Do I need trailer insurance in South Africa?
Do I need trailer insurance?
Trailer insurance isn't legally required in South Africa, but it's worth having if your trailer has real value or you'd struggle to replace it after theft or an accident. Your car insurance covers your liability for damage the trailer causes while towing, but not the trailer itself. Trailers must, however, be registered and licensed by law.
Key takeaways
- Trailer insurance is optional, but trailers must be registered and licensed.
- Your car policy covers towing liability, not the trailer itself.
- Cover is worth it if the trailer is valuable or hard to replace.
- Trailers are easy to steal when parked and unattended.
- Cover is usually inexpensive relative to the trailer's value.
Legal vs practical
By law, a trailer must be registered and licensed and roadworthy — but insuring it is optional. The practical case for cover is simple: your car policy protects you against liability for damage the trailer causes, but if the trailer is stolen, overturns or is damaged, you carry that loss yourself unless you have dedicated trailer cover.
When it's worth it
If your trailer is valuable — a car-transporter, custom or cattle trailer — or you rely on it for work or leisure and couldn't easily replace it, insurance makes sense, especially as premiums are usually low. For an old, low-value box trailer, you might reasonably self-insure.