Costs & premiums
Car insurance cash back and rewards compared
By CarInsureZA editorial team · 7 min read · Updated 29 September 2026
Several South African insurers pay part of your premium back if you do not claim, and a few reward good or low-mileage driving instead. The schemes differ a lot: some are standard, some cost extra, and the waiting period runs from one month to four years.
This page compares the schemes as each insurer described them on its own website on 29 September 2026. A cash back only pays if you stay claim-free and keep your cover running, so weigh it against the premium itself.
Claim-free cash back schemes compared
| Insurer | Scheme | What you get back | When | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget Insurance | Cash Back Bonus | 15% of premiums paid, then 10% | After 2 claim-free years, then after 2 more, then every claim-free year | Optional, extra cost (source) |
| MiWay | Micashback | 10% of premiums | Every 2 claim-free years | Included; premiums must be paid in full and on time (source) |
| OUTsurance | OUTbonus | 10% of paid premiums | After 3 claim-free years, then after 2 more, then every claim-free year | Standard on personal car cover (source) |
| Santam | Santam CashBack (launched 1 July 2026) | 10% of qualifying premiums | After 3 claim-free years, then annually | Automatic enrolment (source) |
| Dialdirect | Payback Bonus | First year's premium or 25% of 4 years' premiums, whichever is less | Every 4 claim-free years | Optional, extra cost (source) |
| iWYZE | Cash Back Bonus | 10% of premiums | Every 3 claim-free years | Listed as an optional offer (source) |
Driving and mileage rewards
- Discovery Insure Vitality Drive: on the Essential, Classic and Purple plans, choose fuel cash back of up to R1,500 a month at bp or Shell (or Gautrain top-ups), or Discovery Miles. Claim-free clients who keep a Diamond Vitality Drive status qualify for a 0% renewal increase on their comprehensive premium. The R1,500 maximum dates from Vitality Drive 3.0 in June 2023, so it is not new this year. (discovery.co.za)
- Pineapple Drive Less, Get Blessed: drive under 300 km in a full calendar month and get roughly 30% of that car's monthly premium refunded, provided a Tracker telematics device is fitted. (help.pineapple.co.za)
- Naked CoverPause: pause the accident part of comprehensive cover while the car is parked safely at home, for up to 50% off the premium. (naked.insure)
- King Price: no cash back on the pages we checked. Its pitch is a premium that drops each month as the car depreciates, plus R1,000 per referred friend who takes a policy of at least R650 a month. (kingprice.co.za)
How to judge whether a cash back is worth it
A cash back is a discount you get later, and only if nothing goes wrong. Before you pick an insurer for its bonus:
- Compare the premium first. 10% back after three years is worth less than a premium that is 10% lower every month from day one.
- Check whether it costs extra. Budget's and Dialdirect's schemes are optional benefits you pay for.
- Read what resets the clock. A claim usually restarts the cycle. Budget says only certain claims reset it, so ask which ones.
- Do not skip small claims to protect a bonus without doing the maths. If the repair costs less than your excess plus the bonus you would lose, paying yourself can make sense. Our no-claim bonus guide shows how to work it out.
- Keep cover continuous. Every scheme above needs uninterrupted cover. Cancelling or switching mid-cycle usually forfeits it.
Where to go next
- Compare starting premiums on our cheapest car insurance page.
- See how telematics devices change your premium in our telematics guide.
- Find every insurer's quote and claims numbers on the contact numbers page.
Frequently asked questions
Which car insurance gives the most cash back in South Africa?
On the schemes we checked, Budget's optional Cash Back Bonus pays the highest first percentage, 15% after two claim-free years, but it costs extra. MiWay pays 10% every two years. Compare the premium as well as the bonus.
Is OUTbonus automatic?
OUTsurance describes OUTbonus as standard on personal car cover: 10% of paid premiums back after three claim-free years, then after two more, then every claim-free year.
Does Santam have a cash back?
Yes. Santam CashBack launched on 1 July 2026. It pays 10% of qualifying premiums after three claim-free years, then annually, and car insurance qualifies.
Do I lose my cash back if I claim?
Usually the cycle restarts after a claim. The rules differ by insurer, so check which claims reset it before you claim for something small.
Is Discovery's R1,500 fuel cash back new?
No. The up to R1,500 a month maximum came in with Vitality Drive 3.0 in June 2023. It is available on the Essential, Classic and Purple plans.
