Top tips for young drivers
From understanding your insurance to staying focused behind the wheel, these are the top tips every Gen Z driver should know to stay safe and confident on the road.
For a young driver, hitting the road can be both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. We're here to help you stay safe and savvy.
1. Keep your eyes on the road
Did you know that using your phone for 20 seconds while driving increases your accident risk by over 60%? According to the Discovery Insure Road Safety White Paper published in May 2024, distracted driving is a growing concern. From 2021 to 2023, accidents caused by distractions more than doubled.
Our number one tip? Don't use your phone while driving. That ping or call can wait. If you must use your phone, make sure you have a Bluetooth connection and a secure smartphone mount.
2. Avoid driving late at night
Accidents from 22:00 and 04:00 are nine times more severe than daytime accidents.
Reduced visibility and drunk drivers make driving at night objectively riskier. The Discovery Insure Road Safety White Paper confirms this, revealing that night-time driving increases the risk of an accident being fatal.
If you're heading out late, consider using a take-me-home or e-hailing service. Discovery Insure clients with qualifying plans enjoy discounted, safe travel options with the Drive Me benefit.
3. Know what you're covered for
Car insurance can be complicated, but knowing what your plan covers is important. Pay attention to these key terms:
Comprehensive cover: This generally covers the cost of repairs or the replacement of your vehicle if it is in an accident, stolen, destroyed in a fire, or damaged during extreme weather.
Personal liability: Comprehensive cover should include personal liability, which protects you financially if you are legally responsible for another person's accidental death, injury, or damage to property. Without this cover, you could face costs running into millions.
Excess: An excess is the amount you must pay before your insurer covers the rest of your claim. This amount is decided before you start your plan. It can be tempting to choose a high excess as this often means a lower monthly premium, but you'll pay more if you claim.
For example, let's say you've chosen a R5,000 excess. If you have an accident and it'll cost R50,000 to fix your car, you'll pay R5,000 upfront. If you'd chosen a lower excess, you'd pay less.
Discovery Insure Classic and Purple Plan clients pay no excess for theft-related or weather-related claims.
4. Keep good driving habits
Good driving takes time and practice.
Discovery Insure's Vitality Drive programme uses advanced telematics technology to measure and reward good driving behaviour. Our DQ-Track, comprising the Discovery Insure smartphone app and the Vitality Drive Sensor, is easy to install in your car.
It collects information about your driving behaviour. The better you drive, the more Vitality Drive points you earn, and the more rewards you get, like up to R1,500 fuel cash back each month.
With the right habits and the right cover, you can drive with confidence and earn rewards along the way.
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