Cheapest Family Cars to Insure in South Africa

Owning a car in South Africa can seem expensive – from petrol to maintenance, vehicles are not cheap. And added to the costs of having your own transport comes the expense of car insurance – which really is an essential add on.

All of this makes doing your research before you purchase a car very important. And if you’re looking to trade in your old skadonk that got you through your student years for a more family-friendly option, saving money will be a welcomed bonus.

This is why this list of the cheapest cars to insure in South Africa is here. So you can weigh the pros and cons of the cars you’re looking at while ensuring that you’re covered. From big family cars to single hatchbacks, here are a few cheap family cars to insure and an explanation of how to choose cars with affordable insurance.

Finding Lowest Insurance Group Cars – What Determines a Low Premium?

Before we can go and look for that one-of-a-kind Volkswagen Golf we’ve always wanted, we first need to understand why and how insurance premiums are calculated.

The wise thing to do would be to compare car insurance quotes in South Africa. Checking multiple companies and seeing which ones will give you the most comprehensive cover for the best premiums.

But before you do, there are a few universal factors that determine premium prices. Let’s take a look at these.

What determines insurance premiums?

The following criteria will help you find the lowest car insurance premiums out there:

• The car is less than 5 years old and considered to be sensible.
• The manufacturers have a factory in South African, which means readily available parts and service.
• The buyer, who is also the main driver, has previously been insured for over 5 years.
• The driver has a South African license and is an experienced driver.
• The vehicle will be parked in a secure space, either outdoors or undercover with locked gates.
• The vehicle is not a high-theft risk.

High-Risk Vehicles in South Africa

Owning a high-risk vehicle will undoubtedly mean your insurance premiums are higher. It may not seem fair, but for the insurance companies, it’s logical.

According to statistics, approximately 100 000 cars are stolen in South Africa every year, And some bear a bigger risk than others. Here’s a list of the most stolen cars in South Africa right now.

• Nissan Hardbody
• Nissan 1400
• Toyota Hilux
• Volkswagen Citi Golf
• Isuzu KB280
• Mitsubishi Colt
• Toyota KB 250
• Toyota Quantum
• Toyota Corolla
• Toyota Venture

As the statistics show, Toyota and Nissan are amongst the most sought after vehicles on the black market. This can play a role in the insurance premium markup.

High-Risk Places in South Africa That May Impact Your Premium

As mentioned above, the manner in which your vehicle will be parked, day or night, will have an effect on the safety aspect of the insurance evaluation. However, some areas in South Africa have been marked as high risk for theft.

According to Statistics SA, residents in some areas are inclined to pay a higher premium. We’ve compiled a list of the latest high-risk areas in South Africa that may affect your payment amount.

• Roodepoort, Gauteng
• Berea, Durban
• Brooklyn, Pretoria
• Sunnyside, Pretoria
• Stellenbosch, Western Cape
• Pretoria CBD
• Belville, Cape Town
• Booysens, Johannesburg

These statistics not only show the high risk areas for car theft, but also car break-ins. This may also have a great impact on your insurance premium due to safety concerns by the company.

Surprisingly Cheap Cars To Insure

If you don’t live in a high-risk area, you have a secure garage or park behind a locked gate, and your car is relatively new, you can get low insurance premiums. As long as you make sure you’re buying a car that fits within the ‘low insurance group.’

Cheapest Hatchbacks To Insure

The spacious hatchback had been a crowd favourite for many years. From budget-savvy students to parents, this compact and affordable vehicle design has proven itself to be very diverse and great for everyone. Here are a few of the cars with the lowest monthly premium and the lowest excess amount.

• Volkswagen Polo – 2009
• Ford Focus
• Ford Figo
• Hyundai I10
• Toyota Tazz
• Opel Corsa Lite

Volkswagen Golf

The Volkswagen Golf has been proven to be the cheapest hatchback cars with low insurance, considering monthly premiums and excess amounts. Models such as the 2009 CitiRox have some of the lowest insurance premiums in the industry. This is due to the readily-available parts and services.

Cheapest Saloon Cars to Insure

These bigger, more spacious family cars have always meant comfort and drivability. But, insuring a sedan can be a bit more expensive. We’ve researched some of the cheapest saloon cars to insure to make the hunt for the perfect affordable family vehicle easier.

The cheapest compact saloon cars to insure are:

• Toyota Corolla
• Toyota Auris

Toyota Tazz

The most recent Toyota Tazz model was released in 2006, making it one of the older cars on the list. This, however, plays a big role in the lower insurance premium, but the excess might be a tad higher than usual.

All the risk is diverted back to the driver, meaning that the lower monthly premium results in a higher excess in the event of an accident. But overall, the Toyota Tazz still remains the cheapest saloon car to insure in South Africa.

Cheapest SUV to Insure

In recent years, the market for affordable SUVs has grown, quickly making it a crowd favourite. These modest, yet spacious vehicles are perfect for the adventure-hungry traveller or the standard South African family.

They have also been among the surprisingly cheap cars to insure, making them perfect for the budget-conscious driver. Here are our two picks for the cheapest compact SUVs to insure in South African right now.

Suzuki S-presso 2020

This small and compact SUV has taken the world by storm after its release. Running on a 3-cylinder, 1.0-litre petrol engine, this vehicle is cheap to insure and maintain.

Renault Kwid

This entry-level crossover car has been marked as another industry favourite. Ticking most of the boxes required for affordable insurance premiums, like sensibility, safety and reliability, this car is the perfect choice for families.

Picking Out The Best Cars That Are Cheap To Insure

Being in the market for a new set of wheels is always exciting! But with that comes all of the important, not-so-exciting stuff like insurance. Don’t ignore it though, there are plenty of ways to easily find car cover and not end up paying more than you can afford.

There are many factors in play when it comes to determining insurance premiums and excess. Keeping these factors in mind when buying your family’s new car will save you money, and help keep your vehicle and its passengers covered in the case of an emergency.