Quick overview
Pros
Strong brand with long track record — one of SA's most recognised direct insurers
Good value-add benefits including roadside assistance and car hire
Backed by Telesure's claims infrastructure and repair network
Competitive pricing for the mid-risk driver segment
Cons
Priced above the entry-level tier in its group
Direct model — no broker for complex claim support
Some customers report premium increases at renewal above market average
Estimated monthly premiums for popular vehicles
| Vehicle |
Approx. trade value |
Est. monthly premium |
| VW Polo Vivo |
R145,000 |
~R480 |
| VW Polo |
R265,000 |
~R875 |
| Suzuki Swift |
R235,000 |
~R775 |
| Toyota Starlet |
R225,000 |
~R745 |
| Hyundai Grand i10 |
R215,000 |
~R710 |
| Suzuki Fronx |
R295,000 |
~R975 |
| Toyota Fortuner |
R560,000 |
~R1,850 |
| Toyota Hilux |
R520,000 |
~R1,715 |
| Ford Ranger |
R500,000 |
~R1,650 |
Premium estimates are indicative only and based on a low-risk driver profile. Actual premiums are risk-profile dependent, reviewed annually, and will vary based on your age, address, vehicle condition, and claims history.
The value-adds are built in. Not extras you have to pay for.
Dial Direct is the mid-tier brand in the Telesure/BHL Group — sitting between Budget Insurance (entry-level) and Auto & General (premium). Founded in 1994, it has been insuring SA drivers for three decades. What sets it apart within the group is product design: roadside assistance, emergency towing, car hire, and trauma counselling come standard. You're not paying extra for the things you actually need when something goes wrong.
What "built-in value-adds" actually means
Most direct insurers offer roadside assist and car hire as add-ons — optional extras that inflate your base premium if you want them. Dial Direct bundles them into the product. Emergency tow-in if your car breaks down. Temporary car hire while yours is being repaired. And 24-hour assistance when you need it at 2am on the N3.
For many drivers, this bundled model works out cheaper than adding equivalent cover piece by piece to a lower-base-premium policy. Run the comparison with everything included before deciding.
See exactly what Dial Direct quotes for your car
Our panel includes Dial Direct alongside five other licensed SA insurers. One form, competing live quotes, same day. See where they land for your specific profile.
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Who Dial Direct suits
- Drivers who want roadside assistance included without paying for it separately
- Anyone who commutes regularly and needs car hire cover if their vehicle is off the road
- Low-to-medium risk profiles with clean claims history
- Drivers who want a well-established SA direct insurer, not a startup
When Budget or Auto & General makes more sense
If you genuinely don't need the value-adds — you have an old car, you work from home, roadside assist doesn't matter — Budget Insurance will likely be cheaper for the same core cover. If you have a high-value vehicle or want agreed-value cover, Auto & General's broader product range is worth the comparison.
A note on renewal
Dial Direct, like all Telesure brands, prices renewal increases aggressively. The initial quote is the entry point — not a locked-in rate. At renewal, re-quote. The same cover, re-quoted with the same insurer and competitors, typically saves R200–R600/month for drivers who bother to compare.
