Spring and summer in South Africa bring longer days, warmer weather, and more outdoor activities with friends and family. But this also means more time away from home, and an empty house presents an opportunity for thieves. The last thing anyone wants after an enjoyable day out is discovering their home has been broken into; the shock and financial loss can be overwhelming. If you find yourself a victim of a break-in, consider these essential steps to help you navigate the si

House robberies and burglaries represent an ever-present threat facing South African families. As incidents continue to rise nationwide, reviewing and updating your household content insurance has become an absolute necessity for every household. Recent crime statistics paint a concerning picture, revealing housebreaking and burglary as among the most frequently reported crimes plaguing South African homes. The Sobering Statistics The latest governance and public safety surve

South African consumers are increasingly relying on their short-term insurance as climate-related severe weather incidents escalate and persistent crime remains a concern. Recent insurance industry data shows that nearly one in five consumers claimed against a short-term insurance policy in the past year, the highest proportion in over six years. Climate Change Hits Home Around the globe, the impacts of climate-related adverse weather events are intensifying. International cl

The weather isn't just unpredictable anymore ; it's extreme, and it's costing South Africans more than just comfort. From flash floods in coastal areas to unexpected hailstorms damaging vehicles and homes, climate change is fundamentally reshaping risk in ways we couldn't have imagined a generation ago. Staying financially protected means adapting to this new reality. The New Normal: Unpredictable and Extreme South Africans are naturally optimistic and adaptable people. Howe

Many South African homeowners treat their insurance policy like an emergency parachute, something stored away that hopefully never needs to be deployed. However, this passive approach can cost you dearly when the unexpected happens. Making your insurance work effectively requires a more proactive mindset, and a little preparation can make an enormous difference when you need to claim. Weather-related incidents from hail, water damage, lightning strikes, and storms are notorio

As international leaders prepare to gather for crucial economic discussions, there's an urgent conversation that needs to take centre stage: the escalating cost of disasters worldwide and what this means for developing nations like South Africa. The numbers tell a sobering story. Over the past five decades, the global economic impact of disasters has nearly tripled. Recent assessments by international disaster risk agencies confirm that annual losses now exceed US$2 trillion

Preparing for High-Risk Seasons: A Trustee's Guide to Loss Prevention As we approach the warmer months and year-end holiday season, trustees and body corporate members need to recognise the increased risks facing sectional title schemes. Many significant claims and losses can be prevented through simple precautions and proactive communication. Understanding seasonal risk patterns and implementing preventive measures protects both property and people while potentially saving s

When it comes to protecting your assets, health, and future, insurance plays a crucial role. However, navigating the world of insurance can be overwhelming. Finding the right provider who understands your unique needs and offers personalised service is essential. This is where local insurance services come into play. They provide tailored solutions, face-to-face consultations, and a community-focused approach that large national companies often lack. Why Choose Local Insuranc

Insurance Responsibilities and Your Annual General Meeting: A Planning Guide Annual general meeting preparations often occur at the last minute; seemingly, human nature dictates that we defer complex tasks until deadlines loom. However, when it comes to insurance-related responsibilities, better planning proves essential for ensuring smooth AGM proceedings and maintaining proper scheme protection. Understanding which insurance items require AGM attention and preparing these e

Why "We Don't Know What Happened" Won't Work for Accidental Damage Claims In insurance claims, particularly those involving accidental damage under building or all-risk policies, one phrase appears with alarming frequency and creates significant problems: "We don't know what happened." While this statement might seem honest or harmless on the surface, from an insurance perspective, it raises immediate red flags and often results in claim rejection. Understanding why this matt

After Disaster Strikes: Your Essential Emergency Response Checklist Following a severe claim event, whether fire, flood, or devastating storm, the immediate aftermath can feel overwhelming for property owners and trustees alike. Knowing the correct steps to take during these critical first hours and days is essential not only for safety but also for ensuring your insurance claim process proceeds as smoothly as possible under difficult circumstances. This Your Essential Emerge

Burst Pipes and Insurance Excess: Who Pays? The question of who bears responsibility for insurance excess when pipes burst generates considerable debate within bodies corporate, often revealing opposing interpretations of policy wording and management rules. Understanding the legal framework and practical application helps trustees, managing agents, and owners navigate these situations with clarity and fairness. Cover Under Body Corporate Insurance Whether pipes run through c

How Skipping Insurance Valuations Leads to Averaging Disasters Elected trustees of bodies corporate carry a fiduciary duty to ensure adequate insurance cover for their schemes. This obligation is underscored by the Sectional Titles Schemes Management Act No. 8 of 2011, Prescribed Management Rule 23, which clearly states: "A body corporate must obtain a replacement valuation of all buildings and improvements that it must insure at least every three years and present such repla

When Trustees Pay the Price: Understanding Personal Liability in Underinsurance Cases The role of a body corporate trustee carries significant responsibility, including ensuring adequate insurance cover for the scheme. What many trustees don't realise is that they can face personal financial liability when underinsurance occurs, even when trustee liability cover exists. Understanding how this happens is crucial for anyone serving in this capacity. The Scenario That Creates Pe

When sectional title owners invest in enhancing their units with luxurious upgrades, a critical question often arises: who bears the responsibility for insuring these improvements? Understanding the distinction between what the body corporate covers and what remains the owner's responsibility is essential for comprehensive protection. The Body Corporate Insurance Mandate The body corporate holds a clear legal obligation to ensure common property and all built sections to thei

Property owners occasionally discover damage to their sections or common property resulting from infestations of ants, termites, rats, birds, or other pests. When this occurs, a natural question arises: Does the body corporate insurance policy cover such damage? Understanding cover limitations in this area helps set realistic expectations and encourages appropriate preventive measures. Body corporate insurance: The Direct Answer Body corporate insurance policies do not typica

When a body corporate member suffers financial loss due to claim averaging or rejection resulting from underinsurance, they naturally seek ways to recover their shortfall. For elected trustees, this reality creates a significant exposure that many don't fully understand until it's too late. The legal framework places clear responsibilities on trustees, and failing to meet these obligations can result in personal financial liability. The Fiduciary Duty of Trustees Elected trus

Imagine this: your vehicle is damaged while being towed in Namibia, or a body corporate trustee travels to Mozambique for a business meeting, but takes along the BC laptop for the AGM prep and it gets stolen — only to discover later that their insurance claim has been declined because it happened outside  the policy’s territorial limits. It’s a frustrating (and costly) surprise that many policyholders could easily avoid, if they understood one small but important clause: Terr

When trustees talk about levies, voting rights, and maintenance costs, there's one document that determines it all: the Participation Quota Schedule (PQS). Yet most owners barely glance at it, and many don't understand what it actually does. Here's the reality: your participation quota isn't just a number on a spreadsheet. It's the backbone of your body corporate's financial structure, and nowhere is this more critical than when it comes to insurance. What Exactly is a Partic

Nine Fridays. That's all that stands between you and Christmas. Nine increasingly chaotic Fridays where your productivity will plummet, your inbox will fill with "quick drinks" invitations, and your brain will slowly turn into mulled wine. Welcome to the Silly Season, where common sense goes on holiday before you do. The Great December Delusion Let's be honest: December is when we all collectively lose our minds. We're tired. We're burnt out. We're desperately counting down t