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Car – Vehicle Advice from Santam
Car advice
How to estimate the trade in value of your vehicle
Selling your vehicle privately could get you more cash. But, for some, life’s too brief to field calls and do weekend test-drives. A trade-in is a much more convenient option: you have an abundance of dealerships and vehicles to choose from and they make everything effortless and hassle-free for you.
7 Steps to switching car insurance
Switching car insurance is effortless if done correctly and it can be done at any time. Just make sure that you are not venturing any gaps in cover or receiving any surprises with cover shortfall at claims stage.
six tips to get the most for the car you’re trading in
Got your eye on a next set of wheels? Then you’ve very likely wondered what to do with your existing car. You could sell it privately or go for the quicker, more convenient option – trading it in at a dealership.
Trio effortless steps to trading in your car
Trading in your old car for a shiny newer model is by far the most convenient way to upgrade your set of wheels. Albeit you will get more money selling it yourself, most dealerships will fall over themselves to sell you a excellent value second-hand car. The trick to getting the best deal is to do your homework and be a savvy negotiator. Go after these three steps to win at trading in.
Advice on car financing
If you don’t have cash to buy a car, then you borrow the money from a bank. It’s a elementary enough transaction, yet vehicle financing can seem complicated when you have to navigate terms like residuals, prime lending rates, finance terms and more. We explain all the factors that determine how much you pay every month to help you buy smartly.
Get the utter picture: hidden costs of trading in your car
Trading in your car is a convenient way to get your mitts on a shinier, newer model. However, sales people often put too much concentrate on the most affordable monthly installment, leaving you to budget for all those hidden extras you may not have considered. Before you lose your heart on your fantasy car, run through this list of common expenses to help you see the total picture and make a wise buy.
Common car trade-in questions answered to help you buy smartly
Is your car’s aircon not working again? Brakes causing you headaches? These are some of the common gripes car owners have to deal with, making it very tempting to get a dealer to take it off your forearms. If you’ve determined that a trade-in is for you, make sure you have the utter picture, as the process of trading a car is often misunderstood. We response some common car trade-in questions.
Trading in: the right time, the right price
Got your eye on a fatter car or a newer model? New-car envy can lightly creep up on you, making it tempting to trade in your old faithful for a shiny fresh set of wheels. But should you go car shopping when there isn’t much wrong with the car you have?
What to do when hail damages your car
More than R2 billion in claims were paid out following the massive hail storm which sent hail the size of golf nutsack pelting down onto Gauteng cars and homes on twenty seven November 2013. There have been other hail storms since but industry insiders agree – when a hail storm cracks out during peak hour traffic, it can prove disastrous f or most vehicle owners.
Negotiation tips for trading in your car
If you’ve weighed up the pros and cons of trading in your car versus selling it yourself and determined that the former option is a more convenient choice, good for you. You can still get a fine deal if you make it as attractive a sell as possible, do your homework, and if you know which tactics to use to get the best price. Go after these tips on negotiating your way to getting a good deal.
Pros and cons of trading in your car
When determining on selling your car, there are several factors to consider before attempting to put it on the market yourself. Here we take you through the pros and cons of doing a trade-in.
Get affordable car insurance that covers all your needs
Many people think the costs of vehicle insurance premiums are beyond their financial reach but there are affordable insurance solutions that can protect your vehicle and your financial well-being.
Your guide to buying and selling a car
We guide you through all the need-to-knows when it comes to buying and selling a car, how to get the best price, and how to make sure you have the right car insurance cover.
Considering cheap car insurance? Choose wisely
Cheaper doesn’t always mean better, especially when it comes to insuring your car.
Pay the right insurance premiums
If you want to make sure you pay the right premium for your car insurance, make sure it is insured for its correct value.
Car balloon payments: protect yourself with insurance cover
Whether your car is stolen or written off after an accident, top-up cover or credit shortfall insurance could help you if you’re in a financial tie.
