A safe ride home
01 October 2013 | Magazine Archives FAnews & FAnuus | Short Term | FAnews
The festive season in South Africa is not only synonymous with spending time with loved ones, but has unfortunately also become synonymous with an increase in road accidents. The majority of these are caused by drivers who are under various levels of intoxication.
This has also had a significant impact on the short-term insurance industry which has to deal with an influx of accident claims over the period. Donald Kau, Head of Corporate Affairs at Santam paints a picture of the true state of the industry over this period.
He stated "According to AA statistics for 2012, a total of 21 000 people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, which is an increase of more than 100% when compared to seven years before. We are encouraged by NICRO/SAB Miller initiative to improve road safety and applaud their efforts in reducing drinking and driving incidents on our roads. We also believe that the short-term insurance sector must do its part by instilling a sense of security and peace of mind amongst policyholders and the South African population in general.”
Services that make a difference
As is the case with many insurers, Santam has a home drive assistance service aimed at helping its personal lines clients reduce their risk on the road. In the event that a policyholder had more to drink than the legal limit, the service will ensure that the client and their vehicle are driven home safely.
Since its launch, Santam’s home drive assistance service has by far been the most utilised service of the value-added offering suite launched during the same period, demonstrating both the high demand for the product and more responsible risk management behaviour from motorists.
"During the period November 2012 to April 2013, we have recorded 353 drinking and driving related claims. We have noted a decline of just over 100 drunk driving claims by comparing the current figures to figures from the same period the year before which was 454 cases. It is still too soon to tell what the uptake of the product will be for the rest of the year, but the decline in drink-drive related claims looks promising. We hope that more policyholders will make use of the free service to mitigate the risks of drunk driving,” says Kau.
Service providers
Following are a number of companies providing this service with some information that will help your clients, and you, over the upcoming festive season.
Buddys Designated Drivers
www.buddys.co.za
0861-BUDDYS
(Tel: 0861 283 397)
Fees and areas
There is a monthly membership fee of R129.99 as well as fees based on set distances. Operational in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.
Booking in advance
45 minutes
Shortest time between booking and pick-up
45 minutes. Outlying urban areas require three hour pre-booking.
Cancellation fee policy
Not if the cancellation is done with at least an hour’s notice. If within an hour, a 75% surcharge on the trip fee applies.
HomeDrive Taxi Co.
www.HomeDrive.co.za
Tel: 011 883 2172
Fees and areas
There is no monthly fee available and a set rate is applicable when services are booked in the Johannesburg area. The average trip costs about R350.00. Operational: nationwide, but main centres are Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Booking in advance
Preferably by 17:00 on the day of service for that evening.
Shortest time between booking and pick-up
This depends on availability of driver teams. Advance bookings take preference.
Cancellation fee policy
If less than an hour before collection time, full charge is applicable.
If the cancellation is two hours or less, 50% is payable.
Good Fellas!
www.gfellas.co.za
Tel: 0861 433 552
Fees and areas
Members pay a monthly membership fee. Depending on the package the member chooses and the area where the member stays, the fee ranges from R92.25 to R729.00. Depending on the package a member decides to use, the fee per km differs from R14.05 to R8.10 per km. Operational in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Port Elizabeth, East London, George, Bloemfontein, Cape Town.
Booking in advance
Members can either make an ad-hoc booking (45-60 minutes) or they can pre-book (at least 2 hours in advance) for a specific time.
Shortest time between booking and pick-up
A general guideline time is between 45–60 minutes. However, it could be sooner or later than that. We guarantee that we will get a chauffeur to a member within 90 minutes.
Cancellation fee policy
A minimum trip charge on the applicable package will apply to cancellations of ad hoc bookings. A minimum trip charge on the applicable package will also apply to cancellations of pre-booked calls that are cancelled within one hour of the collection time.
