exactly does the FirstCheck app offer? THE VALUATION REPORT The valuation report provides both current trade and retail values to ensure the price being asked reflects the vehicle’s true market value. This also helps consumers ensure they are paying the correct insurance premiums. It also offers a view of how much the vehicle has depreciated over the past 12 months, and projected future values. THE VERIFICATION REPORT The first part of the verification report provides the car’s original manufacturer information, including vehicle identification number (VIN), engine number and colour, and highlights any discrepancies. The second part follows the vehicle through its lifecycle, as it were, with full financing information, legal status and even mileage at certain points. The verification report also tells a purchaser if a car has been “microdotted” – where a car is marked with thousands of dots. If so, potential buyers can use a microdot scanner to check if body panels and even engine parts have been replaced. If you are in the market to buy or sell your car, I highly suggest you download this FirstCheck app.

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Should you buy a demo model?

Lifestyle / julzmcg

Ah the age-old question, “should I buy a demo model?” Ok fine, it might not exactly be age-old, but it has certainly been a question many of you have asked me. There is always a debate surrounding buying new or used when it comes to cars, but are demo models perhaps the happy medium? WHAT IS A DEMO MODEL? I am sure most of you already know the answer to this, but just to refresh our memories, a demo is a new car that is used to showcase its abilities to potential customers. It is driven by the employees of the dealership as well as by potential customers. It usually isn’t driven more than 5 000 km. Essentially, it is the car used to sell the others cars just like it. The tester, if you will, think ‘perfume bottles at Duty Free’. WHY BUY A DEMO? It is pretty obvious I would say. You essentially get a brand new car at a lower price. Dealers usually use the higher-specced models to show off to customers, so you can find yourself a top of the range model at a price that would be closer to the entry-level model. HOLD YOUR HORSES This all sounds fantastic, right? A brand new car at a steal! But there are a few disadvantages to buying a demo model. The obvious one is that the car now has mileage on the clock and the warranty and/or service plan is now shortened. But another disadvantage of buying a demo and something to consider, is that many people would have driven the car. People’s driving styles differ dramatically and you won’t know just how hard this car has been driven. So expect some wear and tear on it. DON’T DESPAIR Although there are a few disadvantages to buying a demo model, if you do your homework and know what it is you are looking for, you might just find the greatest deal of your life with a demo model. TAKE MY ADVICE I sound so bossy, but you really should read these tips: Find out everything you can about the car. Ask the dealer what the car was used for. Request proof of the car’s in-service date — the day that the warranty begins. Sometimes warranties begin earlier on demo cars, since dealerships are technically using them before making a sale. If the warranty starts early and there isn’t an option to extend it, you can use this as leverage to ask for a lower buying price. To make absolutely sure you are getting all the info you need, get the FirstCheck app where you will be able to find out all the info you are looking for. Compare pricing with new models. Make sure it really is worth it. Don’t just take the first offer. Compare models and pricing and go back to the dealer with an offer that works best for you. Go over the car with a fine toothcomb as it is very possible that the car would have been damaged on one of the many test drives. Check things like rims and tyres, check the windscreen for cracks, check the whole car for dents or scratches, and make sure that everything is almost as good as new before making the purchase. Don’t just sign on the dotted line. Make sure you have gone over every detail of the contract and ensure you are happy with everything before you sign and hand over your hard-earned cash. THE EXPERTS AGREE I chatted to Peter Palm, Road Test Engineer for CAR magazine, and I asked him what he thinks of buying a demo. His response was, “I think it’s an excellent idea. Any teething problems will be discovered and fixed by the dealer, mileage will be minimal and some of the initial depreciation knock is removed before you open your wallet.” There you go!!! I was right, perhaps a demo is the happy medium when it comes to car shopping. Source: Finder.com

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This is the biggest mistake you’re making when buying a car

