A Review of OUTsurance Car Insurance: Pros, Cons, and Costs

When you live in South Africa, car insurance isn’t really a “nice-to-have.” It’s the thing standing between you and a financial headache after an accident, theft, or even just a cracked windscreen on the N1. Among the many providers out there, OUTsurance is one of the names that comes up again and again. They’ve been around since the late ’90s, they’ve built a reputation for their catchy “You always get something OUT” slogan, and their green umbrella branding is almost impossible to miss.

But catchy slogans aside—does OUTsurance really stack up as a good choice for South African drivers? I’ve spoken with people who swear by them, and others who quietly switched after a year because the costs started creeping up. I’ve also had my own brush with their customer service, so I’ve seen a bit of both sides. In this review, I’ll unpack the pros, the cons, and the real costs of OUTsurance car insurance, while adding a bit of perspective from actual experiences.

The OUTsurance Story in a Nutshell

OUTsurance started in 1998 as part of the Rand Merchant Investment Holdings group, and it quickly built its identity around one key hook: the “cash OUTbonus.” The idea was simple but clever. If you didn’t claim for three years, you’d get some of your premiums back. That kind of loyalty reward was rare in South Africa at the time, and it made people feel like their insurance wasn’t just a black hole sucking away money.

Since then, OUTsurance has broadened its offerings—covering everything from homes to pets—but car insurance remains one of their flagship products. They market heavily on affordability, reward systems, and customer satisfaction. But does the experience actually match the glossy brochures? Let’s break it down.

The Pros of OUTsurance Car Insurance
1. The OUTbonus (aka the cashback carrot)

Let’s be honest: most people hate paying for insurance because it feels like money you’ll never see again. OUTsurance flipped that thinking by offering the OUTbonus—essentially, a portion of your premiums back if you don’t claim for a set period (usually three years).

A friend of mine actually got their OUTbonus after three claim-free years. They were ridiculously excited, not so much because of the money (though it wasn’t insignificant), but because it felt like a small win in the insurance game. The payout isn’t life-changing, but it does soften the sting of monthly premiums.

Of course, it’s worth noting the obvious: if you do claim, you reset the clock. So this perk works best for safe drivers who don’t anticipate needing cover often.

2. Flexible Cover Options

OUTsurance offers a decent spread of car insurance types:

Comprehensive cover – theft, accidents, natural disasters, the whole package.

Third-party, fire, and theft – mid-tier cover that protects you against liability plus some major risks.

Third-party only – bare-bones, cheapest option, just covers damages you cause to others.

This tiered approach makes it easier for people to choose something that fits their budget and situation. For example, someone driving a new Toyota Hilux may feel safer with comprehensive cover, while a student with a 15-year-old Citi Golf might settle for third-party.

3. Roadside Assistance and Added Perks

One of OUTsurance’s better features is their standard roadside assistance. You don’t need to pay extra for a flat battery jump-start or a tow after a breakdown—it’s built in. And for anyone who’s ever been stuck on a lonely stretch of the R21 with a smoking engine, you’ll know how comforting that is.

They also include glass cover, hail damage protection, and even cover for personal items stolen from your car under certain circumstances. These inclusions may not sound huge, but they can save you when life throws a curveball.

4. Customer Service That (Mostly) Gets Praise

If you scroll through review sites, OUTsurance generally fares better than many competitors. Call centre staff are often described as friendly, patient, and efficient. My own experience supports this—I had a query about changing my excess and the consultant actually explained everything in plain language instead of rattling off jargon.

That said, the positive feedback isn’t unanimous. For every glowing review, you’ll also find a horror story about a delayed payout or a frustrating claims process. But compared to some insurers where complaints seem to dominate, OUTsurance does appear to maintain a fairly strong reputation.

The Cons of OUTsurance Car Insurance
1. Premiums That Creep Up

One of the most common complaints I’ve heard (and experienced) is how premiums seem affordable in year one but gradually increase over time. It’s not unique to OUTsurance—most insurers adjust based on risk, inflation, and claims data—but some customers feel blindsided when their monthly debit order jumps without much explanation.

