Car Insurance Premiums by Province

Curious about who bears the brunt of car insurance costs in South Africa? Join us as we uncover the provinces where premiums soar and discover the factors driving these expenses for drivers across the nation.


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Car Insurance Premiums by Province

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The Average Car Insurance Premiums by Province

Here at Hippo, we’re good at comparing things. One of those things is car insurance costs by province in South Africa. The average premium you pay on your vehicle could vary depending on which province you live in.

Below, we looked at the average premiums that our insurance partners provide for quotes done per province. With this data, we found the most expensive (and cheapest) provinces for car insurance. This is not to say that a certain province is riskier. It may also have to do with the type of car and driver risk per province. And if you’re guessing Gauteng is the priciest … think again.

Average Monthly Premiums by Province : Based on Hippo Data

ProvinceAverage Premium
Limpopo R1,382
Gauteng R1,371
Mpumalanga R1,328
Northern Cape R1,321
NorthWest R1,319
KZN R1,289
Eastern Cape R1,274
Free State R1,217
Western Cape R980

Source: Hippo.co.za

  • Limpopo has the highest monthly car insurance premiums in South Africa at R1,382, closely followed by Gauteng at R1,371.
  • On the lower end, the Western Cape stands out with a notably lower average premium of R980
  • We see the other provinces spread out with fairly small differences, from Mpumalanga at R1,328 down to Free State at R1,217.
  • The data suggests that car insurance premiums are generally higher in the northern and more urbanised regions, while the Western Cape is an outlier with much lower average costs.

Why Are Car Insurance Premiums Different in Each Province?

Various factors influence the average insurance rates per province. Notably crime, traffic, and road conditions.

  • Crime rates: In provinces with higher rates of car theft or break-ins, insurers see more risk and, as a result, set higher premiums.
  • Traffic density: Urban areas like Gauteng have more vehicles on the road, which means a greater likelihood of accidents. More traffic often leads to higher premiums since there’s an increased chance of claims.
  • Road conditions: Provinces with well-maintained roads may see fewer accidents and damage-related claims, lowering premiums. In regions where roads are in poorer condition, insurers anticipate more wear and tear or even accidents, which can push premiums up.
  • Weather patterns: Areas prone to extreme weather, like heavy rain, hail, or flooding, can lead to more car damage, affecting premiums. Provinces with milder, more stable weather may have lower insurance costs.
  • Local driving culture: In some places, local driving habits or high levels of traffic violations might affect accident rates, pushing premiums higher. Where safer driving is common, insurance may be more affordable.
  • Access to repair facilities: Provinces with better access to repair services and parts may see lower premiums. If repairs are costly or limited, insurers factor that into premiums since claim costs could be higher.

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Why is Limpopo's Car Insurance More Expensive Than Gauteng?

With the above factors in mind, you may still be wondering why Limpopo Car Insurance is more expensive than, say, Gauteng?

Insurers take a myriad of factors into consideration when setting premiums, but the below factors may be why Limpopo has higher premiums.

Though Gauteng has the highest vehicle crime rates and high traffic density, Limpopo has:

  • More rural roads and thus accident risks: Limpopo’s many rural and remote areas have roads that may not be as well-maintained as those in urban regions.
  • The R71 Mankweng: One of South Africa's most dangerous roads in terms of the number of crashes and fatalities over the last 5 years is in Limpopo. The R71 Mankweng is a critical road for long-distance commuters and is frequented by truck drivers, taxis, and private vehicles.
  • Limited access to repair facilities: In some areas of Limpopo, repair facilities may be harder to access or more costly than in a highly developed province like Gauteng.
  • Higher theft and hijacking rates in specific areas: Some regions in Limpopo may experience higher rates of vehicle theft or hijackings, even if the overall crime rate is lower than in Gauteng.
  • Lower traffic density but risky conditions: While Gauteng has more vehicles, Limpopo's driving conditions may involve more high-speed rural travel, which can lead to severe accidents.

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Why Car Insurance Premiums Vary by Province

Not all locations are equal when it comes to risk. Here’s how where you live affects your premium:

Risk factors like traffic density, accident stats, theft rates, and even local repair costs vary by province, impacting your premium.

Gauteng tops the list due to high traffic volumes, theft, hijackings, and accident rates in cities like Johannesburg and Pretoria.

Generally, the Western Cape (outside of Cape Town), Free State, and Northern Cape have lower premiums thanks to less congestion and crime.

Yes. Rural residents in high-risk provinces may benefit from lower premiums than urban dwellers, due to reduced accident and theft rates.

Factors include vehicle type, age, security features, your claims history, age, and your chosen cover level (e.g., comprehensive vs third-party).

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