Car hire insurance in South Africa, for cars collected at Cape Town Airport, starts with the standard insurance included in the rental. Standard insurance excludes four parts of the car and stops applying in two situations. Any higher level of cover, and what it adds, is described on each car's page, and that description is the one that applies to the car you book.
What does standard insurance not cover?
Standard insurance does not cover damage to the wheels, the undercarriage, the windscreen or the interior of the car. Those four are excluded on every car rented under the South African conditions. A chipped windscreen, a damaged tyre and a stained seat all fall outside it.
| Item | What the conditions say |
|---|---|
| Not covered | damage to the wheels, undercarriage, windscreen and interior |
| Cancels the insurance | an insured event not reported to the agent at once with a police report, unless agreed otherwise |
| Makes the insurance invalid | deliberate damage by vandalism or neglect |
| Always the driver's cost | fuel, parking, fines and tolls |
When does the insurance stop applying?
In two cases. First, after an insured event such as an accident or theft, you must notify the rental agent immediately and obtain a police report, unless the agent agrees otherwise; if you do not, the insurance issued for the car is cancelled and you are fully responsible. Second, the insurance is invalid for deliberate damage caused by vandalism or by neglect. Driving off paved public roads also breaks the rental conditions, because rental cars may travel only on paved roads.
Which cover levels can I choose on a Cape Town car?
Each car's page lists up to four levels, and shows the deposit that goes with each one.
| Level | Covers | Does not cover |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum coverage | collision damage caused to other vehicles (TPL) | collision damage to the hire car, glass and tyres |
| Basic coverage | limited collision cover for the car (CDW) and TPL | glass and tyres |
| Full Coverage | full coverage with limited driver liability (SuperCDW) and TPL, priced per day, on some cars only | |
| Full Coverage Plus | marked not available where a car does not offer it |
Basic coverage leaves out glass and tyres, the same windscreen and wheels that the country conditions exclude from standard insurance. Some cars also offer Theft Protection as a separate extra. The final price includes the cover and extras you select, so the total on the car already reflects the level you pick.
How do I compare cover between two cars?
Open each car in the search. The cover levels, the deposit for each level and the payment methods sit on the car's page, and the deposit also shows in the search results, so two cars can be compared before you choose. The description on the car is the one that applies, so read it for the car you book rather than relying on another car's terms.
Is the deposit the same as the insurance excess?
No. The advance you pay when booking goes towards the rental price; the deposit is a separate amount the car's terms require at pick-up; and the insurance conditions set what you are liable for after damage. The search shows each car's deposit, and a car that lists no deposit still has the standard exclusions. Ask the rental agent named on the voucher to confirm when a deposit is released, because no single release deadline applies to every car.
How is the deposit paid?
The car's page names the methods, and they differ between cars: some take the deposit on Visa, MasterCard or American Express, debit or credit; some take it in cash and refund it straight after drop-off; some list no deposit at all. Where a card is used, some cars require a physical, embossed credit card in the main driver's name; where a debit card is accepted, the booking and the voucher say so, and it must also be physical, personalised with embossed details and in the main driver's name. Cash is taken only in South African rand.
Who can drive the car under the cover?
The main driver, and any second driver added to the contract, must fit the car's age band and driving experience, shown on the car's page under Terms. On Cape Town cars the minimum age is 20, 21 or 25 and the maximum 70 or 80, and the licence must have been held for 2 or 3 years, depending on the car. The rental agent can refuse the car at pick-up if a driver does not meet them. A second driver is added as "The second driver in the contract" where the car offers it.
| Condition | Range |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 20, 21 or 25 |
| Maximum age | 70 or 80 |
| Licence held | at least 2 or 3 years |
| Second driver | added in the contract where the car offers it |
What should I do at the handover to protect myself?
When collecting the car at CPT, photograph every side of the car, the wheels, the windscreen and the interior before you drive off, and point out any existing damage to the rental agent. Standard insurance excludes damage to the wheels, the undercarriage, the windscreen and the interior. Do the same at the return, and keep the photographs until the deposit is back. Return the car clean enough to inspect: a car too dirty to check is washed at your expense.
What happens if I have an accident?
Call the rental agent on the number in your voucher straight away, and report the accident to the police to get a report, unless the agent tells you otherwise. The phone number you gave at booking must stay reachable throughout the rental, by call or by Viber, WhatsApp or Telegram, so the agent can reach you back. Fines and any tolls on the way remain yours.
Does the kilometre allowance affect the cover?
The allowance is a separate condition: each car's page shows its kilometre allowance for your dates, with a per-kilometre rate for any distance beyond it. Some cars offer Unlimited mileage as an extra. Add up the planned distance before choosing the car.
Does the cover change on a one-way hire?
The standard exclusions and the rule on reporting apply the same way on a one-way hire to George or Johannesburg as on a return to CPT. For the 1,426 km to O.R. Tambo, read the higher cover described on the car before booking, because the windscreen and the wheels sit outside Basic coverage for the whole distance, and compare the car's kilometre allowance with the full route and any detours.
Can I drive into another country with this cover?
Some Cape Town cars list a cross-border option for Lesotho and Eswatini, with its fee, among the extras on the car's page. The conditions for a hire car in South Africa ask you to tell the rental agent before you plan to leave the country, so the documents for the car can be completed in advance.