Does Egyptian Car Insurance Really Work?

Got your attention with title? Well short answer is yes! Here is my story.

My car insurance was due, and had few scratches and very minor dents, mostly from people that do not know how to park. You can tell this type as they have all kinds of marks on their bumpers back and front.

Was going ignore these and have them fixed myself. But smart wife said "let's talk to insurance people".

Bit of background. I bought a Mercedes 200 Kompressor and had 6 paint scrathes - some I did myself. When we went to Mercedes Maintenance and wife asked if insurance would fix all these - they said why not?

So in end I paid 9.874 LE for insurance year before (for 300,000 LE) coverage and in end my few defects repair cost was 13,200LE. ( I paid 600 LE on top of this). So I am ahead few ,000. but of course paid for following year as well so not really ahead - but insured. By the way with no claims they deduct 20% for 2nd years insurance and 10% each year thereafter up to 50% savings on you insurace. So, if only minor stuff with cheaper car - better to fix youself - but not with a Merc!!!

Trick is if you insure (and it is good idea) you need to go to Police and make a report for damages which in my case was a bit fictious as list all damages like it was one car that did it all while I was parked and had no idea who offender was. It was really easy!

So in end you can plan on 3% cost of insurance for what you declare as value of car. Deductable per event is 100 LE. But make a police report if someone does really significant damage- actually you need to make a police report in any event.

I am still not clear on third party issues. Like deaths and injuries as to what insurance covers.

Finally - few cars are insured here but take them to police if they hit you as insurance people need that police report. If they do not agree to go to police - get car license number, and go yourself with translator, if not speaking arabic. Don't also forget to have your fixer pay the backshessh and if you want it done right and don't be cheap. I gave 200 LE and that was for everyone and car was fixed without question.