Why 4x4 Insurance Varies From Car Insurance
Written by Susan Reynolds   
Friday, 09 July 2010 08:07
If you own a 4x4 you may have noticed that the insurance rates are higher than a car. This is because a 4x4 vehicle is quite different than a car and therefore incurs higher premiums. 4x4's have different features as well as different capabilities which have an effect on the insurance rate. You should know exactly what you're looking for and exactly how a 4x4 will affect insurance rates before you choose to buy a 4x4 or 4x4 insurance.
by SusanReynolds


If you own a 4x4 you may have noticed that the insurance rates are higher than a car. This is because a 4x4 vehicle is quite different than a car and therefore incurs higher premiums. 4x4's have different features as well as different capabilities which have an effect on the insurance rate. You should know exactly what you're looking for and exactly how a 4x4 will affect insurance rates before you choose to buy a 4x4 or 4x4 insurance.

While it depends what policy you have, most of the time car insurance is very basic in its coverage. In most cases it will cover the other driver and their vehicle. Other policies include your vehicle and even cover theft or weather damage. 4x4 vehicles are not much different in how they are insured however they are different in what happens in a crash scenario. When a crash happens a 4x4 vehicle will do more damage than a normal car would. Thus it makes your rates increase.

Another huge factor is that 4x4 vehicles are targeted for vandalism and theft more. This is especially true if you live in the city versus in the country. Since the insurance company has the city as a higher risk zone for theft you will pay more in insurance. It's best to live in a rural area where your high profile vehicle won't be as likely to be targeted.

Costs to fix 4x4 trucks and SUVs are much higher than the cost to fix regular vehicles. This is because parts are harder to find and repair. Insurance companies will look at this as an extra cost to insure your vehicle and will charge you more. If you have extra features added to your 4x4 that didn't come with the stock you will have to get extra insurance to have these repaired in case of an accident. Insurance companies won't voluntarily pay for these extra add-ons unless your policy specifically covers them.

Off road driving is the biggest difference between 4x4 and regular car insurance. This option lets you take your vehicle off of the road and through other terrains. If you damage your vehicle, which is fairly likely, the damages will only be covered if you have a specific policy with off-road insurance. A standard policy will become void for the time you drive off road, leaving you to pay the damages yourself. Prices will increase if you regularly participate in races or other all-terrain sports with your 4x4. Some people choose to get insurance for these events just for one day to reduce costs.

It's important to know that as with sports cars 4x4 vehicles will be more expensive naturally when it comes to insurance. The best thing you can do is to compare quotes from various companies and find the lowest rate. You can also greatly reduce the rate of your vehicle by having it just for a recreational vehicle. You will also want to read through the policies that each company offers. This is because some companies will cover some situations while others won't. If you plan on doing something besides driving your 4x4 vehicle you should ask your insurance agent what they can cover.

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Susan Reynolds is the webmaster for a leading South African Insurance Portal that provides consumers with the best Car Insurance Options.