Lifestyle / julzmcg

Most people base their decision on price when it comes to buying a car. This is a mistake! You need to look beyond what the car costs. You need to look at what it will cost you to own the car, not just purchase it. The first question you should ask yourself is whether you want to buy new or used. There are pro’s and con’s to either. BUYING A NEW CAR There are still many costs you need to consider even if you are buying a new car. Things such as fuel and insurance costs come to mind. Your fuel cost will be determined by how many kilometres you generally do in a month. Do you need something for around town or will you use the car for long distance driving? Insurance costs are obviously higher the more expensive the car is, so make sure you can afford the monthly payments. When it comes to the finance side of things and financing a car, be sure that you have read and understand every single term and condition of the contract. Balloon payments make it easy to buy a car you would not necessarily be able to afford, but that does not mean you should buy it. You might be able to afford the repayments now but at the end of the loan, you will have a lump sum that you will need to cough up. Only consider a balloon payment if you really know what you’re doing and you are certain you will have that money when you need it. BUYING A USED CAR Buying a car that is pre-owned, although cheaper than new, has its own set of criteria to consider. You need to do a lot more homework when it comes to buying used cars. The most important of which is to find out what the market price is of the car you’re interested in buying, whether or not it is still under finance, and what its full history is. You always want a car with a full service history! It can be the difference between loving the car you drive or hating the piece of rubbish you bought. TransUnion is a very handy site that will be able to provide you with a lot of answers to your queries. The best place to get all the information you need on a car is through TransUnion’s FirstCheck app. Try it, you will be thrilled with your choice! MAINTENANCE IS KEY Another huge mistake South African’s make is overlooking the maintenance costs of a vehicle, especially when it comes to buying the more premium and performance models. It is all well and good to be able to afford the price tag of a 10-year-old BMW M3, but can you afford the R2 000 oil change or the costs involved in servicing such a car? Give it a LOT of thought! DO YOUR HOMEWORK This is a huge purchase you’re about to make. And it is not an investment like many people think. You will not make your money back on the car you buy. So make sure you have done all your homework. Run the numbers again and again until you get to a point where you are truly comfortable with making the purchase. There are always unforeseen costs that creep up, it is inevitable. So be prepared. If you are in the market for a car, whether new or used, I know the perfect place to find it.

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Let’s talk about the N2 highway in Cape Town

Lifestyle / julzmcg

Yesterday I posted a video of me driving on the N2 between Somerset West and Cape Town CBD. The reason I made this video was because I felt some people may benefit from a few tips for when driving on this notoriously dangerous road. DANGER! Let’s talk about the dangers, shall we? This road is a criminal hotspot. If you didn’t know that, well then you probably don’t live in Cape Town or you’ve been avoiding the news over the past ten years. We have seen robberies, hijackings, assaults and even murder along this stretch of road. Just this week someone posted in a Facebook community group that they had been robbed and stabbed after they’d had to pull over on the side of the road just after the Airport Approach road due to their car overheating. My husband encountered a situation two weeks ago on his way to catch the red-eye flight whereby two men in a Mercedes-Benz C-Class followed him. He managed to escape them by pulling up next to an accident where police were stationed. WHAT’S YOUR STORY? There are a million stories similar and worse than these. I am certain you have a few of your own to tell. What’s worse is that it doesn’t seem to be getting better on that road. I have to drive the N2 many early mornings to catch flights and many nights coming home from a car launch. It is terrifying and if I can avoid it, I will. But sometimes we cannot avoid the N2. Many commuters use it daily to get to and from work. So what can we do to keep ourselves safe? I have a few tips that may just help you avoid or get out of a potentially threatening situation. 10 SAFETY TIPS FOR THE N2 1. Don’t ever stop on the N2 highway. If you have a tyre blow out, keep driving on the rim until you get to a safe area. A wheel can be replaced, your life cannot. Avoid driving over any cardboard, packets or boxes. There might be bricks or rocks that will cause damage to your car which could force you to stop. If your car can drive, keep driving it. DO NOT STOP! 2. If you have no choice but to stop, call emergency services immediately. Do not get out of your car. Lock your doors and close your windows and remain inside until help arrives. Another tip I read about the other day is that if you have to stop, try and stop in the middle lane and put your hazards on. It makes it harder for the criminals to get to you and hopefully by the time they do, help would have arrived. Traffic services will also take note of you quicker if you are in the middle of the road (I added that part in, it is complete assumption, but a good one I think). 3. Ensure your car is properly serviced and well maintained. This can avoid a potential breakdown. Don’t forget to check your tyres often. 4. Always check your fuel levels. Do not chance it on the N2. You don’t want to have to pull over because you have run out of petrol. This is a situation that can ALWAYS be avoided. 5. I keep the N2 emergency number dialled in to my phone before I even get on to the N2. That way if I need to call them I just press one button and it dials. Keep this number saved in your phone: 021 480 7700. 6. If you frequent the N2, consider joining an emergency service group such as Soteria and the Safe Freeway Project. You can also download their app. Soteria offers: A fully functional Individual and Group Instant Messaging Chat System Watch Over Me (WOM) Emergency Notifications and Alerts 7. Always drive in the far right hand lane to avoid pedestrians who could be walking on the shoulder of the road. I also tend to stick to the middle lane as much as possible. That way if there are pedestrians on either side of me, I am further away from them. 8. Try and drive with a grouping of cars. Catch up to cars in front of you or slow down for cars coming up behind you. Try avoid driving as a stand alone car. 9. If you suspect you are being followed, call emergency services immediately and drive to the nearest public space. A fuel station is often the go to, but make sure you have informed emergency services so they can potentially meet you there. 10. Always remain vigilant. Do not fiddle with the radio or worse, text and drive. Look ahead of the cars in front of you. Keep your wits about you and don’t ever become complacent on that road. There is a reason it is known to be one of the most dangerous roads in our country. The N2 is not the only dangerous road in South Africa, the R300 comes to mind as well. And there are a dozen more, many outside of Cape Town as well. Please be careful, guys. I know many of these tips seem obvious, but sometimes a reminder or refresher can be life saving.

