Car Insurance Company Warns Drivers about Towing Dangers

December 17 - Drivers in South Africa are being urged by their car insurance companies to check their licenses very well to see whether they are entitled to drive a vehicle that is towing another heavy item behind it or not.

According to these insurance experts, new traffic laws in South Africa mean that not all drivers are entitled to tow things weighing over 750 kg - meaning that if the car they are driving is involved in an accident, they may very well have no car insurance coverage.

With the holiday season in full swing, most drivers think nothing of hitching up their caravans or trailers and taking to the roads, but the Head of National Brokers and Portfolio Management at Santam Insurance, Caroline da Silva warned: "If you do not have a valid drivers license stating you are permitted to tow a trailer or caravan exceeding 750 kg, you will be leaving yourself open to hefty fines and there is a danger that some insurers may not pay out should you be involved in an accident."

So how do South Africans obtain a license that allows them to pull heavy items. Da Silva said in order to be covered, drivers would need to redo their licenses - including their learners - which could "take anything up to a year to schedule with the traffic department".

Anybody who received a driver's license after 1998 under the new code system was only issued a code B, meaning that they could drive lightweight vehicles (normal motorcars) only. "As caravans normally exceed 750 kg, drivers with a B code may not tow a caravan behind their vehicles," said da Silva.

Santam encouraged drivers to check their licenses thoroughly so that they are definitely driving with the right code. "Only then can you be certain that your insurance covers any accident related damage," said da Silva.