This post was published on Nov 29, 2024
When it comes to short-term insurance, you’re probably familiar with policies that cover your car, home, or even your personal belongings. But did you know there are additional products that can give you even more peace of mind? These extras, known as value-added products (VAPs), provide protection for those everyday damages that might not be covered by your main insurance.
In this post, we’ll break down what value-added products are and why they’re a smart choice—especially when it comes to car insurance.
What Are Value-Added Products for Car Insurance?
Value-added products are essentially add-ons to your car insurance that handle the smaller stuff—things like scratches, dents, or damage to your tyres and rims. While your comprehensive car insurance policy covers major incidents like accidents or theft, these products help protect you from the smaller, more frequent types of damage.
Tyre and Rim Cover
If you’ve ever hit a pothole, you know how quickly it can damage your tyres or rims. Tyre and rim cover takes care of those repairs so you’re not stuck paying for them out of pocket. It’s generally more affordable than full car insurance, but keep in mind that there may be limits on how many times you can claim each year (we’ll cover that in more detail below).Scratches and Dents Cover
We've all been there—you park your car, go about your day, and when you return, you find a scratch or dent that wasn’t there before. Scratches and dents cover helps pay for the repairs on minor damage like this. These claims are usually for amounts smaller than your comprehensive policy excess, which means you won’t need to dip into your main insurance for every little scratch.
To give you an idea of what’s covered, insurers typically assess the following:
- Car Chips should be less than 1.55 mm in diameter.
- Dents should be less than 150 mm long on a single panel.
- Scratches should also be no longer than 150 mm on a single panel.
Both tyre and rim cover, as well as scratches and dents cover, are not only affordable but quick to claim. And the best part? If your main car insurance policy offers a cash-back bonus, claims on these products usually won’t affect that bonus.
What You Should Know Before Adding These Products
Before you sign up for any value-added products, there are a few things to consider. For instance, many tyre and rim policies limit the number of claims you can make each year—typically four incidents, covering two tyres and two rims. On the other hand, most insurers don’t limit the number of claims you can make for scratches and dents.
You’ll also want to keep in mind the excess fees. The excess amount will vary depending on the level of coverage you choose. For example, if your scratches and dents cover ranges from R1,000 to R5,000, your excess fee will be based on the cover value you’ve selected. The same applies to tyre and rim cover.
Why You Should Consider Value-Added Products
Value-added products are a smart way to extend your car’s protection without breaking the bank. They work alongside your main insurance to handle the small stuff, meaning you won’t have to file a comprehensive claim every time you get a scratch or dent. Plus, they give you peace of mind, knowing that your car’s everyday wear and tear is taken care of.
Conclusion:
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, value-added products like tyre and rim cover, and scratches and dents cover are affordable and practical additions to your car insurance. They offer extra protection against those little mishaps that happen all too often, saving you time, money, and hassle in the long run. By choosing the right mix of products, you can rest easy knowing your car is covered—no matter what.
