Don’t Let Neglect Void Your Insurance

Hello, Garden Route community!

We just wanted to share an important reminder for all South Africans living in our beautiful Garden Route area regarding short-term insurance. It’s essential to stay on top of your maintenance and safety responsibilities to ensure that your insurance claims are honoured. Local insurers are becoming more stringent about damage resulting from poor upkeep or negligence, so it’s important to be proactive.

Sandra Anderson, a claims specialist at Garden Route Insurance Brokers, points out that all short-term insurance policies include “general duty of care” clauses. These clauses require you to take steps to manage potential risks by maintaining your insured property. Remember, the goal here is to help keep insurance coverage fair and affordable for everyone!

If you haven’t waterproofed your roof recently, checked your electric fence, or addressed suggestions from your vehicle repair centre (like replacing those brakes!), you could be putting your short-term insurance coverage at risk.

Sandra explains, “Damage or loss from poor maintenance or negligence may not be covered by your building, household, or vehicle insurance. These are known as exclusions and can often be misunderstood.” These clauses are designed to encourage proper property maintenance and avoid damage. By caring for your insured items, you’ll not only stay protected but also help prevent unexpected surprises when it’s time to submit a claim.

We understand that issues surrounding these clauses can be confusing. When a claim gets denied due to a lack of maintenance, it can feel unfair. However, short-term insurers are here to support honest claims arising from unforeseen events. If claims were settled for damages caused by negligence, insurance premiums could skyrocket, which wouldn’t be fair for those who take good care of their property.

In light of this, the GRIB team is committed to raising awareness about your “general duty of care” responsibilities by clarifying policy exclusions. We encourage all policyholders to read through their policy documents – typically sent with renewal notice – and to reach out if you have any questions. If you’re unsure about any policies, it’s always a good idea to reach out to your GRIB broker for clarity.

Additionally, please ensure your home security systems are functioning correctly. In the unfortunate event of a burglary, claims may be denied if access was gained through issues like a malfunctioning electric fence or broken security gate lock.

Lastly, remember that this “general duty of care” also applies to vehicle owners. Staying vigilant about maintenance helps keep you covered!

Thank you for being part of our community and for taking the time to ensure your home and belongings are well cared for. Stay safe and protected!