South Africans have a special relationship with their SUVs. Drive through Johannesburg on a Saturday morning, and you’ll see them lined up outside sports fields—parents in Toyota Fortuners and Ford Everests cheering from the sidelines. Take a road trip down the Garden Route, and it’s SUVs that dominate the N2, packed with surfboards, camping gear, or that uncle who insists he knows all the back roads. And in rural areas, it’s not unusual to spot a sturdy SUV navigating gravel tracks, making sure groceries and kids get home safely.
Owning an SUV here isn’t just about the status symbol, although let’s be honest, that plays a role. It’s about practicality in a country where roads range from silky highways to pothole-riddled backstreets. But as anyone who’s paid for an SUV knows, they don’t come cheap. Which makes insurance—real insurance, not just the bare minimum—something you can’t brush off.
That’s where Old Mutual’s comprehensive car insurance comes into the picture. They pitch it as cover that keeps pace with the lifestyle of SUV owners. On paper, it looks attractive, but like most things in the insurance world, there are nuances worth talking about.
What “Comprehensive” Actually Means for SUVs
If you’re new to car insurance, “comprehensive” can sound like a blanket promise. Everything covered, no questions asked. In reality, it’s more layered. With Old Mutual, comprehensive cover typically means protection against accidents (whether it’s your fault or not), theft, fire, natural disasters, and third-party liability.
For SUV owners, this scope matters more than you’d think. Why? SUVs are heavier, bulkier, and often more expensive to repair. A fender bender in a sedan might mean a dented bumper; the same accident in a Hilux Legend might lead to repairs that cost more than a smaller car’s resale value. That’s not exaggeration—ask any panel beater.
But comprehensive cover isn’t only about repairing dents and scratches. It also accounts for the risks of living in South Africa: hijackings that, unfortunately, remain a reality, storms that flood roads in Durban, and the infamous Joburg hailstorms that turn SUVs into golf balls overnight.
The SUV Factor: Why Insurance Costs More
Here’s something SUV owners sometimes underestimate—insuring a larger vehicle is almost always pricier. And Old Mutual isn’t shy about pricing SUV policies accordingly. Insurers calculate risk partly by size and value, but also by accident patterns. An SUV, with its weight and higher driving position, can cause more damage in a collision.
I once chatted with a broker who half-joked that “SUVs and shopping mall parking lots are natural enemies.” It’s funny until you’re the one trying to squeeze your Kia Sportage into a space designed when hatchbacks ruled the market. Scrapes happen. And insurers know it.
That said, Old Mutual’s comprehensive plan tries to balance this reality by offering perks tailored to SUV drivers. Things like roadside assistance, towing after accidents, and even covering accessories—tow bars, roof racks, bull bars—can make the higher premiums feel justified.
Where Old Mutual Gets It Right
One of the biggest wins with Old Mutual is peace of mind during road trips. Their cover isn’t limited to city driving. If your Pajero breaks down halfway to Kruger, you can count on towing services. If your Fortuner is written off, the payout is based on retail value, not a rock-bottom “book value” that leaves you scrambling to cover the difference.
And because SUVs often come with extras—snorkels for off-roaders, upgraded sound systems, or expensive mag wheels—Old Mutual lets you specify these add-ons so they’re covered too. That’s not a small detail. A colleague of mine once lost R30,000 worth of aftermarket rims in a theft, only to find out his insurer considered them “non-standard” and wouldn’t pay. With Old Mutual, those conversations can happen upfront.
Their comprehensive cover also extends to natural disasters. South Africans know how unpredictable weather can be. One year it’s droughts, the next it’s floods. An SUV is hardy, but not indestructible, and having cover for hail damage or storm-related accidents is more than a “nice to have.”
But Let’s Be Honest: It’s Not All Perfect
Insurance is never a fairy tale. And Old Mutual’s comprehensive plan, while strong, isn’t flawless. For starters, premiums for SUVs can feel heavy, especially for younger drivers. If you’re under 30 and financing a Jeep Compass, you may find yourself paying nearly as much in insurance as you do on monthly repayments.
Then there’s the fine print—always the fine print. Some SUV owners assume “comprehensive” automatically means off-road coverage. But unless you’ve disclosed that you regularly take your Prado onto rugged trails, you might find claims rejected if the damage occurs on terrain insurers consider “high risk.”
Another sticking point is the claims process. Old Mutual has a decent reputation, but as with many insurers, some customers complain about delays and endless paperwork. A friend of mine, after an accident with his X-Trail, said it took nearly six weeks before the claim was settled. That doesn’t mean Old Mutual is worse than competitors—it’s an industry-wide frustration—but it’s worth knowing so expectations are realistic.
The Bigger Picture: SUVs and the South African Lifestyle
The appeal of SUVs in South Africa is unlikely to fade soon. Families like the space, adventurers like the versatility, and many drivers simply feel safer sitting higher on the road. But that lifestyle comes with financial strings attached. Buying the SUV is just the first step; maintaining it, fueling it, and insuring it all add up.
Old Mutual’s comprehensive cover fits into this picture as a kind of safety net. Without it, a single accident or theft could wipe out years of savings. Yet, for some, the monthly premiums might feel like an anchor. It becomes a balancing act: how much are you willing to pay for certainty?
And here’s where personal perspective matters. If you’re the kind of driver who mostly sticks to city roads, maybe even working from home most days, the cost of comprehensive cover could feel like overkill. But if you’re constantly on the go—road trips, family holidays, commuting across provinces—the value starts making more sense.
A Personal Take
I’ll admit, when I bought my first SUV—a second-hand Hyundai Santa Fe—I balked at the insurance quotes. Old Mutual’s comprehensive plan was one of the pricier options. I considered downgrading to third-party, just to save money. But then, on a rainy night, I skidded and nudged into the back of a BMW. It wasn’t catastrophic, but enough to cost thousands in repairs. My insurance stepped in, and suddenly, those higher premiums felt like a bargain.
That experience taught me something most SUV drivers learn sooner or later: big cars come with big risks. And while Old Mutual’s plan might sting a little in monthly costs, it cushions the blow when the unexpected happens.
Should You Choose Old Mutual for Your SUV?
At the end of the day, Old Mutual’s comprehensive cover is well-suited for SUV owners who see their vehicle as more than just a way to get from point A to B. It’s for families piling into a seven-seater, for road-trippers tackling the Wild Coast, and for professionals who can’t afford downtime after an accident.
Still, it’s not the cheapest option. If affordability is your primary concern, you may want to shop around, compare quotes, or even consider usage-based insurance models that charge by mileage. But if your priority is broad protection and knowing that extras like accessories and roadside emergencies are covered, Old Mutual does stand out.
Like most choices in insurance, it comes down to weighing peace of mind against the price tag. And when it comes to SUVs in South Africa—vehicles that carry not just people, but whole lifestyles—that decision takes on a little more weight.