Car insurance protects you financially from the cost of theft, loss or damage to your vehicle, while also covering losses or damage you may cause to someone else's vehicle.

Depending on the cover you choose, car insurance can protect you against theft, hijacking, fire, accidental and malicious damage, explosions, earthquakes and weather events. It can also cover damage you cause to someone else's property.

Although car insurance is not legally required in South Africa, having cover helps protect you from paying these costs out of your own pocket.

There are three types of car insurance: comprehensive cover, third party, fire and theft cover, and third party-only cover. Discovery Insure offers all three comprehensive plan tiers.

Comprehensive car insurance offers the broadest level of protection, covering loss or damage to your own vehicle as well as loss and damage you may cause to someone else's vehicle.

This type of cover protects your vehicle against theft, hijacking, fire, explosion, earthquakes, weather events and accidental or malicious damage. Third party-only insurance covers damage you cause to someone else's property, but not damage to your own vehicle.

Discovery Insure offers comprehensive cover across four plan tiers, with different price points and benefits. Each is designed to meet the needs of different drivers, lifestyles and budgets. The entry-level Core Plan, built for cost-conscious drivers and offering rich cover and customisable benefits, starts at R349 a month and includes comprehensive cover as standard, with zero excess on windscreen chips. It also includes emergency roadside assistance and towing, with the option to add car hire or Uber credit while your car is being repaired.

The most affordable car insurance is third party only cover. But your cover choice depends on the protection you need, the policy's chosen benefits and how much you get back from your insurer. Third party-only insurance covers damage you cause to someone else's vehicle, which means you're responsible for the repairs cost to your own vehicle.

However, when you're comparing affordable car insurance options, it's worth considering both the level of cover and the value you get back from your insurer, which can offset your monthly premium.

For example, Vitality Drive is Discovery Insure's behaviour-based rewards programme available from R25 a month. You earn points for safe driving, with higher Vitality Drive statuses unlocking greater rewards. If you reach a monthly Diamond status at least nine times in 12 months and remain claim-free, your comprehensive vehicle premium is guaranteed not to increase when your policy comes up for annual renewal. Vitality Drive is available on all Of Discovery Insure's comprehensive plans, including the Core Plan, the insurer's most affordable comprehensive car cover option.

Yes! Affordable comprehensive car cover is possible when you have the flexibility to choose the level of protection and benefits that best fit your needs.

Keep in mind that comprehensive car insurance protects your vehicle against various risks, including theft, hijacking, fire, weather events, explosions and accidental or malicious damage, with different benefits available at different price points.

Discovery Insure's Core Plan is designed for cost-conscious drivers who want rich cover coupled with customisable benefits. As its entry-level plan, Core lets you choose your excess from a minimum starting amount and includes zero excess on windscreen chips. Emergency roadside assistance is also included.

You can tailor your cover by adding optional benefits (such as car hire or Uber credits while your vehicle is being repaired) and vehicle warranty cover. This flexibility lets you balance the protection you need with a monthly premium that suits your budget.

In general, your premium depends on:

• Your vehicle's make, model and value
• Your age and driving history
• Your claims record
• Where you live and park your car
• Your excess (the amount you agree to pay towards a claim before your insurer pays the rest)
• Your cover level and plan type

Discovery Insure adds another factor. Your Vitality Drive status can get you a guaranteed 0% premium increase when your premium is due for annual renewal, if you consistently reach Diamond status (the programme's highest rewards level), and stay claim-free. This applies to all plan tiers, including Discovery Insure's affordable Core Plan.

While some factors that affect your premium, such as your age or where you live, others may be outside your control. Here are steps you can take to help reduce the cost of your car insurance:

• Choose a higher excess. A higher excess usually means a lower monthly premium because you agree to pay more towards a claim. Discovery Insure gives you the flexibility to choose your excess, from a minimum starting amount, across all its plans.
• Drive safely and avoid claims. A good claims history can help show that you're a lower-risk driver.
• Review your cover regularly. Make sure you're paying for the benefits and optional extras you need. Ask a trusted financial adviser to guide you in making the right decision for your needs.
• Beef up your vehicle's security. Features such as secure nighttime parking, tracking devices or anti-theft systems may reduce risk.
• Discovery Insure clients can also get additional value through Vitality Drive, Discovery Insure's behaviour-based rewards programme. And, if you stay claim-free and consistently achieve Diamond status, you can also qualify for a guaranteed 0% renewal increase on your comprehensive car cover premium.

Discovery Insure offers comprehensive car insurance across four plans, with options ranging from cost-conscious cover to ultra-premium benefits.

The Core Plan starts at R349 a month and covers theft, hijacking, fire, weather events, explosion and accidental or malicious damage. It includes zero excess on windscreen chips, emergency roadside assistance, towing, and cover for lost or damaged locks, keys and remotes. You can also add up to 30 days' car hire or Uber credit while your vehicle is being repaired.

The Essential Plan starts at R549 a month and includes advanced safety technology, such as Impact Alert, which can trigger an emergency response after a severe impact. Clients on Vitality Drive also get up to R750 a month in fuel cash back.