Car Insurance

CAR INSURANCE BOTSWANA

Choose your type of car insurance! We make it easy for you to understand the car insurance and select the best option for your trip.

Insure your rental vehicle
In Botswana and many other African states, you are not obliged to insure your rental vehicle. This is different to the European standards where car insurances are required by European policies. European insurances such as “Full Casco” or “All Risk” are simply not known nor commonly applied in Botswana or Namibia.

With some travel insurances it is possible to insure damage to the vehicle which are not covered by the car insurance of the rental company. Some credit card companies also cover possible damages. We strongly recommend that you inform yourself well and in advance about the different insurance policies and options.

All rental cars have a standard third-party and traffic accident* insurance, for 90% of the car’s value. The renter/client is responsible for the excess – the remaining 10%. This 10% excess needs to be guaranteed for by being blocked on a credit card (VISA or Mastercard) before the rental car is handed over.

The guarantee can be spread over different credit cards, as long as all the credit cards are on the main booker’s name. This block (guarantee) is released automatically when the car is returned without any damages. In addition to the general exclusions, terms & conditions, glass damage and tyre damages are not covered by this insurance and will be the responsibility of the renter.

There is an option to reduce the 10% excess at an additional fee per rental day;

The available reduction options:

Reduced excess amounts help in case of an accident, especially when a third party is involved. All damage to the rented vehicle as well as third party damage, above the value of the choses excess, is covered.

Important: Reduction 1 and 2 exclude cover of damage to tyres and windows; and excludes cover of damages as a result of single vehicle accidents and/or sandstorms.

Additionally to the cover of reduction 1 or 2, reduction 3 also covers:

Damages as a result of negligence, such as speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, etc. are never covered.

​Important: Reduction 3 can NOT be compared with the European “Full Casco” or “All Risk” insurances, where all damages are covered regardless of the cause or personal guilt. This kind of insurance policies are not applied in Namibia.

Any accident not involving a third party are considered single vehicle accidents. Losing control over the vehicle and subsequently rolling the car over, or bumping a tree while reversing the car are examples of single vehicle accidents.

Damages (excluding chosen excess) are covered where:

The applied definition of a traffic accident is: an accident with the vehicle where another vehicle, person/pedestrian or animal is involved.

Important: accidents without involvement of other parties, e.g. rolling the car as a result of losing control – even when trying to e.g. avoid hitting an animal crossing the road, is not covered with Reduction 1 or 2.

Negligence, for this purpose, means a failure to act correct legally or failure to adhere to general regulations and practices. Insurances companies will not cover any damages as a result of, for example:

Damages not covered by the insurance company:

In certain areas, the offered 24-hour backup service is not valid. These areas are often more difficult to reach and as renters chose to stray from the main roads, towing costs are on the renter’s account. Of course, assistance will be sent as soon as possible, but it may take some more time than usually.

These specific areas are: Kaokoland and Bushmanland in Namibia, all parks and surrounding areas in Botswana, whole of Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique and Malawi.

In case the vehicle gets stolen, only the excess value of the car is retained. Costs above the excess are covered by the insurance as long as negligence can be excluded, the vehicle was locked and the client can present the original car keys.

The minimum profile of the tyres is 6 mm (3 mm for spare tyres). Tyre damage is not covered (1 tyre only with reduction 3). Punctured or otherwise damaged tyres can either be fixed or replaced with a new one. The cost of the damaged tyre will be determined by its profile depth, and a replaced tyre’s costs will also be taken into account when calculation total damage costs.

In case of a sandstorm, stop the car immediately and try to look for a temporary shelter. If this is not at all possible, then continue driving at very low speed. Damages caused by a sandstorm are not covered by the insurance. Sandstorms mostly occur at the coast and in case of east wind.

It is compulsory to obtain a full police report in order to claim any damages from the insurance. And it is always advisable to take pictures if possible.

Towing cost related to any form of accident is always on the renter’s account.

The administrative costs related to an insurance claim or any damages, called ‘claim handling fees’, are to the renter’s account.

With some (travel) insurance companies, it is possible to get additional insurance for damages to rental vehicles, which are not covered by the standard insurance of the car hire company. Also, some credit card companies offer these additional insurances. We advise you to inform yourself and organize this in advance should you want to make use of these.

For more information, please also read through the insurance policy as well as the terms and conditions supplied by the car rental company.

Important: refer to the definition of traffic accidents, which is dealt with by the insurance company, also considering negligence and the exclusions.