How colour affects car insurance in South Africa

 ·15 Jul 2023

There are numerous factors that determine car insurance premiums in South Africa, and colour is one of them.

Anneli Retief, the head of product at Dialdirect, told BusinessTech that a motorist’s risk profile determines how their premiums are calculated and tailored.

Retief noted that the colour of one’s car plays a role in terms of safety at night and replacement costs.

“The main reasons why the colour of your car can impact your insurance premiums pertain to the visibility of the car at night and paint costs,” she said.

Thus, while looking at visibility and paint costs, darker cars and cars with matte, pearl or metallic finishes are slightly more expensive.

In addition, alterations to the original paintwork, such as wrapping a vehicle, will also likely impact the premium.

She also listed a host of other areas that affect a car insurance premium outside of colour:

“Other factors that are taken into account include the make and model of the car, where you live, where the car is kept at night, who the driver of the car is, what purpose the car is used for and your previous claims history.

“It’s worthwhile noting that the costs associated with repairing and replacing car parts play a far more significant role in determining the premium price and that, in fact, most of your insurance premium goes towards covering the car against accident damage and paying for damages caused to other persons’ car and property.”


Read: The best-selling car brands in South Africa – including 11 of the most popular models right now

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