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My weekend road trip tips

Lifestyle / julzmcg

After the roaring success (obviously) of my article on girl’s weekend getaways, I thought you might all be waiting with bated breath for me to do something similar. So here it is. Here are my weekend road trip tips to ensure you ALWAYS have a good time. And a safe time. PLANNING Planning sounds really obvious, but you don’t know what I am actually referring to. So read on, because this is three-fold. If there is a long weekend or it is the end or beginning of school holidays etc. DO NOT leave on those days. I realise that it might give you an extra night or whatever, but crisis, the stress of traffic is too much. I generally need another holiday after just the drive home on a long weekend Sunday. Plan better. Choose your road trip partners wisely. If a dinner party with a certain someone makes you want to stick needles in your eye balls, don’t invite them to drive with you and/or make an excuse as to why they must go with someone else. If you are asked to give someone you don’t know well a lift, ensure you have downloaded podcasts or great music. Put them in the back and turn that system up. They will hopefully get the gist that you are more of a non-talkative road tripper. And also, plan your route really well. If you are the complete opposite of me and enjoy throwing caution to the wind, then this tip is not for you. In fact, most of my website might not appeal to you. I am more your A-Type personality and I love a plan. I will generally know if there are road works or general traffic issues to avoid, I know the places with the best food, and I know exactly how long it will take me to get to my destination. Plan. Plan. Plan. ENTERTAINMENT I am all for music (my husband is, after all, in the music industry). But there is nothing like a good podcast to while away the hours on a long road trip. One of my favourite podcasts for a road trip is My Dad Wrote a Porno. It is just fantastic. Otherwise, a good crime podcast is also a crowd pleaser. Here are a few of my favourite criminal podcasts. You can thank me later. Serial The teacher’s pet Criminal The Prevention Project CHOICE OF WHEELS This plays a huge roll in my road trip planning. I am, of course, a lucky fish, because I get to organise whichever car I want…to a degree, obviously. But, if you and your partner or friend have different cars, pick the one that is safest and most comfortable. If you only have the one car available, be sure to have it serviced in time for your road trip. Check everything from your engine to your tyres to your windscreen wipers. There is nothing that can ruin a road trip quite like being stuck on the side of the road can. PADKOS You cannot leave for a road trip without at least a packet of chips, water and chewy sweets. I know you should probably include some healthy snacks, and please, if that is your vibe, feel free. My healthy snack consists of droëwors. The best road trip tip my Dad taught me doesn’t so much involve the actual road trip but more the destination. Ensure that your beers and wine (or whatever you drink), is in a cooler box and cold before you leave the house. Add ice to said cooler box. This ensures that as soon as you arrive at your destination you have a cold beverage on hand. No need to wait for the beers to cool down in the freezer. Great tip, right? IN CLOSING I may talk about the fun parts of road tripping in this piece, but there are a few things you need to take seriously. One such thing I find happening all too often, is people having a boozy night before they leave on a long journey. It is so dangerous, a part from it being illegal as you might still be over the limit, being super tired can also affect your driving. Patience is another thing people need to practice on a road trip (and just on the road in general.) Don’t take chances. I know what it is like to just want to get to your destination, but rather get there safely than not get there at all.

