Again, the answer is no. Car insurance companies are not open 24/7. Like many companies, operational hours are typically Monday to Friday, 09h00 to 17h00. 

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But before you clutch your pearls in horror, you’ll be happy to know that some operations can extend to weekends and public holidays. Operational hours are adjusted to better assist you as a client with all your insurance needs and emergencies.

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And although the company may be closed after business hours, Pineapple offers a mobile application with a self-service function where clients can reach out in times of need. This way, clients don’t find themselves stranded without a solution.

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You can find it at your nearest Google Play Store, Apple iStore and Huawei AppGallery.

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The Pineapple app allows clients to generate a quote, activate a policy, file a claim, keep up-to-date with their policy, and access their policy documents. But wait, there’s more.

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Pineapple also offers you 24/7 roadside assistance and towing. So if you’re ever in a bind, simply log onto the app, search for the hotline numbers for these services, and in no time, a courageous hero will whisk you away to safety.

The short answer is no. A car insurance payout is not taxable. So any funds received are entirely yours to do with as you’d prefer. Yay for that! 

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With short-term insurance, the payout is tax-free when an incident occurs, your car sustains damages, or a loss happens to your car. The payout is a reimbursement for expenses you have already incurred.

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You've already suffered enough as a motorist who has suffered an accidental oopsie. The least your insurer can do is give you tax-free money for your troubles, no?

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With that said, keeping all the relevant documents related to your insurance claim is n good idea, especially in correspondence between you and your insurer. 

You can then share communication with SARS (The South African Revenue Service) should they require these records. And if there’s one thing you can count on about the taxman? He will be in your money business more than the noisest of next-door neighbours or greediest of distant relatives.

No, you cannot backdate car insurance. Although insurers aim to go above and beyond for their clients, even they cannot travel time. Or can they? 

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The answer remains no. Some things are outside of their capabilities, and backdating a policy is one of those things.  

An insurance policy can commence on any given day, provided the day is either in that present moment or on any particular date in the future.

Backdating an insurance policy is not an option simply because a policy cannot be bought retrospectively or to suit a time in the past because that time has already passed. 

For now, the only way to indulge in time travel is by enjoying a 2-hour viewing of the 1985 classic Back to the Future. Just leave your car and insurer out of it.

Jump for joy, hop for happiness and leap for laughter because car insurance covers repairs. 

The type of insurance you have determines the level of coverage you can receive. For example, repairs are usually covered under third-party coverage but are also taken care of by comprehensive coverage. 

So how do they differ? Well, think of it this way: third-party coverage is like wearing a helmet and knee and elbow pads. Comprehensive coverage is all that, and several layers of bubble wrap around you.

So if you ever jump off a short cliff, you’ll still be able to get up and walk away relatively unscathed. (Don’t try this at home, though. Or even at school. And not at the workplace, either. Seriously, it’s just an analogy!)

Comprehensive car insurance goes the extra mile of covering you, not only for collision-related incidents but also events like theft or hijacking, accidental damage as well as damage by fire, explosions and even natural disasters such as hailstorms and, of course, third-party cover.

Pineapple offers fully comprehensive cover and a low-mileage benefit that rewards motorists that drive under 300km/p called the Drive Less, Get Blessed benefit.

Hold on to your wigs and hairpieces because car insurance can refuse to pay out a claim. The horror!

Cases where an insurer can reject a claim or refuse to pay are if a client commits an act of fraud (failure to provide correct or complete relevant information). The other possibility would be if the client’s premiums have gone unpaid; thus, their cover is no longer in place or if the type of insurance does not cover the incident.

An accident caused by anyone other than the regular driver declared on the policy can also ground for refusal. 

Thankfully, Pineapple offers an open driver policy; a secondary driver need not be declared provided that the person in question is 1) 18 years or older, 2) holds a valid South African driver’s licence and 3) has received permission from the policyholder to drive the car, then they are covered!

In this case, should the non-regular driver cause an accident, the insurer will not reject the claim. However, a standard additional excess of R5850 may be applicable.

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So back to those earlier-mentioned secrets, sharing is caring.

There is no short answer to this question. Many factors go into calculating car insurance premiums. To look at each of these factors in isolation would be useless because they would not paint a complete picture of one’s risk profile.

Much like baking, we need to add all these ingredients together to bake a perfect premium.

Those ingredients are

• The make and model of the vehicle.

•  The age and driving record of the policyholder.

• The location where the vehicle is primarily driven and parked, not to mention the structure. 

• The level of coverage (comprehensive vs third-party).

• The licence type and issue date.

• History of car insurance.

Some insurers also consider marital status, employment status and credit score when compiling a client’s risk profile. And you thought your in-laws were demanding.

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Absolutely! "Affordable" varies for everyone. What's important? Value. Some policies might seem budget-friendly but could skimp on essential benefits. Always weigh the savings against potential risks. Want real value without the guesswork? Pineapple offers clear, transparent, and comprehensive options. Dive into our website, get acquainted, and grab a quote!

Your car, and your wallet, will thank you.

Looking for protection against financial loss in the event of an accident or theft, support in an emergency, protection against inflation, and coverage for damages caused by natural and man-made disasters? Comprehensive Car Insurance could be a perfect match for you.

Of the many laws in our wonderful country, having car insurance is not one of them. Car insurance is not mandatory nor a legal requirement in South Africa.

You can drive around freely (and responsibly!) on any of our pothole-riddled roads without a lick of insurance, and nothing will happen to you from a law perspective.

