Key Takeaways:
- Motor Warranties provide essential protection for older vehicles when manufacturer warranties expire.
- Comprehensive Car Insurance remains important but doesn’t cover mechanical breakdowns or component failures.
- South African drivers should consider vehicle age, mileage, and service history when choosing warranty cover.
- Bidvest Insurance offers tailored Motor Warranty solutions that protect your budget from costly mechanical failures.
If you’re driving an older vehicle in South Africa, you’ve likely wondered whether it’s worth maintaining insurance cover beyond the basic Comprehensive policy. Whilst your Car Insurance protects you against accidents, theft, and third-party liability, it doesn’t cover the mechanical breakdowns that become increasingly common as vehicles age.
This is where a Motor Warranty becomes invaluable. As your vehicle passes the five-year mark or exceeds 100,000 kilometres, the risk of mechanical failures rises significantly. Understanding which insurance products suit your older vehicle can save you from unexpected repair bills that could cost tens of thousands of rands.
Understanding the Difference: Car Insurance vs Motor Warranty
Many South African drivers confuse Comprehensive Car Insurance with mechanical warranty cover. These are fundamentally different products that serve distinct purposes.
Comprehensive Car Insurance
Comprehensive Car Insurance protects you against damage from accidents, theft, hijacking, fire, and natural disasters. It also covers your legal liability if you damage someone else’s property or injure another person. Car Insurance, however, specifically excludes wear and tear, mechanical failures, and electrical component breakdowns.
Motor Warranties (or Mechanical Warranties)
Motor Warranties (or Mechanical Warranties) fill this gap by covering the repair or replacement of mechanical and electrical components that fail due to defects or normal wear. This includes engines, gearboxes, and numerous other components that can fail as your vehicle ages.
For older vehicles, both types of cover remain important, but the Motor Warranty becomes increasingly valuable as Manufacturer Warranties expire.
Why Older Vehicles Need Specialised Insurance Cover
Vehicles depreciate rapidly in South Africa, with most cars losing 15-20% of their value in the first year alone. By year five, your vehicle may be worth less than half its original purchase price. Repair costs, however, don’t depreciate at the same rate.
A gearbox replacement can cost between R30,000 and R80,000, whilst engine repairs often exceed R50,000. These expenses can equal or surpass the value of your older vehicle, AND without a Motor Warranty, you’re personally responsible for these costs.
What Is a Motor Warranty and How Does It Work?
A Motor Warranty is an insurance product that covers the cost of repairing or replacing specific mechanical and electrical components when they fail. Think of it as an extension of your Manufacturer’s Warranty, providing continued protection after the original warranty expires.
When you purchase a Motor Warranty from Bidvest Insurance, you select a cover level that suits your vehicle and budget.
Combining Motor Warranty with Comprehensive Insurance
The optimal protection strategy for most older vehicles combines Comprehensive Car Insurance with a Motor Warranty. This dual approach provides complete financial protection against all major risks.
Your Comprehensive policy protects against collision damage, theft, hijacking, fire, natural disasters, and third-party liability claims. Your Motor Warranty simultaneously covers engine failures, gearbox issues, electrical system problems, and air conditioning breakdowns.
Together, these policies ensure you’re never left facing unexpected expenses that could prevent you from maintaining reliable transport.
What Does A Motor Warranty Cover?
A Mechanical Warranty from Bidvest Insurance keeps your wallet covered, when you need it most. You’re covered for various components, including:
- Engine components.
- Gearboxes.
- Steering mechanism.
- Suspension.
- Braking system
- Fuel system.
*Components covered are dependent on the Warranty Policy that your vehicle qualifies for. Please contact us for a full list of covered components.
How Much Does a Motor Warranty Cost?
With Bidvest Insurance, you can get a Motor Warranty from as little as R299 per month. The price will, however, depend on your vehicle model, age and mileage.
Get a personalised quote based on your specific vehicle and circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Get a Motor Warranty For a Vehicle Older Than 10 Years?
Yes. Bidvest Insurance, offers warranty products for vehicles up to 15 years old.
Do I Need Comprehensive Insurance if I Have a Motor Warranty?
Yes, these products serve different purposes and both remain important. Motor Warranties cover mechanical breakdowns, whilst Comprehensive Insurance protects your wallet against accidents, theft, and third-party liability claims.
What Happens if I Miss a Service Whilst Under Motor Warranty?
Missing scheduled services can void your warranty cover. Warranty providers require proof of regular maintenance. Always maintain complete service records and never skip scheduled maintenance.
Protecting Your Investment
Owning an older vehicle shouldn’t mean living with constant anxiety about unexpected repair bills. Motor Warranties specifically address the reality that mechanical components fail, providing essential protection that traditional Car Insurance doesn’t cover.
Don’t wait until you’re facing a R40,000 repair bill to wish you’d purchased a Motor Warranty. Complete the form below to get a Motor Warranty from Bidvest Insurance.
