Being involved in an accident is a traumatic experience. The last thing you need, while your hands are still shaking, is a tow truck operator attaching a hook to your car before you’ve had a chance to make a single call. Yet it happens every day on South African roads, and it can cost you thousands of rands that your insurer will not reimburse.
If you’re insured with King Price, free towing and storage is part of your cover. The catch? It only applies when you use a King Price approved supplier. Call first. Always.
Key Takeaways
- King Price comprehensive car insurance includes free towing and storage, but only through approved suppliers.
- You must call 0860 50 50 50 before your car is towed, or you become personally liable for the costs.
- The King Price 'Do Not Tow' sticker tells other parties your vehicle is under the king's protection and must not be moved by unauthorised towers.
- Predatory towing operators target accident scenes and can charge exorbitant fees that run into the tens of thousands.
- Keeping your 'Do Not Tow' sticker visible and the emergency number saved in your phone are the two simplest ways to protect yourself.
Why unauthorised towing costs you money
South Africa has a well-documented problem with predatory towing. Operators monitor emergency radio frequencies, arrive at accident scenes uninvited, and attach themselves to your vehicle before you’ve processed what’s just happened. Once your car is on the hook, the meter is running, and those costs are yours to carry.
Your insurer, King Price included, will only cover towing costs incurred through approved, contracted suppliers. If you allow an unauthorised operator to tow your car, that bill lands in your lap. There is no grey area here.
- Approved supplier
- A towing or repair company that has been vetted and contracted by King Price Insurance to meet quality and pricing standards. Using an approved supplier is a condition for claiming towing and storage costs under your policy.
King Price includes free towing and storage as part of comprehensive car insurance, subject to the use of approved suppliers.
What the ‘Do Not Tow’ sticker actually does
Every King Price client receives a ‘Do Not Tow’ sticker to keep in their car. It serves two purposes. First, it carries the King Price emergency number, 0860 50 50 50, so you always have it to hand even when your mind is elsewhere. Second, it signals clearly to tow truck operators and other parties at the scene that your vehicle is under the king’s protection and must not be moved by any unauthorised company.
The sticker is a deterrent, not a force field. A determined operator may still try their luck. That’s why awareness matters as much as the sticker itself. If you’re conscious and able after an accident, your first call should be to 0860 50 50 50, before anyone touches your car.
After an accident, your mind is racing and you're worrying about a million other things. But try to be aware of what's happening. Tow truck operators can circle and swoop, and before you know it your car has been hooked and the money meter has started rolling.
Why King Price uses its own approved towing network
King Price’s approved towing suppliers are contracted because they meet the same standards of care and service that King Price holds itself to. When your car is towed by an approved operator, King Price knows it will be handled correctly, stored securely, and moved to an approved repairer without unnecessary delays or inflated fees.
When an unknown operator tows your car, King Price has no visibility, no control, and no contractual relationship with that company. The quality of handling, the storage conditions, and the fees charged are entirely outside the king’s jurisdiction, which is exactly why the cover doesn’t extend to them.
King Price's approved supplier network is vetted to ensure quality handling, fair pricing, and secure storage of vehicles after an accident.
Approved vs unauthorised towing: what the difference looks like in practice
| Factor | King Price approved supplier | Unauthorised operator |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to you | Covered by your policy (free) | Paid by you, can run into tens of thousands |
| Quality of handling | Vetted and contracted standard | Unknown, no accountability |
| Storage security | Approved, secure facility | Unknown, risk of further damage or theft |
| Repairer handover | Directly to a King Price approved repairer | May delay repairs or create disputes |
| Your liability | None (subject to policy conditions) | Full cost falls on you |
What to do immediately after an accident
What to do after an accident as a King Price client
Follow these steps to protect yourself, your car, and your claim after a road accident in South Africa.
- Supplies:
- King Price 'Do Not Tow' sticker (in your car)
- Your King Price policy schedule (in your app or email)
- Tools:
- Your mobile phone
Check for injuries first
Before anything else, check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 10111 (police) or 10177 (ambulance) immediately.
Move to safety if possible
If the vehicle is drivable and it is safe to do so, move it out of oncoming traffic. Switch on your hazard lights.
Call King Price on 0860 50 50 50 before your car is touched
This is the most important step. Call King Price before any tow truck operator moves your vehicle. Press 9 for emergency assistance. King Price will dispatch an approved towing supplier.
Do not sign anything from an unauthorised operator
If an uninvited tow truck arrives, do not sign any authorisation forms. Politely but firmly decline and wait for the King Price approved supplier.
Gather information at the scene
Take photos of the damage, the other vehicle(s), the scene, and any injuries. Get the other driver's name, ID number, vehicle registration, and insurer details.
Report the incident within 30 days
All incidents must be reported to King Price within 30 days. Log your claim via the Self-Service Portal at ssp.kingprice.co.za or call 0860 50 50 50.
The numbers behind the problem
Predatory towing in South Africa: scale and impact
Predatory towing is a widespread problem at South African accident scenes, with unregulated operators charging storage and towing fees that can accumulate to tens of thousands of rands within days, often targeting distressed motorists who are unaware of their rights or their insurer's approved supplier network.
Predatory towing operators in South Africa target accident scenes, arriving uninvited and attaching vehicles before motorists can contact their insurers, resulting in bills that insurers are not obligated to cover.
Get covered, and get protected
Free towing and storage is just one of the benefits built into King Price comprehensive car insurance. If you’re not yet insured with King Price, or you want to check that your current cover includes towing, get a quote in under three minutes.
Get an instant online quote at ssp.kingprice.co.za, or request a callback at insurance.kingprice.co.za.
And once you’re covered, save 0860 50 50 50 in your phone right now. Not after the accident. Now.
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Yes. King Price comprehensive car insurance includes free towing and storage, but only when you use a King Price approved supplier. You must call 0860 50 50 50 before your car is towed. If an unauthorised operator tows your vehicle, you will be personally liable for those costs.
The ‘Do Not Tow’ sticker serves two purposes. It displays the King Price emergency number (0860 50 50 50) so you always have it accessible, and it signals to tow truck operators at the scene that your vehicle must not be moved by any company other than a King Price approved supplier.
If your car is towed by an operator not approved by King Price, you become personally responsible for all towing and storage costs. King Price will not reimburse these costs because it has no contractual relationship with the unauthorised operator and cannot verify the quality or pricing of the service.
All incidents must be reported to King Price within 30 days of the event. You can report via the Self-Service Portal at ssp.kingprice.co.za, through the King Price app, or by calling 0860 50 50 50.
Do not sign any authorisation forms and do not allow the operator to hook your vehicle. Politely but firmly decline, display your ‘Do Not Tow’ sticker, and call King Price on 0860 50 50 50 immediately so an approved supplier can be dispatched.
Free towing through King Price’s approved supplier network is a benefit of comprehensive car insurance. Third party only and third party, fire and theft cover options do not include the same towing benefit. Check your policy schedule to confirm exactly what is included in your specific cover.
Yes. You can get an instant online quote at ssp.kingprice.co.za/?kpcid=20000588, or request a callback from a King Price advisor at insurance.kingprice.co.za. Quotes take under three minutes.
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