Pineapple Insurance: What Does It Cover?
Complete coverage guide for South African residents
Last updated: September 2025
Quick Facts
- Car insurance from R459/month with comprehensive cover
- All-risk cover for gadgets starting from R30/month
- Global coverage for phones and valuables
- Open driver policy – no need to declare other drivers
- Up to 30% cashback for low-mileage drivers
Table of Contents
What is Pineapple Insurance?
Pineapple is a South African digital insurance company that offers affordable, app-based insurance coverage. They specialise in making insurance simple and accessible for everyone. Pineapple is underwritten by Old Mutual Alternative Risk Transfer Insure Limited, making them a trusted and regulated insurer.
The company focuses on two main types of short-term insurance: comprehensive car insurance and all-risk cover for your valuable items like phones, laptops, and gadgets. Their unique approach includes community-based insurance where unused premiums are shared back with customers.
Pineapple operates entirely through their mobile app and website, making it easy to get quotes, manage your policy, and submit claims without lengthy phone calls or paperwork.
✅ Car Insurance Coverage
Pineapple offers only comprehensive car insurance – they believe this gives you the best protection for your money. Here’s what your car insurance covers:
Full Coverage Includes:
Accident Damage: Damage to your car from accidents, whether you’re at fault or not.
Theft & Hijacking: Complete replacement if your car is stolen or hijacked.
Fire & Explosion: Protection against fire damage or explosions.
Weather Damage: Hail, floods, lightning strikes, and other natural disasters.
Vandalism: Malicious damage to your vehicle.
Third-Party Liability: Damage you cause to other people’s cars or property.
Special Features:
Open Driver Policy: Anyone over 18 with a valid South African licence can drive your car with your permission – no need to declare additional drivers.
Global Coverage: Your car is covered anywhere in South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Malawi, Namibia, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe.
New Car Replacement: If you’re the first owner of a new car (within 12 months), they’ll pay the retail value for total loss.
All-Risk Coverage for Your Valuables
Pineapple’s all-risk insurance covers your valuable items like phones, laptops, tablets, cameras, jewellery, and other electronics. This coverage is perfect for young adults or anyone who wants to protect specific valuable items.
What’s Covered:
Phones & Electronics: Smartphones, tablets, laptops, headphones, power banks, and other gadgets.
Theft & Loss: If your items are stolen or lost anywhere in the world.
Accidental Damage: Cracked screens, water damage, drops, and other accidents.
Fire & Lightning: Damage from fires or electrical surges.
Global Coverage: Your items are covered anywhere in the world (claims paid in Rands to South African bank accounts).
Flexible Options: You can insure individual items or bundle multiple items under one policy.
💰 Pricing & Costs
| Coverage Type | Starting Price | What Affects Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Car Insurance | From R459/month | Car value, your age, driving record, location |
| All-Risk (Gadgets) | From R30/month | Item value, type of gadget, your risk profile |
| Excess (Your contribution) | You choose | Higher excess = lower monthly premium |
Real Example: A 2013 Daihatsu Sirion can be insured for as little as R83.95 per month – that’s cheaper than a movie ticket!
Car Insurance Range: Most comprehensive car insurance premiums range from R333 to R2,500+ per month, depending on your car and risk profile.
⚠️ What’s NOT Covered (Important Exclusions)
Car Insurance Exclusions:
Wear & Tear: Normal maintenance like brake pads, tyres wearing out, or mechanical breakdowns.
Drunk/Reckless Driving: Accidents while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or driving recklessly.
Invalid Licence: Driving without a valid licence or with a suspended licence.
Commercial Use: Using your personal car for Uber, Bolt, or delivery services without informing them.
Racing: Participating in speed contests or illegal street racing.
All-Risk Exclusions:
Normal Wear & Tear: Items naturally wearing out over time.
Manufacturing Defects: Problems with the item that should be covered by warranty.
Malware/Viruses: Software problems or virus damage to devices.
Gradual Damage: Slow deterioration that happens over time rather than sudden accidents.
📱 How to Make a Claim
Quick Steps:
1. Report Immediately: Use the Pineapple app or website within 30 days of the incident.
2. Police Report: For theft or hijacking, report to SAPS within 24 hours and get a case number.
3. Photos: Take clear photos of any damage using your phone.
4. Documents: Provide proof of ownership (receipts, invoices) for valuable items.
5. Follow Up: A Pineapple agent will contact you with updates and next steps.
What Happens Next:
Pineapple will either repair your item, replace it with the same model, give you a voucher, or pay you the replacement value minus your excess amount.
For stolen phones, remember to contact your network provider to blacklist the device and prevent misuse.
🌟 Special Pineapple Benefits
Drive Less, Get Blessed:
If you drive less than 300km per month, you can get up to 30% of your premium back as a cash refund. This is perfect for people who work from home or don’t drive much.
24/7 Emergency Support:
Free roadside assistance including jump-starting your battery, changing flat tyres, emergency fuel delivery, and help with lost keys.
Crash Detection:
The Pineapple app can automatically detect car accidents and alert your emergency contacts, providing extra peace of mind.
Rewards Program:
Earn points for being a good customer and redeem vouchers for various rewards.
Community Cashback:
Unused premiums from the community pot are distributed back to customers at the end of the year – it’s like a bonus for being part of a low-claim community.
Our Bottom Line Recommendation
Pineapple is ideal if you want: Simple, affordable insurance that you can manage entirely through an app. Their comprehensive car coverage and global all-risk cover for gadgets offer excellent value for money.
Best for: Young professionals, low-mileage drivers, tech-savvy people who prefer digital services, and anyone wanting transparent, community-focused insurance.
Consider carefully if: You prefer traditional phone-based customer service, need specialised coverage beyond comprehensive car and all-risk, or want multiple insurance types from one provider.
Getting started: Download the Pineapple app, snap a photo of what you want to insure, and get a quote in 90 seconds. Their ratings speak for themselves: 4.7/5 on HelloPeter and a Trust Index of 9.8/10.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes and was last updated in September 2025. Insurance terms, fees, and coverage may change. Always verify current information with Pineapple directly before making financial decisions. Pineapple (FSP 48650) is underwritten by Old Mutual Alternative Risk Transfer Insure Limited.
For insurance complaints or disputes, contact the National Financial Ombud Scheme (NFO) or the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) at 0800 110 443.