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Medication and driving…not a great idea

Lifestyle / julzmcg

Yoh, it has been a flu-filled winter, hasn’t it? Although, I have not had flu (touch wood), but just about every one else has. Bronchitis also did a round this year. Can you just imagine the amount of zonked out people who have been on our roads. It can be a little dangerous I fear. MasterDrive sent out a press release on this very issue, because, well, they obviously know just how dangerous flu mixing medication with driving can actually be. SICK PEOPLE STAY HOME PLEASE What is believed to be a new strain of the H1N1 flu virus is making its rounds through the South African public at a considerable speed. Close contact and office heating make offices breeding grounds for illnesses. If you are one of the people who has been affected by colds or flu this winter, you might want to think again before popping flu medication before your commute to the office or home. MEDICATING A common side-effect of these medications is drowsiness. The managing director of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, says while most drivers are likely aware of this, they still underestimate the effect this can have on their driving. “Coupled with the fatigue that accompanies colds and flu, it can be a recipe for disaster. Various studies have been conducted and suggest that driving while fatigued is just as dangerous as drunken driving. “These medications can reduce reaction time, increase drowsiness, and cause nausea and dizziness. If you experience these symptoms while operating a vehicle, you place yourself in a very dangerous position. Rather hold off on taking any medication until you have arrived safely at the office.” A DEFINITE NO NO! For those who need to drive for a living, like salespeople or delivery drivers, this becomes more complicated. “If you are on the road most of the time, there is almost no scenario where it is safe to take flu medication. Employers and managers must be aware of the danger that employees who are consuming flu medication pose to themselves and to the company. If necessary, ensure they take the sick leave recommended by their doctors and provide desk-bound duties for them to complete until they are well enough to return to the roads. “It should be the responsibility of employers to create awareness around the dangers of using drowsy-causing medications while driving and strongly discourage it. Employers should also have alternative plans in place for employees whose time on the roads directly impacts their income. These employees are more likely to feel pressurised to return to work early or use over-the-counter medications to help them continue working through an illness.” Reducing the number of crashes as a result of consuming legal drugs, should form part of company policy. “The safety of your employees and even the well-being of your company may depend on it,” says Herbert.

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What to do and how to avoid a hijacking

