4x4 Vehicle & Trailer Insurance Research

**PAJERO** · 2008/10/12, 05:02 PM

I am currently busy with research regarding 4x4 Vehicle and Trailer Insurance.
I had some difficulty in the past obtaining insurance on our 4x4 trailer, which we build up ourself.
I also found out that various insurance companies do not provide cover in all African countries, excluding cover in some of them.

I want to know whether there would be interest in obtaining insurance cover for your 4x4 in all African countries.
I also need to know whether there is a need in covering your trailer or caravan with all the modifications, not just insuring the value of the trailer but also your extras. (Example tent, fridge, gas bottles, chairs...)

Please note that this is not an existing company and no sales are being done. I am just doing a research and require valuable input for possibilities in the future.

4x4 Regards

**Dirk** · 2008/10/12, 07:43 PM

Contact Tuff Stuff, http://www.tuffstuff.co.za. Ensure to mention the forum.

**Engel** · 2008/10/12, 08:07 PM

also busy with it. My concern is using a 4x4 in the borders where most insurers dont cover it!. Got a meeting tue with tuffstuff. so far they seem to have the best 4x4 cover!!

**Imvubu** · 2008/10/12, 08:28 PM

Tuffstuff will cover all of Africa south of the Equator and the whole of Kenya. Cross Country covers SA, Swaziland, Lesotho, Namibia, Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.

North of the Equator, you will struggle to get cover, but might be able to arrange via Lloyds or some other international broker. It will be horrendously expensive though.

**venterap** · 2008/10/12, 08:33 PM

Originally Posted by Engel

also busy with it. My concern is using a 4x4 in the borders where most insurers dont cover it!. Got a meeting tue with tuffstuff. so far they seem to have the best 4x4 cover!!

Maybe I am a bit dof here, but I am insured through Santam. When I look at my policy, my vehicle is covered in a lot of countries (do not have the exact list here). IIRC they said if the country where I want to go to is not on the list they can arrange (for a fee) cover in that country. The only proviso they have regarding 4x4 usage is that I may not use it for trials and rallies, i.e in competitions. So, why is it necessary to go to specialist 4x4 insurers?

**Imvubu** · 2008/10/12, 08:58 PM

Your 4x4 specialists include repatriation cover for your vehicle, an element of breakdown cover, medical evacuation for you and your passengers and a number of other additional covers that other insurers don't offer, or limit to SA.

In respect of the other part of Pajero's question, you might need to negotiate an agreed value for your trailer if it is a home-build, or need to have it valued by an approved dealer. Your Insurers will be able to advise you here. You might find though that they limit the cover on the trailer to third party only. You can however still specify all the 'extras' and insure them comprehensively.

**Dirk** · 2008/10/12, 09:09 PM

June 2006, Botswana.
During our trip a Jeep Cherokee CRD LTD breaks down in the Savuti bush.
After a long struggle, we managed to get the vehicle to Kasane.
After another long struggle we managed to secure transport back to SA for the Jeep.

The verdict, sand managed to get into the engine via the air intake, motor stuffed.

Vehicle had regular insurance, with full cover for Botswana, yet that cover only covered accident or theft, no repatriation or anything.

In the end it cost the owner over R20k to get the vehicle back.

If he was insured with one of the specialist 4x4 insurers they would have assisted with the repatriation of the vehicle, and all costs would have been covered.

Another, check you policy, if you attempt a water crossing, down the motor and blow the engine, will your insurer pay out?

**venterap** · 2008/10/12, 09:19 PM

Seems I must really take a long hard look at that policy...

**Dirk** · 2008/10/12, 09:23 PM

Originally Posted by venterap

Seems I must really take a long hard look at that policy...

Specialist 4x4 policies may be more expensive, but they cover a whole host of things not covered by the regular insurer.

**Christo Davids** · 2008/10/12, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by Dirk

Specialist 4x4 policies may be more expensive

Not always,

Do yourself a favour and get a quote from Tuff Stuff and Cross Country. You might be surprised at what they will offer you

**luangwablondes** · 2008/10/13, 03:31 AM

You can try the the insurance companies on this page. Although the intent for these was to find insurance for foreigners buying a vehicle in SA, at least they have insured vehicles for travel in other parts of Africa.

**PAJERO** · 2008/10/14, 07:57 AM

Thank you for the feedback and advise.

I also want to know whether there is a need in covering your trailer or caravan with all the modifications, not just insuring the value of the trailer but also your extras. (Example tent, fridge, gas bottles, chairs...)

I know there is a option to specify the items to gain comprehensive cover, however I am trying to find out if people would rather be interested to insure it as a combination.

You will only send a list through of all your camping equipment and items in the trailer / caravan, even your kitchen utensils, and this is added as additional cover under your trailer policy resulting in cheaper premiums.

I am doing this research for a possible new insurance specifically looking at the needs of 4x4 enthusiasts.

4x4 Regards

**Greg** · 2008/10/14, 08:29 AM

Please keep us posted

I had very good service from Club Marine (aka Cross Country) when I insured my boat.

If I start overlanding, I'll definately give them a try.

**Imvubu** · 2008/10/14, 08:48 AM

Pajero, I'd be very interested to find out who you're doing the research for. In my line of business it's always good to know about new options.

**OFFROAD ADDICT** · 2008/10/14, 09:09 PM

Asked Tuffstuff to give me an estimate. Wont give me cover as i carry a ladder and some tools. They recon it can become a risk. I said when i go offroad i also carry tools, well maybe different type of tools , they said thats ok. Petrol on roof and lots of other stuff on the roof, they said thats ok but no ladder, i didnt ask about sand ladders