4×4 Insurance Explained
August 13, 2010 by Bertulda Zerna
Filed under Car Insurance
Different vehicles require different types of insurance. Each type of insurance is specifically geared toward the vehicle it is insuring, whether a motorcycle, truck, or regular car. 4×4 insurance must be tailored to fit the needs of the vehicle and the driver. This insurance is often more expensive than regular car insurance because of the specific risks involved with owning this type of vehicle. Before you purchase a policy you should do as much research as possible to find the best one for you.
4×4 vehicles are specifically singled out because they can handle off road driving. Insurance companies have much more to worry about with off road driving, especially in vehicle damages. If you choose to use your 4×4 on the street only you can lower your insurance premiums. Off road coverage is extra and will cover damaged incurred from popped tires, broken windshields, or dents. If you choose to drive off road without purchasing the extra insurance your policy will cancel out until you return to the road. You may choose to be covered for only a few days if you are going out for a short excursion.
The types of 4×4 insurance are not unlike regular car insurance. You have your basic liability, which will only cover what happens to other people and vehicles in a crash. You also have comprehensive and theft coverage which compensates you for damages from vandalism and theft that might have occurred. The highest costing insurance plans will cover the cost for fixing other peoples vehicles and hospital bills as well as your own. Make sure you revise what is in each policy before you choose one because companies will vary slightly within the terms of each agreement.
4×4 vehicles are often more expensive to insure because they cost more to repair. Unlike cars and other mass produced vehicles, the parts for 4×4 trucks and SUVs are harder to find a replace. Your insurance company will therefore have to pay more to fix your vehicle. If you have added anything on to your 4×4 you can expect that it won?t be covered by traditional insurance policies. These add-ons will have to be individually insured or paid to fix by you. Wide screens are very popular features of 4×4s that are not covered by regular insurance. If the truck has this feature be sure that your policy insures its repairs.
Salvage retention rights allow you to take advantage of certain rights that other drivers cannot use. These rights allow you fit on parts to your 4×4 or make updates when needed. Most other policies will void the contract if you attempted this. Your salvage retention rights also allow you to keep the parts of your 4×4 if it is totaled. Those who fix their own cars find this very helpful for repairing other vehicles for no additional cost. Most policies, even those for 4×4s will not come with salvage retention so make sure you add it on if necessary.
Susan Reynolds is a content coordinator for a leading South African Insurance Provider that specialises in Car Insurance Policies.