But before you speed off into the sunset, you might want to consider the number of road accidents that happen on our roads daily. Not to mention the countless vehicle thefts that have now become common. And did I say the pothole-riddled roads?!

Car insurance is a necessary evil. In moments of distress, when an accident happens and you need to pay for damages sustained, it is one of the only things standing between you and total financial loss. And I don’t know a single person who enjoys losing, do you?

Sure there is. 

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As previously stated, car insurance varies depending on your risk profile, the car you own and the type of coverage you choose. 

Cheap is such a ‘cheap’ word, and you deserve better than that, so let’s opt for affordable instead. It’s fancy, not unlike yourself. 

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Affordability is subjective; what one person considers expensive, a different person might not. 

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So, much like the 8th question in this list, it’s a matter of personal perspective.

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Car insurance companies can offer you a deal at prices that seem too good to be true, but often they’re exactly that. A cheap car insurance policy might mean sacrificing certain benefits, so it's essential to carefully consider your needs and the services you want from your insurer.

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After that, think about what your car is worth to you and how grateful you will be to yourself when a claim event happens, and you don’t cut any corners or compromise on cost at the expense of your cover. 

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Something tells us it’ll feel like a stadium full of fans clapping their approval, a blare of horns sounding your success and a shower of confetti signalling your victory!

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And that, dear reader, is our long but informative tale of car insurance and the frequently answered questions asked by the general public. 

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An informed individual is essential because they can make the right decision for themselves and their family. So never be afraid to ask questions, especially when your possessions come into play.

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It’s also crucial to be clued up on insurance terminology and to have a clear understanding of car insurance and how it works; this helps create trust between the insurer and the insured.

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Pineapple prides itself on its commitment to clarity, transparency and fairness. You’d be hard-pressed to find an insurer as forthcoming as this in the entire country (dare I say, even the whole world).

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Don’t believe us? See for yourself. Visit our website, filled with all the policy wording one might need, T’s and C’s, and even more FAQs. Like right now.

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Once you’ve done your research and when you are satisfied (notice we said when, because you will be), be sure to get a quote on your motor vehicle and start your cover today!

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*Pineapple (FSP 48650) is underwritten by Old Mutual Alternative Risk Transfer Insure Limited, a licensed Non-Life Insurer and authorised FSP. T&Cs apply.

The right car insurance boils down to your unique circumstances and preferences: your finances, vehicle value, and driving habits. For all-around protection, Pineapple's Comprehensive Car Insurance is hard to beat, covering theft, damages, natural disasters, and third-party liabilities. While it might cost more upfront, the peace of mind it offers is invaluable. Always choose coverage that aligns with your needs and budget.

The type of car insurance coverage that you need depends on one person and one person only. You, the policyholder. 

Only you know the ins and outs of your car insurance needs, which are also heavily influenced by your lifestyle. 

It’s a personal decision you need to make, considering your financial situation, the value of your car and its worth to you,  and your driving habits.

With that said, you can never go right with fully comprehensive coverage. As mentioned above, it covers you for theft and hijacking, accidental damage, damage by fire, explosions and natural disasters such as hailstorms, and third-party cover.

Although this policy might come in at a higher price than the third-party cover, the peace of mind it provides is priceless.

So, sit down, have an honest conversation with your wallet, and find out what works best for you.

From accidental damage, fire damage, to credit shortfall, Comprehensive Car Insurance covers it all. It also includes 24/7 emergency assistance, key replacement, protection against liabilities, and compensation based on the vehicle's retail value.

You'll receive compensation for the loss or damage in the form of a repair, replacement, or cash payout, based on your car's retail value at the time of the incident and at the insurance provider’s discretion. A courtesy car might also be provided while your claim is being sorted depending on your policy.

Most car insurance companies, including Pineapple, cover windshield and window damages. Whether it's from a rogue rock kicked up by a truck or an unexpected hailstorm, these unfortunate incidents are common. Thankfully, claims for these types of damages typically come with a lower excess. At Pineapple, our general car insurance excess might be *R6200, but the excess for windscreen and window protection is just R1250. It's both peace of mind and a great deal.

The simple answer is it depends on the kind of insurance you have, but typically, most car insurance policies do not cover a blown engine, even on a comprehensive plan. 

Insurers will cover you for everything from hijacking to hail damage, but a blown engine does not fall under cover of the proverbial insurance umbrella.

A blown engine is considered a mechanical failure, or wear and tear, and is part of the normal deterioration process of a car in use.

The only time car insurance will cover you for engine malfunction is if and when you opt for warranty cover. Car warranty is reserved for newer vehicles or those with low mileage.

So the more accurate answer would be no; most car insurance does not cover a blown engine. Sorry, cupcake.

The answer to this is usually a yes; most car insurance companies do cover you for damages to your car’s windshield as well as the windows. 

It’s almost scary how common it has become to hear of someone who sustained a cracked windshield from a stray rock that turned into a mini-missile under the weight of the wheels of a truck. 

You might have even suffered the same misfortune.

Or perhaps your car was parked in the open with no overhead structure when a sudden and heavy hailstorm came hurtling down onto your precious baby.

It’s in those instances that a windshield can suffer extensive damage. Rest assured, such events are covered by car insurance and at a lower excess. So, for example, Pineapple’s lowest payable car insurance excess is R4100, but the excess to protect your windscreen and windows is only R1175. Talk about a bargain!