Skip the scams: 5 quick consumer lifesavers

1. Don’t get stranded: confirm your return flight if you miss the first leg

Have you ever missed the first leg of a return flight? Some airlines, like British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, might cancel your return or onward flights without warning. It’s a sneaky “no-show” clause they use to stop fare loopholes, but it’s left many travellers furious.

Not all airlines do this, but to avoid getting stuck, always confirm your later flights if you skip the first. A quick call or check with the airline can save you from a cancelled booking and a major headache.

2. Beware of sneaky formula marketing on social media

The WHO and UNICEF are urging local regulators to update South Africa’s regulations relating to foodstuffs for Infants and young children to tackle the marketing of formula on social media.

Platforms use algorithms to target vulnerable parents with ads blending pseudo-science and emotional manipulation, often misrepresenting nutritional facts, such as formula fed babies sleep better. 

Marketers also often make parents fear dairy-based milk, but cow’s milk is in fact perfectly fine for most babies who do not suffer from specific allergies.

And here’s something many parents don’t realise - In South Africa, formula formulation is very closely regulated, with the result that the cheapest tin and the most expensive tin contain almost exactly the same ingredients.

3. Car rental waivers won’t always protect you from being made to pay for crash repairs or car theft in full

Renting a car? Don’t assume that “waiver” you paid for covers everything. Rental cars aren’t insured, and the fine print can leave you fully liable for damage or theft. Scenarios like driving on unpaved roads, hitting a tree, or undercarriage damage often aren’t covered, even with a waiver. Water, dust storms, or negligence? You’ll pay in full for any loss or damage as well.

So drive cautiously and stick to suitable roads to protect your wallet from unexpected repair or replacement costs. Or better still, avoid the huge risk of hiring a car altogether, if possible.

4. Avoid holiday car hassles: match your courtesy car to your motoring needs

Planning a holiday road trip? Your motor policy’s courtesy or hire car might not match your usual ride. Budget Insurance highlights two gaps: some policies lack car hire cover, leaving you stranded if your car’s in the repair shop, and if you do have the car hire benefit, the car you get may not suit your needs, such as getting a compact hatchback when you drive a spacious SUV.

So check your policy for hire car cover and ensure the replacement matches your holiday vehicle’s size and features. Add optional hire car cover if needed to avoid a mismatch.

5. Why do insurance premiums go up despite your car’s value going down?

A listener asked me: “Please can you tell me why car insurance premiums increase despite a car’s value depreciating. Why don’t insurance companies don’t lower the premiums if the car is older and worth less?”

In South Africa, accidents account for the majority of insurance claims, thanks to the country’s high accident rate, plus the high cost of repairs, increasing spare parts prices, and challenging road conditions, such as potholes.

The fact that a staggering 65-70% of cars on the road are not insured is also a major factor, as insurers are required to settle third party claims.

All in all, a car’s depreciating value is offset by the increased cost of repairing crash-damaged cars.

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