Lifestyle / julzmcg

Hijacking statistics in this country are terrifying. At my previous job, I did a number of articles on what to do if you are hijacked and ways to avoid being hijacked altogether. I haven’t done that yet on my website and thought it was about time. MasterDrive is an incredible brand and they often send out safety tips to the media. It is from them that I have learnt how to avoid a hijacking and what to do if I find myself face-to-face with a hijacker. MASTERDRIVE TIPS ON AVOIDING A HIGHJACKING Don’t stop in your driveway You need to be stationary to be hijacked. While it may seem rather redundant to say so, coming to a complete standstill is something many drivers still do. The managing director of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert explains: “Hijackers need you to be stationary which is why you should never pull into your driveway until the gate is open. Instead, wait in the road parallel to your driveway, ready to go at any moment, while the gate opens. “Where possible you should also try avoid stopping completely at intersections. If conditions allow, anticipate traffic light changes and drive slowly up to the intersection to avoid stopping at all. Remember, however, these techniques can only be effective if you are aware of your surroundings and spot a potential threat before it reaches your window,” says Herbert. Reverse parking Shopping centers are one of the areas where crime levels increase drastically over holiday periods. “If you find yourself at a shopping centre, find a parking space against a wall. Then reverse your car into the parking space. When you return to your car you can offload your purchases while keeping an eye open for potential threats. The wall at your back also prevents someone from surprising you from behind.” Practice “While none of us wants to think of being hijacked with our children, the reality is that we should. Before you find yourself in this situation, teach your children where to sit in the car and what to do if it does happen. Agree on a keyword which will mobilise car occupants into action. Remember a car is replaceable but a life isn’t. Your primary objective should be to get yourself and your family out the car as quickly and safely as possible.” MORE TIPS TO AVOID BEING HIJACKED Suzuki South Africa adds some tips: Park in a secure area, with good lighting and preferably a guard on duty. Have your keys ready, but out of sight, and only unlock your car when you’re close to it. Many Suzukis come with keyless entry which saves you from scrabbling around in your handbag in the dark. Keep your valuables out of sight, preferably in the boot. Drive with your windows closed and doors locked. Stay vigilant. Be aware of your surroundings and watch your mirrors for any suspicious vehicles or pedestrians. Avoid distractions, like checking your phone at the robot, as this leaves you vulnerable. Don’t remain stationary if you don’t need to. Slow down when approaching a red robot at night, so it’s green by the time you reach the intersection. Keep a safe following distance (approximately one car length) and when stopped at a robot, allow yourself space to manoeuvre in case you need to make a quick getaway. If you feel like you’re being followed, drive straight to your nearest police station or a busy, well lit public area. Change your route regularly to avoid criminals being able to identify your routine. Don’t turn into your driveway if you believe you’re being followed. Pull up parallel to your gate as it opens or check to see if you have been followed from a shopping mall. Let people know in advance what time you’ll be arriving so that someone can open and close the gate for you. Keep your own driveway well lit and cut back any overgrown shrubs which could obstruct the view of your surrounding WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE HIJACKED Remain calm and non-confrontational. Be compliant and do as the hijackers say. Hand over your car keys without hesitation. Appeal to their humanity and ask them to let you go. Although it’s difficult, try to absorb as much detail as possible (e.g. the age, facial features and physical build of the hijackers). Get as far away from the hijackers as possible before calling for help. Report the incident to your local police station and vehicle tracking company. Seek trauma counselling to help you recover from the ordeal. BUSINESS INSDER’S 5 THINGS TO DO IF YOU’RE HIJACKED Business Insider SA explains exactly what to do and I think these tips could potentially save your life. Derek Kirby, Ford South Africa’s advance and defensive driving expert, has one top tip when it comes to surviving a hijacking: “Remember that the car is insured!” 1. LIFT UP YOUR HANDS Lift both your hands up and spread your ten fingers wide apart to show you’re not holding anything, which sends a message that you are not a threat to the hijacker(s). 2. THE SEATBELT MANOEUVRE In such a high-stakes situation, one wrong or quick move could potentially lead to the pulling of a trigger out of panic. With both hands still raised, slowly reach for your seat belt with the left hand and rest it above your left thumb. Once you’ve reached for the seat belt, pull it forward using your left thumb with the four idle fingers spread, again, to show that you’re not holding anything. With the seat belt now up in front of you, being held up by your left thumb – pass your right hand under the seat belt to the left-side of it. And then gently slide down the seat belt with your left thumb to the buckle and unbuckle it (with the right hand still raised up – to show you’re not pulling any funny moves). 3. PULL UP THE HANDBRAKE AND PUT YOUR CAR IN TO PARK OR NEUTRAL

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Should women drive bakkies?

Lifestyle / julzmcg

Is this not the most ridiculous question? Yet, the amount of times I have been questioned about my choice of bakkie content for certain women magazines is astonishing. It appears that many people still feel that bakkies are just for men. These people are wrong! If you Google, “women and pickups,” (seeing as ‘bakkie’ is a South African term), what you get is a list of articles on how to pick up women. So called “golden rules” on how to ask women out. I kid you not! Sprinkled in amongst these ridiculous articles is the odd. “Women prefer men who drive pickups,” and “Gals like guys in pickups.” It’s pretty sad. But things are slowly changing, thank goodness. An American consumer report states that pick up trucks are becoming the new family car, “Core truck capabilities, such as hauling, towing, and off-road ability, are still priorities, but exterior appearance, safety, and technology are now more important than ever.” There is still a way to go, especially when it is considered a family car and not a car that a single woman would choose for herself. There should be no reason why women don’t consider a bakkie when looking at cars to buy. Not only are they practical as all hell, but they are comfortable, reliable, safe and durable. They are no longer jarring and ‘industrial’ to drive. The only reason I can think that would put someone off is that bakkies are quite large. But this shouldn’t be a reason to avoid them. The ride height alone makes up for this. Take one for a spin you’ll see. TOP 5 BAKKIES TO BUY I wanted to put together a list of five bakkies (ranges not individual models) that I would happily own and drive every day. It all comes down to your lifestyle and what it is you require from a vehicle. But, you should definitely put these on your buying list: VOLKSWAGEN AMAROK TOYOTA HILUX FORD RANGER NISSAN NAVARA MITSUBISHI TRITON Bakkies don’t always come cheap, be careful when selecting. Here is a list of the five most expensive bakkies in South Africa at the moment. But to help your decision, here is a list of South Africa’s 10 best-selling bakkies for April 2019.

