Ensure claim succeeds

THIS WILL HELP WITH A CLAIM AGAINST YOUR INSURANCE

There are common pitfalls we see time and time again that result in insurance claims being repudiated, or only partially paid out. Below are five key examples to avoid.

An example of where this happens is if a parent is the policyholder and a student child buys a car that’s insured under the parent’s policy. Because the vehicle was purchased by your child, there’s no insurable interest, as there will be no financial loss for you if anything happens to the vehicle. If your child claims, the claim will likely be rejected.

Let your advisor know the full details of any vehicle added to a policy, so appropriate cover can be put in place. Don’t assume that simply adding a vehicle to a policy will mean it’s covered.

A case in point was when a client put in a claim for a bull bar that was stolen from his bakkie. No extras were noted in his policy and the sum insured was only sufficient to cover the bakkie itself. The claim was therefore rejected.

Ensure any fittings (e.g. bull bars) and all accessories (e.g. sound system or canopy) are specified as extras, in addition to the sum insured value of your vehicle.

Note, you might need cover for mag rims or your tyres – anything you’ve changed or upgraded versus the standard vehicle must be noted.

All too common, this is an issue when claiming for a burglary. If your security features weren’t enabled at the time of the burglary, the claim will likely get rejected.

Ask about any elements of your cover that are your responsibility.

If you’re covered for having a locked security gate, an active electric fence or burglar bars on your windows, these features must be in place and in good working order at all times.

If you move house and don’t notify your insurer of your new address, any claims at the new premises will be rejected.

Insurers usually require that you give written notice of your new permanent physical address before you move, because your new address means your risk changes and so may your premium.

Periodically adjust the sum insured cover on your cellphone in line with the market value of the same model.

Claiming for a stolen cellphone can be disappointing if your sum insured value is insufficient. All too often we have clients who aren’t able to buy another “top-ofthe-range” cellphone when theirs is damaged or stolen.