The festive season is inching ever closer, bringing with it the prospect of get-togethers, braais, and entertaining loved ones.
By: Serapelo Mofokeng, Head of Client Services at Miway Insurance
The festive season is inching ever closer, bringing with it the prospect of get-togethers, braais, and entertaining loved ones. However, the approaching summer period is also typically a heavy rainy season for most parts of the country, characterised by storms that can quickly throw off even the best laid plans.
Unfortunately, there's little we can do to tame Mother Nature's often wet outbursts, which tend to take place when we least expect them. However, by taking the necessary precautions ahead of time and ensuring that your property and possessions are adequately protected, you can go a long way towards minimising potential damage and reducing the risk of unwelcome expenses.
Here are a few top tips to tackle the stormy season:
Storm systems tend to be localised and can come and go in the blink of an eye, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. As such, it's best to stay informed and ensure you regularly consult your local weather forecasts to ensure you're not caught entertaining in the rain. Should you be advised of an approaching storm, try to avoid the outdoors, which can become dangerous during heavy downpours, and make sure your car and any other valuables are stored out of harm's way.
Some insurers offer up handy weather alert services, which enable you to keep tabs on your immediate surroundings and take appropriate action. These often come complete with convenient SMS services, which enable you to register your claim immediately after a storm, bypassing call centre queues. Talk to your insurer to see whether this option is available to you.
When it comes to storms, your best defense is comprehensive preparation. Give your home a thorough once-over before disaster strikes. Make sure all your cracked or broken windows and frames are replaced, and check for any leaks in your roof, ensuring that no tiles have shifted. It's also important to clear your drains and gutters of any residual debris, and to repair or replace any broken pipes.
You'd also do well to trim any overhanging tree branches that could potentially be dislodged and wreak havoc in the event of strong winds. Additionally, you'll want to keep your outside area clear of light and delicate items like decorations, plastic tables, and chairs etc. when ‘the party is over’.
If you have a thatched roof, a working lightning conductor is an absolute must. Make sure yours is SABS approved and that it's been treated within the last 7 years. Additionally, you'll need to ensure your roof is checked regularly to ensure compliance and thus reduce potential fire risks.
It's important to remember that, whilst your valuables might be covered by your insurance policy, turnaround times can be long after particularly aggressive storms due to the volume of claims being filed. As such, a pre-emptive approach to protecting valuable items like vehicles and pool pumps is strongly advised.
Should you see a storm approaching, make sure your car is parked undercover, preferably in a garage, to avoid costly hail damage. It's also a good idea to ensure that your pool pump is securely covered, as it could suffer the same fate. You'd also do well to ensure your expensive appliances are unplugged or equipped with surge protectors to avoid potentially costly lightning damage.
Whilst there's a lot you can do to minimise damage to your property and valuables, nature's rage can often still have the upper hand. And when it does, the ensuing costs can be astronomical. It's vital that you arm yourself with an insurance policy that covers you against storm-related eventuality - from smashed windows to flooding and hail damage. It's also important to bear in mind that insurers are typically inundated with claims in the wake of violent storms. Make sure your insurer offers you the opportunity to avoid call centre queues and log your claim online or via a designated app.
Come rain or shine, make this festive season one to remember for all the right reasons by ensuring you're prepared to take on any weather-related eventuality. By making adequate provisions and eliminating potential risk factors, you'll be able to live this festive season, your way.
Miway is a licensed non-life insurer and Financial Services Provider (FSP 33970).