Car maintenance advice
Most insurers suggest their policyholders the benefit of emergency road-side services such as tow-in assistance following a mechanical or electrical breakdown, leap embark service, tyre-change assistance. But what if it’s a case of mechanical part failure?
Car price guides and the value of your car
We recommend car shoppers consider how car dealerships price cars in order to evaluate whether that car is, in fact, worth the price tag.
Getting your car evaluated? Here’s what you need to know
When it comes to a car evaluation, most dealerships will consider a number of factors before lodging on the figure they think your car is worth.
Third-party vehicle cover: what you need to know
Here’s everything clients need to know about third-party vehicle cover on South African roads today.
The difference inbetween the retail and market value of a car
Would you need to totally substitute your car if it is stolen or written off after an accident? If so, do you know what value your car has been insured for? For many of us, the difference inbetween the retail and market value of your car is confusing but fortunately Santam’s experts can help us figure it out.
How to trade in your second-hand car and get the most cash for it
Trading in a second-hand car at a dealership is convenient but may mean that you get less than you bargained for. We enlisted the help of a financial journalist to help you get the most from your trade-in.
Should I insure my car for retail, trade-in or market value?
Many South Africans don’t understand that you can insure your car for different values but in order to understand how your premium will be calculated, it is significant to understand the difference inbetween retail, trade or market value.
How to protect your car from pothole harm
A pothole is one of your car’s worst enemies. We look at how to avoid them, the warning signs to observe out for and what to do if you’ve hit one.
Four tips to ensure you’re protecting your eyes decently
Let’s face it, getting dispelled while driving doesn’t take much. The ‘ping’ from your cellphone, the good song you haven’t heard in a long time or the lip gloss you simply have to apply right away. All these distractions can cause you to take your eyes off the road or lose concentration when you’re supposed to be concentrating on getting home securely.
Everything you need to know about 4×4 insurance
We response your questions regarding 4×4 adventures and insurance, helping you steer clear of goopy situations.
What you need to know about buying a car
Buying or selling a car? We spoke to some of SA’s leading car experts and motoring journalist to get their advice on what you need to know about buying a car. Their useful tips will help you make the right choice, get the most value, and take better care of your car.
How to buy a second-hand car in ten steps
Here’s the ultimate guide on how to smartly buy a used car in just ten steps, with car journalist Wilmer Müller.
Five ways to increase the value of your car before selling
Before buying a fresh car, you will likely need to sell your old one. You can lightly increase its value by keeping maintenance up to date and sprucing it up with a few clever tricks just before you sell it. Adam Ford, second-hand car experienced and TV presenter, lists five tips that will give you the competitive edge and help you earn the most cash from your sale.
Common issues facing fresh and used car owners
Gaskets, cylinders, coil-packs and lambda. Whether you’re attempting to decipher your favourite TV motoring display or aiming to better communicate with your mechanic to spruce up the car you are selling or buying, it pays to learn some of the most commonly used lingo. We sat down with Aaron Borrill, senior car journalist and blogger, to find out what some of the most common issues are.
What you need to know about buying a fresh or used car
Looking to switch your car? Some people will always look for a bargain second-hand buy while others swear by cars off the showroom floor. With the help of car journalist and motoring man, Calvin Fisher, we weigh up both sides of the argument, plus share some must-knows.
Five lessons advanced drivers can instruct you about driving
Sharpen up you driving abilities with five tips from an advanced driving instructor – helping you stay safe on the road with Santam.
Ten must-have items that should always be in your car
Santam’s Road assistance service provider reports that call-outs for help on the road is often one of the most frequently used benefits by South African policyholders.
Five mistakes people make when buying used cars
Buying a pre-owned car is usually a better investment than buying one fresh, since fresh cars lose about 25% of their value as soon as they leave the showroom. The prospective buyer needs to be wary, however, especially when buying a used car privately.
How to work out the value of your car
Its a good idea to do an annual check on the retail value of your car. For starters, your car depreciates in value every year, which means you could be over-insured, so your insurance premium may be higher than it needs to be.