TL;DR – Our version of “I’m not reading all that, *SparkNotes pls.”
- SASRIA is a state-owned insurer in South Africa that provides cover for special risks, including riots, strikes, civil unrest, terrorism, and public disorder.
- SASRIA protects businesses, homeowners, and drivers from financial loss caused by unrest or mass action.
- Unlike SASRIA, standard insurance policies don’t cover damage caused by political or socially motivated actions.
- SASRIA covers damage to your car, not items stolen from inside the vehicle. It also doesn’t cover accidents, normal theft, weather damage, mechanical issues, or DUI-related damage.
- SASRIA cover is R26.23 annually, which is just R2.62 per month.
If you’re a South African motorist who’s ever gotten a car insurance quote, you may have heard the term SASRIA.
Either it’s listed as a benefit of your cover. Or the sales agent uses it as a bargaining chip to get you to take up the insurance policy.
But what is SASRIA?
Do you really need the cover, or is it just an unnecessary and expensive add-on?
Read on to discover what SASRIA is and why your car insurance cover isn’t complete without it. Spoiler alert: SASRIA is essential in a country like South Africa, where protests, strikes and that infamous looting spree can spring up overnight.
This Pineapple guide explains what SASRIA is, how much it costs, what’s covered and what isn’t, and how to claim through SASRIA instead of your insurance provider.
What Is SASRIA?
SASRIA, short for the South African Special Risks Insurance Association, is a state-owned non-life insurer. It protects against damage caused by riots, strikes, protests, terrorism, and public disorder to people, businesses, and government or corporate entities with assets in South Africa.
SASRIA cover is not compulsory. But remember the last time a political figure was imprisoned?
Yeah, it didn’t go so well for shop owners nationwide. Thankfully, any valid claims arising from the damage and looting during the 2021 KZN and Gauteng riots were handled by SASRIA.
Standard car insurance policies typically don’t cover the above perils.
That’s why SASRIA was created to protect South African drivers during political or social unrest, where damage can happen on a large scale.
You can buy SASRIA cover through insurance companies and providers, like Pineapple. You can also arrange for SASRIA cover for your assets through a broker.
What SASRIA Covers for Car Owners
So, you might’ve missed the morning news bulletin, which announced a strike happening on your usual route to school, work or wherever. Next thing you know, you’re smack-dab in the middle of a protest, and your car’s in the direct line of fire.
Thankfully, there’s SASRIA for that.
SASRIA covers damages caused by unrest-related events. This includes:
- Protest and strike-related incidents
- Riot-related car damage
- Loot-related damage
- Terrorism-related damage
- Public disorder
An important distinction to note is that SASRIA covers damages to the car, but not any items inside the vehicle.
What SASRIA Does Not Cover
Here’s a list of some perils and events NOT covered under SASRIA:
- Accidents
- Theft (of the vehicle) unrelated to civil unrest
- Mechanical breakdown/Wear and tear
- Reckless or negligent driving (driving under the influence)
Basically, any damage that isn’t a result of civil unrest is more of a standard insurance claim and won’t fall under SASRIA’s cover.
How SASRIA Works with Your Car Insurance
SASRIA is usually included in your comprehensive car insurance policy.
According to SASRIA’s Updated Rates Schedule, the cover is a mere R26.23 annually for private/domestic vehicles. So, all that protection against strikes and riots for just R2.62 per month!
If unrest or protest action happens, your insurance provider will submit the claim to SASRIA on your behalf. SASRIA will assess the claim’s validity and pay it out according to its rules.
SASRIA Excess Amounts
Excess payments and assessments may differ slightly from standard claims. In some cases, the excess fee may work out to be a lot cheaper than your insurance policy’s excess.
When to Claim from SASRIA vs. Your Insurer
You can claim for regular incidents like accidents, weather-related damages (hail, flood, etc.), or theft through your insurer. But, for damages caused by unrest, that’s SASRIA all the way.
So, if your car is damaged:
- during a riot
- torched during a protest demonstration
- hit by a stray rock or stone during a strike
You can claim from SASRIA.
But, if you’re still confused about who covers what, your insurance policy documents can guide you on whether your claim falls under SASRIA or your standard comprehensive car cover.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SASRIA?
SASRIA (the South African Special Risks Insurance Association) is a state-owned non-life insurer that provides special risk protection to all individuals, businesses and asset owners in South Africa. SASRIA provides cover against damages caused by riots, strikes, terrorism and public disorder. These perils are typically not covered by most standard insurance policies.
Is SASRIA compulsory?
SASRIA is an optional benefit, meaning it’s not compulsory. But, in the case of car insurance, it’s typically automatically added to your insurance policy. This is due to the risk posed by protest action, which is common in South Africa.
How much does SASRIA cost?
According to SASRIA’s Updated Rate Schedule (effective 1 October 2025), SASRIA cover is R26.23 annually, which is just R2.62 per month. Excess amounts may differ from standard claims and are handled in accordance with SASRIA’s rules.
What is the difference between SASRIA cover and regular car insurance?
A comprehensive car insurance policy covers standard perils like theft, accidents, third-party incidents, weather-related damage, and fire. SASRIA, on the other hand, covers special risks like damage caused by strikes, riots and civil unrest.
How can I file a claim with SASRIA?
You can submit your claim directly to your insurance provider for damage caused by strikes, riots, protests, terrorism, or other forms of civil and social unrest. They assess the claim, submit it to SASRIA on your behalf, and SASRIA will then make a decision and payout if the claim is deemed valid.
Conclusion
A social media user once joked about how they’d hate living in a city with superheroes. The fights are epic. But so is the destruction to the citizens’ personal property.
We’ll think of SASRIA as that: protection for your assets if they were to ever get caught in the crossfire between angry protesters and the government.
SASRIA protects South African drivers against damage caused by riots, protests, strikes, terrorism, and civil and social unrest. These risks don’t come standard in most comprehensive insurance policies; that’s why you need SASRIA’s protection.
Read your insurance policy documents to confirm that this priceless protection is part of your cover. Do it before the next strike happens.
If you wait too long, it might be too late. Then, you’d have to pay thousands of rands for damages you didn’t even cause.
To learn more about this topic, read our guide aptly titled ‘What Does My Policy Really Cover (and What Is Excluded)?’
Speaking of guides, be sure to also check out our Car Insurance Claims, What the FAQ guide.
Please Note: The information provided above is for informational purposes only; you should not construe any such information as legal or financial advice.
Pineapple (FSP 48650) is underwritten by Old Mutual Alternative Risk Transfer Insure Limited, a licensed Non-Life Insurer and authorised FSP. T&Cs apply.
