In South Africa, drivers have a choice of whether to insure their vehicles or not. If you’re considering whether or not you need car insurance, it is best to begin with a discussion of what it is and what it does.

In its basic form, car insurance provides protection against financial losses incurred as a result of an accident, theft or damage to your vehicle. You and the insurer both have certain rights and obligations in the event of an accident, and these are spelled out in your contract, or policy.

In general, car insurance takes three forms.