Getting behind the wheel for the first time, with a license warm from the printer, feels a bit like being handed the keys to adulthood. You’re free, but you’re also suddenly very aware that a single fender-bender could knock you off that high. Insurance quickly stops feeling like some distant “adult thing” and becomes one of those practical necessities you can’t ignore.
When I bought my first car—a tiny hatchback that rattled when I accelerated too quickly—I remember thinking, Okay, this is it. I’m finally independent. But then, two weeks later, I accidentally grazed someone’s bumper in a shopping mall parking lot. Nobody was hurt, thankfully, but my heart nearly jumped out of my chest. That was the first moment I understood the real weight of insurance, and why picking the right insurer matters so much—especially when you’re new to the road.
For many South Africans, Auto & General stands out as one of those insurers that consistently gets mentioned in conversations about practicality and reliability. But what’s in it for someone who’s just starting out, someone who’s probably still juggling student loans or an entry-level salary? Let’s break down the benefits, not in the dry, brochure-style way, but in a way that actually matters to new drivers.
1. Affordable Options That Actually Make Sense
As a new driver, you’re already paying more simply because insurers see you as a “higher risk.” Statistically speaking, they’re not wrong—young or inexperienced drivers tend to claim more often. But here’s the thing: Auto & General seems to understand that not everyone has a huge budget, and their flexible plans reflect that.
Instead of forcing you into one-size-fits-all comprehensive cover (which can feel like paying champagne prices on a student budget), they offer scaled-down options. For instance, you could start with third-party, fire, and theft if money is tight, and later upgrade when your income grows or you buy a more expensive car.
Now, the slightly skeptical side of me does want to point out that “affordable” can still sting when you see the actual debit order come off your bank account. Premiums are rarely pocket change. But Auto & General’s pricing often appears competitive compared to some of the bigger, flashier brands, especially for smaller cars—the very type new drivers usually start out with.
2. 24/7 Roadside Assistance (Because Things Go Wrong at the Worst Times)
I’ve lost count of how many friends have locked themselves out of their cars, run out of petrol, or discovered a flat tire late at night. These things never seem to happen in broad daylight outside a mechanic’s workshop—it’s always at midnight on the N1 or in some parking lot where you immediately feel vulnerable.
Auto & General’s 24/7 roadside assistance may sound like a bullet point pulled from a brochure, but in practice, it’s one of those benefits you don’t think you’ll need until you’re standing on the side of the road with your hazard lights blinking.
For new drivers especially, who may not yet know how to change a tire or jump-start a dead battery, that lifeline is huge. It’s not just about convenience—it’s peace of mind. That said, one critique: like many insurers, response times can vary depending on where you are. If you’re in Johannesburg, great. If you’re on a rural road in Limpopo, you might wait longer than you’d like. Still, it beats fumbling through YouTube tutorials with shaky hands in the dark.
3. Flexibility to Adjust as Your Life Changes
When you’re starting out, your life tends to shift quickly—new job, new city, maybe even a new car within a year or two. What I appreciate about Auto & General is that their policies aren’t carved in stone. You can adjust cover levels, add extras like car hire, or remove things you don’t need without too much admin.
That flexibility matters. A lot.
When I upgraded from my old hatchback to something slightly more reliable (okay, fine, it was a used sedan with fewer squeaks), I was able to adjust my cover without having to jump through endless hoops. For a new driver, knowing you won’t be “stuck” with a plan that no longer suits your reality is empowering.
On the flip side, though, I will say that the add-ons can be tempting. Car hire, gadget cover, roadside perks—they start to add up, and suddenly your “affordable” plan isn’t as cheap anymore. It’s worth being disciplined and only choosing extras that genuinely fit your lifestyle.
4. Reputation and Customer Service
Insurance is one of those industries where reputation matters because you really only discover the quality of your insurer when something goes wrong. Auto & General has been around since 1985, which suggests they’re not some fly-by-night company.
But do they always deliver? The reviews are a mixed bag, if we’re being honest. Some customers rave about smooth claim processes, while others complain about long waits and tricky fine print. To me, this isn’t unique to Auto & General—it’s the reality of insurance everywhere. Claims departments deal with huge volumes, and the experience often depends on the specific assessor or agent you land up with.
That said, for a new driver, there’s value in going with a brand that has established infrastructure and a call center that actually answers the phone. It’s not glamorous, but it can mean the difference between a resolved claim and days of frustration.
5. They Cover a Wide Range of Cars (Even the Little First Cars)
Not every insurer is equally friendly toward older vehicles or entry-level models, which is exactly what many new drivers own. Some insurers flat-out refuse to cover cars past a certain age or charge ridiculous premiums.
Auto & General, from what I’ve seen, tends to be more open to covering the smaller, secondhand cars that young drivers usually buy. My cousin, for example, managed to insure her 12-year-old VW Polo with them without being hit with a crazy premium.
That said, if your car is very old, you may find that comprehensive insurance isn’t financially worth it—sometimes the excess and monthly premium together could almost buy you another secondhand car. In those cases, third-party cover might be the smarter play, and Auto & General makes it relatively straightforward to choose that route.
6. Extras That Aren’t Just Gimmicks
Some insurers throw in “extras” that sound amazing but don’t actually help much in real life. Auto & General’s extras—like trauma counseling after a serious accident, or assistance if you’re hijacked—are less flashy but genuinely practical.
Now, hopefully you’ll never need trauma counseling because of an accident, but if you do, it’s reassuring to know it’s there. For young drivers in South Africa, where road accidents and crime sadly aren’t rare, this kind of support feels relevant rather than gimmicky.
Still, one could argue that you shouldn’t pick an insurer solely based on extras. They’re like sprinkles on a cake: nice to have, but you still want the cake itself (the actual cover) to be solid.
7. Teaches Responsibility Early
Here’s a benefit you won’t see on their website: getting insured with Auto & General—or really, any reputable insurer—teaches you financial responsibility early on. The act of budgeting for a monthly premium, understanding your excess, and thinking twice before speeding down the highway has ripple effects.
For me, knowing that an accident could mean paying thousands in excess gave me pause in moments where I might have otherwise been careless. It shaped how I drove, how I valued my car, and even how I thought about money. In that way, insurance isn’t just a protective shield—it’s a quiet teacher.
So, Is Auto & General the Perfect Fit for New Drivers?
Not necessarily. No insurer is perfect. Some may prefer a rival brand that markets itself more aggressively toward young people. Others might find that a smaller, niche insurer offers lower premiums.
But Auto & General does tick many of the boxes that actually matter when you’re new to the road: affordability (at least relative to your options), roadside assistance, flexibility, and coverage for the types of cars most first-time drivers can afford.
If you’re expecting luxury treatment and lightning-fast claims every time, you might be disappointed. If you’re looking for an insurer that’s practical, well-established, and somewhat forgiving of first-car realities, Auto & General is likely a strong contender.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, I sometimes laugh at how nervous I was that day in the shopping mall parking lot when I scratched that bumper. But I also realize that moment shaped how seriously I took insurance. For new drivers, those small early mistakes are almost inevitable. What matters is having a safety net that softens the blow without bankrupting you.
Auto & General isn’t flawless, but for many South African new drivers, it’s a reassuring place to start. And when you’re just beginning your journey behind the wheel, a little reassurance goes a long way.