Get appropriate vehicle insurance cover for floods and storms

Short-term insurers reported that the November hailstorms in Gauteng resulted in numerous claims for vehicle damage related to the storms.

The Ombudsman for short-term insurance (OSTI) has since emphasised the need for appropriate vehicle insurance that will cover motorists from unpredictable weather conditions.

Also read: Staying safe during heavy rainfall and hail

OSTI stated that some insurance policies cover damage due to these factors with specific rules for each case.

Vehicle owners are responsible for car maintenance and OSTI warned that there are instances where car insurance may not cover water damage.

This includes negligence such as the insured leaving the vehicle with the windows or sunroof open during a storm and the vehicle being damaged by water.

Another instance is deliberate damage, where the insured deliberately drives into a flooded area.

Also read: First fire, then hail – residents deal with double disasters

The best way to avoid flood damage to a car is to avoid driving in floods and not taking the car journey in the first place.

If it’s unavoidable, there are precautions that a driver can take.

They must avoid driving into moving water – it only takes 0.6 metres of moving water to sweep a car off the road.

If the car is swept off the road, the driver must exit the vehicle as quickly as possible.

Another solution is to look for alternative roads.

Drivers need to take note of public service notifications and use safer driving routes, as advised by the traffic authorities.

If any of the abovementioned were to happen to someone’s car, would their insurance cover the damage? Will car insurance cover hail damage?

The answer is that it depends on that individual’s car insurance coverage and the insured events that are included in their policy.

Third-party only and third-party fire and theft insurance do not cover extreme weather damage.

OSTI stated that for comprehensive protection against severe weather risks, a driver will need comprehensive car insurance.

This cover includes the full range of damage possibilities to the vehicle; however, it will not include damage to personal possessions in the car.

If all these conditions have been met and the insured is denied a payout by their insurer, they must contact OSTI via its website, www.osti.co.za

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