A colleague of mine switched away from OUTsurance after three years because her premium for a 2014 Polo had almost doubled, despite no claims. It highlights the importance of shopping around every year rather than staying loyal out of habit.

2. The OUTbonus Isn’t Really “Free Money”

Yes, the OUTbonus is a clever incentive, but let’s not kid ourselves. You’re essentially paying higher premiums upfront to qualify for it. Some critics argue that if you put the same extra money into a savings account each month, you’d probably end up with a similar—or even better—payout.

So while it’s a nice perk if you’re disciplined enough not to claim, it may not be the financial jackpot it first appears.

3. Mixed Claims Experiences

While OUTsurance gets points for friendly call centre staff, the claims process isn’t universally smooth. There are stories of claims dragging on, disputes over repair costs, or policyholders feeling pressured to use specific panel beaters.

To be fair, every insurer deals with unhappy claimants. Insurance claims are messy by nature—nobody’s happy after a car crash—but the inconsistency is something to be aware of.

4. Not Always the Cheapest Option

OUTsurance markets itself as affordable, but in reality, they sit somewhere in the middle of the pack. If you compare quotes, you’ll often find smaller insurers undercutting them by a decent margin. That doesn’t mean OUTsurance is overpriced; sometimes the added benefits justify the premium. But if budget is your top priority, it’s worth getting multiple quotes.

The Costs: What Can You Expect to Pay?

Car insurance pricing in South Africa is notoriously tricky because it depends on a mix of factors: your age, where you live, your driving history, the type of car you drive, and even whether you park it in a garage at night. OUTsurance follows the same formula.

To give you a ballpark, here are a couple of example quotes I’ve seen (names changed for privacy):

Sipho, 28, Johannesburg – Drives a 2017 Ford Fiesta, comprehensive cover quoted at R1,350 per month with a standard excess.

Marianne, 45, Cape Town – Drives a 2021 Toyota Fortuner, comprehensive cover quoted at R2,100 per month.

Thabo, 22, Pretoria – Drives a 2012 VW Polo Vivo, third-party cover only quoted at R480 per month.

These aren’t official averages, but they paint a picture: younger drivers in high-theft areas tend to pay more, while older drivers with newer cars may find premiums climb due to replacement costs.

Personal Anecdote: My OUTsurance Experience

I’ll admit, I was skeptical about OUTsurance at first. Their ads felt a little too polished, and I wasn’t convinced the OUTbonus was anything more than marketing fluff. But when I was shopping around, they gave me a better deal than my old insurer, so I signed up.

The first year was smooth—my debit order was predictable, I had one windscreen claim that was handled fairly quickly, and I liked knowing roadside assistance was there if I needed it. The problem came in year two when my premium jumped by R250 without warning. I called to query it and was told it was due to “risk adjustment.” No accidents, no changes in my circumstances, just a quiet increase.

I didn’t cancel immediately, but I started shopping around again. And here’s the kicker: another big insurer quoted me R300 less for the same cover. That’s when I realized OUTsurance isn’t always the most cost-effective long-term.

Who Is OUTsurance Best Suited For?

Based on what I’ve seen and heard, OUTsurance may be a good fit if:

You’re a safe driver and like the idea of the OUTbonus.

You want comprehensive cover with extras like roadside assistance bundled in.

You prefer dealing with a big, established company with strong brand recognition.

But you might want to think twice if:

You’re laser-focused on the cheapest possible premium.

You move insurers often to chase better deals.

You’ve had frustrating claims experiences before and have low tolerance for red tape.

Final Thoughts

OUTsurance is one of those insurers that people either recommend enthusiastically or shrug off as “not worth it.” They shine when it comes to perks, service reputation, and the clever OUTbonus system. Yet, they also stumble on creeping premiums and sometimes inconsistent claims handling.

If you’re considering them, my advice is this: get a quote, compare it with at least two others, and don’t be afraid to renegotiate or switch after a year. OUTsurance may suit you perfectly for a season of life, but loyalty doesn’t always pay when it comes to car insurance.

At the end of the day, OUTsurance offers more than just flashy marketing, but whether it’s the right fit really depends on your driving habits, your budget, and your tolerance for the fine print.

Published on: Sep 11, 2025

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