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Fact: people can’t drive in the rain

Lifestyle / julzmcg

Why is it that the minute a splash of rain hits the windscreen, our roads become a shit show? I can’t understand it. It’s as if people lose the ability to drive as soon as a little bit of water falls from the sky. Thankfully, the lovely people over at MasterDrive have put together a few pointers for us (I say us, but I mean you – I know how to drive in the rain). Just give it a read, even if you think you are not guilt of driving like a twat in the rain. HOW TO DRIVE IN THE RAIN People driving too slowly: while slowing down in rainy weather is important, some drivers may take this to the extreme. Looking ahead by up to 12 seconds (where visibility permits) will enable you to quickly see these drivers and move around them where possible. If you cannot safely move around, maintain a larger following distance and patiently wait for an opportunity to do so. People driving too fast: do additional checks in your review mirror so that you see a fast driver long before they are right up behind you. If you are on the highway, only use the right-hand lane for passing, and avoid sitting in that lane where you are most likely to encounter reckless drivers. Traffic lights not working: this is common with large amounts of rain. Traffic lights are to be treated like four way stops but with even more caution. In larger intersections many drivers are uncertain of when to go or even reluctant to wait their turn. Never take it for granted that a driver will stop when they are supposed to. Flooding: avoid areas that are prone to flooding and keep an eye on traffic reports. If you do come across a section of road where there is fast flowing water rather turn around or pull over if you can safely do so. It only takes 15cm of water to lift some cars off the tar. Hydroplaning and skidding: if you start to hydroplane slowly take your foot off the accelerator and concentrate on steering straight. Never brake. Gently steer in the direction you do want to go until you regain control. Be patient: do not let reckless or impatient drivers take your attention away from the road. Rather accept that these drivers are inevitable and rather focus your attention on getting to your destination safely. There are some solid tips there. I think the bottom line though is to not drive like a total doos and be patient. And don’t take chances. You are NOT a better driver than everyone else.

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Does your gender affect your car insurance?

Lifestyle / julzmcg

I recently came across an article about a law being passed in California that has banned the use of gender in setting insurance rates. I was shocked that this was even a thing to begin with, not that I should have been shocked really. But it got me thinking, where is South Africa at when it comes to car insurance and gender. Do women pay more? It was reported last year in an article on W24 that women, in fact, pay less than men when it comes to car insurance. I couldn’t find any hard evidence of this, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t any, it just proves that I am no Sherlock Holmes. But, stats show that women are better drivers than men (I knew this all along, of course). How can one be so sure, you ask? Well, women tend to be involved in less accidents than men. Now, we can go in to all the reasons for this, but for the sake of tranquility, let’s all just keep our opinions to ourselves. Single and ready to mingle? I have been all over the internet, mind you, trying to work out if gender is such a huge factor when it comes to car insurance. I have spoken to a number of car insurance brokers and everything points in the same direction; gender doesn’t necessarily affect car insurance premiums in South Africa, but would you believe that being single versus married does? That’s right. If you are married you are likely to pay less than if you were single. A study conducted in 2015 by insurance marketplace InsuranceQuotes.com found that on average, a married 20-year-old paid 21 percent less than a single 20-year-old for the same coverage. Why the difference? According to John Egan of creditkarma.com, insurers believe married men and women are more responsible and mature than single people are. Just using myself as case study here, this is not always the case! Of course, this isn’t going to be the deal breaker. There are so many factors that come in to play when it comes to how much your car insurance will cost you. Factors that include the car you drive, your location, your age, your driving history, your insurance claims history etc. The best thing to do when shopping around for insurance is to do as much research as possible and to ask as many questions as you can. Remember, insurers are there to make money! They are not there to cradle you in their arm when you are in an accident or someone smashes your car window. Nope, they want your moola. So be sceptical, be cautious and do your homework!

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