The Difference Between 4×4 Insurance And Regular Car Insurance
July 9, 2010 by Susan Reynolds
Filed under Car Insurance
4×4 owners may wonder why their insurance rates are higher than they are with cars. The fact is that 4×4 vehicles are much different than normal cars and vehicles. They have extra capabilities and features that the insurance company sees as more hazardous. You should know what to expect before you buy a 4×4 vehicle.
Basic car insurance will cover you for different aspect of an accident. A policy may cover the other driver and car, your car and injuries, and/or damage sustained from ‘acts of God’. These would include natural disasters and theft, depending on what your policy states. 4×4 insurance policies will work in the exact same way as regular car insurance, although it may be more expensive. A higher profile vehicle will cause more damage in an accident and will have higher costing repairs.
Another huge factor is that 4×4 vehicles are targeted for vandalism and theft more. This is especially true if you live in the city versus in the country. Since the insurance company has the city as a higher risk zone for theft you will pay more in insurance. It’s best to live in a rural area where your high profile vehicle won’t be as likely to be targeted.
Fixing a 4×4 vehicle tends to be more expensive than fixing a regular vehicle. There are a few different reasons for this. The first reason is that 4×4 vehicles have parts that are specialized and harder to find and thus they are more expensive. Another reason is because many 4×4 owners will add extra parts to their vehicle. While these parts may make the vehicle perform better, as they do with sports cars, they are not covered by insurance and thus are more expensive to fix. Some companies will allow you to insure these parts however you will have to pay much higher premiums to do so.
The biggest difference between 4×4 vehicles and normal vehicles is the fact that many 4×4 owners take their vehicles off road. If you have your vehicle insured for off road driving then you will also be paying higher premiums. If you decide not to pay the additional cost then your vehicle won’t be covered while you’re off the road. Many 4×4 drivers also take their vehicles to various competitions. In some cases it’s best to have your vehicle covered for the special event rather than paying an additional price on your monthly premium.
Aside from the fact that 4×4 vehicles are more expensive to insure, the policies are not all that different from regular cars. Get your best quote by searching multiple car insurance companies online. Read through each policy offered by the companies before committing to one, since some include features that others don’t. Also take note of how much your insurance company is covering, since lower coverage may leave you with extra bills. Make sure that you coverage isn’t over or under what your vehicle and your budget require.
Susan Reynolds is the webmaster for a leading South African Insurance Provider who specialises in Car Insurance Policies.