Expect The Best But Prepare For The Worst: The Value of Motor Warranty

A safe, functional car is widely considered essential in South Africa. If anything were to happen to your car without protection in place, you’d likely need to dig into your savings or be left stranded. While theft and accidents are well-known risks, other common threats, like failing parts, can sneak up on you if you’re not aware of them.

Auto&General Insurance offers auto top-up options such as a Motor Warranty to cover car problems of all kinds. Much like buying an umbrella doesn't mean you want it to rain, just that you want to stay dry if it storms. Having wide-ranging Car Insurance protects you against what you hope won't happen — in case it does.

Vehicle part replacements: how it puts a dent in your finances

According to recent research, South Africa has one of the worst car-price-to-disposable-income ratios in the world. Our country also experiences more than its fair share of road crimes. Anyone who’s made sacrifices to afford a car will likely take measures to keep it safe. That’s why many South Africans request a car insurance quote for protection against vehicle theft or accident damage, usually in the form of Comprehensive Car Insurance.

But after parting with your hard-earned money in exchange for your vehicle repairs, you may be thinking of ways to save on Car Insurance. Before you limit your policy to theft, accident, storm, and fire protection, consider whether supplementing this coverage might be a money-savvy move in the long term.  

The reality is that your car could encounter a problem that's less dramatic than a hijacking or collision on the highway — but one that's equally expensive to fix and just as inconvenient. Many mechanical and electrical car parts can fail without an obvious reason, even if your car is well maintained — but Comprehensive Car Insurance won't cover this issue. You will encounter this problem sooner or later, even if you use your car infrequently, and depending on when it strikes and what’s affected, the repercussions can range from inconvenient to highly impactful. 

One example would be your car's air conditioning. A regular service (which can be covered by a manufacturer's warranty depending on the car's age) will involve changing your air conditioning filters and re-gassing the system. However, the manufacturer warranty for this part can have a time or mileage limit. If your air conditioner stops working after this time, you'll need to repair it at your own cost or endure unpleasant summertime driving.

Another more serious example is a part such as your car's timing belt. Like your air conditioning, this can be protected by a manufacturer’s warranty for a period of time. However, the consequence of not replacing or repairing this part when it fails is much more serious. A timing belt can eventually snap, shutting down your engine while you're driving. 

4 Proven ways a Motor Warranty helps you save money

A Motor Warranty can cover parts of your car that fail without reason and not because of natural wear and tear. Here are some of its benefits:

1. It saves you money

While this is a somewhat obvious benefit, it's easy to forget just how expensive some essential car parts are. There are also expenses associated with car breakdowns, such as alternative transport costs and fees for having parts repaired or replaced. Auto&General, an award-winning Car Insurance company, covers these costs with our Motor Warranty product. Another benefit is that it locks in the price of parts at the current market value, protecting you from having to pay more for a part in the future due to inflation.

2. It lets you plan

Often, a car part replacement or repair ends up taking more of a financial toll than it should because it happens inconveniently. A sudden urgent repair can disrupt your budget and sink you into a financial hole. For example, it can force you to use money bookmarked for a holiday. Using an emergency credit card means you'll likely spend months paying off what you spent, plus plenty of interest. With a Car Warranty, you know exactly what you pay each month, making this a budget-friendly option.  

3. It gives you peace of mind

When you have a car that works, you rarely think about it. When it stops working, it can be a major stressor that impacts every area of your life. You could have to scramble to find someone to take the kids to and from school, ask coworkers for lifts, or have to navigate the public transport system with little notice. You might even need to work later hours to compensate for arriving late, which can, in turn, negatively affect your family and social life.

4. It keeps you driving for longer

Cars are complex machines involving thousands of parts working together in unison. This means if one part fails, it impacts the parts around it. In many cases, the strength of the car's collective parts can keep it functioning for longer and hide signs of damage. When this happens, it can conceal the issue until the car stops working altogether and several parts need replacing — decreasing your car's lifespan. A Motor Warranty supplements your regular services, giving you ample time to make necessary replacements or repairs before the problem escalates.

Get a Car Insurance quote from Auto&General

It might be a downer thinking about everything that can go wrong with your car, but this is just a way of staying a step ahead of problems. If you're ready for a proactive approach to ensuring a smooth ride, get a Motor Warranty or Car Insurance quote from Auto&General.

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Sources:

1 News24: Here's how South Africa's car prices compare to some other countries

Disclaimer: The information in this article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, or medical advice.