You know how it goes… You buy a new car, but the old faithful doesn’t get the heave-ho. She remains parked in the garage, ‘just in case.’ Maybe you plan to give it to your teen when they finally get their licence, or it’s your trusty backup for when your main ride needs a service. Whatever the reason, if your second car spends more time parked than driven, you might wonder whether it really needs full insurance cover.
Spoiler alert: It does. And here’s why.
Parked cars can still be at risk
Even when your car is stationary, it’s not immune to life’s little surprises. Fires, floods, theft, and even an unexpected garage mishap can cause damage to a parked car. Without comprehensive cover, those costs fall squarely on your shoulders.
Think of it like this… You wouldn’t leave your castle’s gate open just because no one’s visiting, right? The same logic applies to your parked car, in that you shouldn’t leave it totally unprotected just because you’re not taking it out for a spin often.
Backup your backup
Many South Africans assume that if a second car isn’t being used, it can simply be added under another policy or covered by an existing insurance policy. But that isn’t quite how it works. Each car requires its own policy because it carries its own unique risk profile, value, and registration details.
At King Price, each car’s premium is tailored to its actual value and how often it’s used. That means if your second car only hits the road occasionally, you could pay less than you expect.
So, even if it spends most of its time chilling in the shade, it can still enjoy royal protection without breaking the bank.
When limited cover might make sense
If your car truly never leaves the driveway, you could explore cover options that focus on theft, fire, and natural damage, instead of the more expensive full comprehensive protection.
We’ve got third party, fire and theft car insurance, which is a handy middle-ground option that still gives peace of mind while saving a few rands. Just note that you won’t be covered for damage to your car or property if you do get into an accident.
You could also explore the cheapest policy we have, which is our third party only car insurance. This royal stalwart of the kingdom protects you from paying for damage to other people’s cars and property if your car is involved in causing the damage.
What we’d say here, whichever option you choose, is that you should please be honest about how the car is used. If you suddenly start driving it again without updating your insurer, you could run into problems if you need to claim.
Keeping it in the family
Planning to hand over your second car to a new driver soon? Before you toss them the keys, check whether they’re covered to drive it. King Price policies are flexible, allowing you to easily add a regular driver to your policy. It’s 1 less thing to worry about while you’re still teaching them to parallel park without panic.
At the end of the day, even a car that mostly collects dust deserves proper cover. Whether it’s parked, pampered, or passed down, the king can make sure it’s protected.
After all, it only takes 1 unexpected incident to turn a ‘just parking’ car into a very expensive problem. So why not keep it covered and keep your kingdom calm?
Here’s how you can get in touch with us to cover your car:
- Online: Use our self-service portal or mobile app.
- WhatsApp: Chat with us by WhatsApping 0860 50 50 50
- Call: Speak to our friendly and knowledgeable consultants by calling 0860 50 50 50.
Psst… This blog provides general info only, and doesn’t count as financial or product advice from King Price or our legal and compliance experts. Remember, all our premiums are risk-profile-dependent, and T’s and C’s apply. Our most up-to-date KPPD (policy wording) can always be found here.
Our website T’s and C’s can be found here. King Price Insurance Company Ltd is a licensed non-life insurer and registered financial services provider. (Reg no. 2009/012496/06 | FSP no. 43862)
FAQs
1. Does a parked car still need insurance?
Yes. Even when parked, your car can be damaged by theft, fire, or natural events, so comprehensive car insurance will ensure that you’re protected.
2. Can I pay less if I rarely drive my second car?
Absolutely. King Price calculates premiums based on value and usage, so infrequently driven cars often cost less to insure.
3. What type of insurance is best for a car that is rarely driven?
Comprehensive cover is still ideal, because accidents happen to anyone at any time (as does theft and other damage), but for the budget-conscious, there are third party car insurance options you can look at.
4. Can my child drive my second car under my policy?
Yes, if they have a valid driver’s licence, you can add them as a regular driver to your King Price policy.
5. What happens if I start using my parked car more often?
Let us know right away. We will update your policy so that your cover matches your usage and you stay fully protected.