Santam car insurance: review, contact numbers and claims

Santam car cover comes in three tiers. Core is the most affordable, with the basics plus optional extras. Classic is the most popular and gives fully comprehensive cover for your car, building and contents under one policy. Executive is tailor-made for high-net-worth clients.

You can get Santam car cover directly (online quote in about 60 seconds, Santam Direct on 0860 444 444, or a call-me-back form) or through an accredited broker who helps set the sum insured and add-ons. Santam does not insure vehicles registered outside South Africa.

• Santam car cover comes in three tiers: Core (most affordable, basics plus optional extras), Classic (most popular, fully comprehensive cover for car, building and contents under one policy) and Executive (tailor-made, high-net-worth). (santam.co.za)
• Santam CashBack: car insurance is a qualifying product; you earn 10% back if you stay claim-free for the first 36 months and pay premiums in full and on time, then it switches to annual 12-month cycles. A qualifying claim ends the cycle and a new 3-year cycle starts. (santam.co.za)
• SmartPark: a premium saving of up to 20% for drivers who cover fewer than 15,000 km a year. (santam.co.za)
• 24/7 emergency roadside assistance (towing after breakdown, jump start, locksmith, tyre change) is included on every Santam car policy at no extra cost, on 0860 505 911. (santam.co.za)
• Drive me home chauffeur service within 50 km of the CBD in 10 major cities, up to six times per renewal cycle. (santam.co.za)
• Optional add-ons listed: accidental damage to tyres and rims, car hire, credit shortfall, classic vehicle cover (over 25 years old), and 4x4 and cross-border cover. (santam.co.za)
• Santam car insurance does not cover mechanical breakdown (roadside help incl. towing after a mechanical or electrical failure is still provided), and it does not insure vehicles registered outside South Africa. (santam.co.za)
• Santam sells direct as well as via brokers: an online quote takes about 60 seconds, plus a Santam Direct line and a call-me-back form. (santam.co.za)

Premiums are individually rated. Factors that typically matter across insurers are:

• The car: make, model, age, value and theft risk
• Where you live and park (overnight parking, suburb crime risk)
• Driver age, licence history and claims record
• Excess level and optional add-ons

Santam also offers SmartPark, which can save you up to 20% on your premium if you drive less than 15,000 km a year. Ask Santam how your mileage is checked before you rely on the saving.

Checked on 29 September 2026 against Santam's official website. Numbers and channels change, so confirm on the linked page before you call. Santam will not ask you to pay into a new bank account over the phone; hang up and call the official number if anything feels off.

Sources: santam.co.za/insurance/for-me/car, santam.co.za/contact-us, santam.co.za/claims/submit-a-claim.

Santam CashBack applies to car insurance. If you stay claim-free for the first 36 months and pay your premiums in full and on time, you earn 10% back. After that it switches to annual 12-month cycles. A qualifying claim ends the cycle and a new 3-year cycle starts.

Every Santam car policy includes 24/7 emergency roadside assistance at no extra cost, on 0860 505 911. It covers towing after a breakdown, a jump start, a locksmith and a tyre change. Santam car insurance does not cover mechanical breakdown, but roadside help, including towing after a mechanical or electrical failure, is still provided.

The Drive me home chauffeur service is available within 50 km of the CBD in 10 major cities, up to six times per renewal cycle.

Excess is the first portion of a claim that you pay yourself. Santam's car page does not publish a basic excess in rand, so confirm the exact figures on your quote and schedule before you sign. Ask whether any additional excesses apply to your policy, for example for particular drivers, and read the schedule rather than relying on a summary.

Optional add-ons include accidental damage to tyres and rims, car hire, credit shortfall cover, classic vehicle cover for cars over 25 years old, and 4x4 and cross-border cover. Credit shortfall pays the gap between your payout and what you still owe the bank. Each add-on raises the premium, so only take what you will use.

Indicative only - your real premium depends on your car, area and profile.

Compare Santam against a direct insurer like OUTsurance or MiWay before deciding, on matching cover and total cost.

Get a quote online on santam.co.za, call Santam Direct on 0860 444 444, request a call back, or ask a Santam-accredited broker. To claim, use the Santam App or Client Portal, or call the 24/7 claims line on 0860 505 911, as soon as possible after the incident. Have your policy number, photos, an accident report and a police case number where relevant.

If Santam rejects a claim and you believe it was unfair, you can escalate to the National Financial Ombud (which absorbed the former Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance, OSTI) at no charge.