Scooter Angels
www.scooterangels.co.za
Tel: 0861 464 663
Fees and areas
Four monthly membership fee options are available starting at R89,00 per month (R11,00 per km) and ranging up to R749,00 per month (R7,50 per km), which includes 105 free km per month. Non-members are also most welcome at a cost of R75,00 per pickup at R13,50 per
km. Certain surcharges, such as waiting fees and extra drop-off points, will be applicable to both members and non-members. Operational in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban.
Booking in advance
At least one hour notification is required when booking a planned trip.
Shortest time between booking and pick-up
The soonest pickup is within one hour of the booking.
Cancellation fee policy
Should a booking be cancelled less than an hour before the booking time, a cancellation fee equivalent to the minimum charge will be incurred. This applies to members as well as non-members.
1 For the Road
www.1fortheroad.co.za
Tel: 0861 622 642
Fees and areas
A monthly fee is payable. Fees vary from R90,00 to R615,00. Depending on the package, an additional fee of R7.70 per km is charged. Operational in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban.
Booking in advance
One hour notice is required when booking a planned trip.
Shortest time between booking and pick-up.
If clients want a pickup quicker than an hour, the company will try its best to accommodate.
Cancellation fee policy
The client can cancel at any time. If the cancellation is within an hour before time of pick up, there is a cancellation fee. The company treats this on a case-by-case basis. If the company has not incurred any cost (ie. driver has not left for pick up), then there is no charge.
Smart Guyz Chauffeur Services
www.smartguyz.co.za
Tel: 0861 762 786
Fees and areas
A variety of payment packages are available. Cash price: A minimum charge of R160,00 is charged for the first 10 km with a rate of R10,00 per km thereafter. Non-members welcome. Minimum charge of R160,00 for the first 10 km with a rate of R10,00 per km thereafter. Operational in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Booking in advance
Smart Guyz requires one hour notification when booking a planned trip.
Shortest time between booking and pick-up
The shortest time between placing a booking and pick-up is one hour.
Cancellation fee policy
If the client cancels before the hour, no cancellation fee charged.
I-Drive Designated Services
www.idriveservices.co.za
Tel: 0861 774 689
Fees and areas
An annual membership fee of R750,00 per year is payable. However, the company does cater for non-members.Members do not pay a pick-up fee and are charged R11,00
per km. Non-members have to pay a R50,00 pick-up fee and are charged R12,00 per km. There is no extra charge for additional stops, or after 02:00 am. Operational in Cape Town and Boland areas.
Booking in advance
Clients have to book trips 45 minutes in advance.
Shortest time between booking and pick-up
The soonest pick-up time from placing a booking is 45 minutes.
Cancellation fee policy
Clients can cancel a trip within two hours of placing a booking without paying a cancellation fee. Thereafter a fee of R100,00 is payable.
HOMEHEROES
www.homeheroes.org
Tel: 0860 001 234
Fees and areas
A monthly membership fee of R90,00 applies and an additional fee of R12,50 per km is charged to clients. Cash customers can pay a R50,00 call-out fee. Operational in Cape Town.
Booking in advance
Clients have to book 45 minutes before a planned trip.
Shortest time between booking and pick-up
The shortest time between booking and pick-up is 10 minutes.
Cancellation fee policy
If the client gives an hour’s notice, then there is no fee. If the client cancels before the hour, a fee of R75,00 is payable.
Nite Owls Designated Driving Service
www.niteowl.co.za
Tel: 0861 648 3695
Fees and areas
A once-off annual membership fee applies. Members’ minimum call-out is R144,00, which includes fees for the first 12 km. Call-out fees for non-members is R234,00, which includes fees for the first 13km. Operational in Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
Booking in advance
For members, booking needs to take place within 45 minutes of a planned trip. Non-members will have to rely on driver availability.
Shortest time between booking and pick-up
The shortest time to pick-up is 30 minutes, depending on the situation.
Cancellation fee policy
A client can cancel a pick-up within an hour of placing an order without being charged a cancellation fee. However, if the drivers are at the collection point, a cancellation fee is applicable.
