How to recover a stolen car in South Africa using vehicle insurance

South Africa has one of the highest car theft rates in the world, with over 37,000 cars and motorcycles stolen in the 2021/2022 financial year. If your car is stolen, it can be a devastating experience, both emotionally and financially.

However, if you have vehicle insurance, you may be able to recover your stolen car and get it back on the road. In this blog post, we will discuss how to recover a stolen car in South Africa using vehicle insurance.

What types of vehicle insurance cover car theft?

There are three main types of vehicle insurance in South Africa: comprehensive cover, third-party, fire, and theft cover, and third-party only cover.

1. Comprehensive cover is the most comprehensive type of vehicle insurance and covers you for a wide range of events, including car theft, damage, and loss.
2. Third-party, fire, and theft cover covers you for damage to other people’s property and vehicles, as well as fire and theft of your own car.
3. Third-party only cover is the most basic type of vehicle insurance and only covers you for damage to other people’s property and vehicles.
4. If you want to be covered for car theft, you need to have comprehensive cover or third-party, fire, and theft cover. Third-party only cover will not cover car theft.

What to do if your car is stolen

If your car is stolen, the first thing you should do is report it to the police. You should also contact your insurance company immediately.

When you report the theft to your insurance company, they will need to know the following information:

1. The make, model, and year of your car
2. The vehicle identification number (VIN)
3. The licence plate number
4. The date and time of the theft
5. The location of the theft
6. Your insurance company will then begin the process of trying to recover your car. They will work with the police and other resources to track down your car.

How vehicle insurance companies recover stolen cars

Vehicle insurance companies use a variety of methods to recover stolen cars, including:

• GPS tracking: Many insurance companies install GPS tracking devices in their customers’ cars. This allows the insurance company to track the location of the car if it is stolen.
• Database searches: Insurance companies also have access to databases of stolen cars. This allows them to cross-check the VIN and licence plate number of your car against the database to see if it has been reported as stolen.
  
• Rewards: Insurance companies may also offer rewards for information leading to the recovery of stolen cars.
• What to do if your insurance company denies your claim

If your insurance company denies your claim, you have a few options:

1. You can try to negotiate with your insurance company.
2. You can file a complaint with the Financial Services Board (FSB).
3. You can take your insurance company to court.
4. Tips for increasing your chances of getting your stolen car back

There are a number of things you can do to increase your chances of getting your stolen car back, including:

• Have comprehensive or third-party, fire, and theft cover.
• Install a GPS tracking device in your car.
  
• Park your car in well-lit areas.
• Lock your car and take the keys with you.
• Report the theft to the police and your insurance company immediately.

Conclusion

If your car is stolen, having vehicle insurance can give you peace of mind knowing that you are financially protected. Vehicle insurance companies use a variety of methods to recover stolen cars, and by following the tips above, you can increase your chances of getting your car back.