Got one of these hijack 'hit list' cars? You'll want to read this...
How tracking devices impact your car insurance in South Africa, and why you should triple check the small print from your insurer.
702/CapeTalk's Stephen Grootes is joined by consumer journalist Wendy Knowler.
Listen below:
Car theft and hijacking remain front-of-mind concerns for motorists in South Africa, and it's common knowledge that certain vehicle models are frequently targeted by criminals.
Wendy Knowler points out that the stats on this type of crime have led insurers to take proactive measures to protect both their clients - and their own bottom line.
She's urging drivers to make sure they comply with their insurer's tracker requirements to avoid being left out of pocket (and out of a car).
"It goes very much on what the insurance statistics on theft and hijacking reveal in terms of what models are on the thieves' hit list."
- Wendy Knowler, Consumer Journalist
So, if you drive one the cars on the hit list, it could be that your insurer requires you to have not one, but two tracking devices installed.
And what if you don't? Well, that's where you could be in trouble.
"If you don't comply... if you haven't seen the email or whatever, they will just unilaterally cut your theft and hijacking cover. So you think you're covered for that big risk, but you're actually not!"
- Wendy Knowler, Consumer Journalist
Knowler received word of the 'hit list' cars according to local insurer Hollard - but warns that the list could have since been amended and that other insurers may have their own list.
"All models of Toyota Hilux from 2016 onwards, all models of Toyota Fortuners from 2016, Toyota Prados from 2018, Toyota Landcruiser from 2017, and Lexus from 2018 onwards."
- Wendy Knowler, Consumer Journalist
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the discussion.