First secure and then have a good...

First secure and then have a good time

The holiday season is fast approaching and many of us will be travelling to different parts of the country to either spend time with family or for a break. Before you jet off to have a good time, make sure that your insurance is updated, and you have adequate cover.

Unfortunately, with any holiday season comes several unique risks that should be noted. Remember to insure your valuables and always be alert and aware of safety and security risks in and around your home. While on holiday or if you’re stay-cationing.

Follow these few simple tips to enjoy greater peace of mind for a safe and rewarding time-off:

Stay-cation or holiday? Either way be safe

Although the restrictions have been relaxed and we can now travel, remember that the pandemic is still a concern and as such you still need to make sure that you choose to vaccinate and follow the Covid protocols. 

Many braais will be held and with the current nippy weather, heaters and fireplaces will be on. Remember that this could also result in a fire so be extra careful. With careful consideration, holiday fire hazards can be prevented. By simply ensuring that you check each cord to make sure they aren’t worn or broken. It’s also important not to overload electrical outlets and household extension cords, which can overheat and cause a fire.

Criminals are also known to target residences when people are at home, entertaining and have guests. Oversharing on social media can sometimes lead criminals to your home. Never ever update your whereabouts on social media for safety purposes. As a homeowner, make sure that your doors remain locked and that all perimeter entrances remain closed or monitored at all times.

Unattended homes are also a prime target for criminals during holiday time. If you will be travelling, try and get a house sitter and if you can’t, try and leave some lights on to give an illusion that you are home. Also make sure that your alarms and other security measures are fully operational while you are away. If as part of your policy, you have listed that you have an alarm and a burglary happens and they investigate and find that the alarm wasn’t working during the burglary, your claim might be repudiated.  

Before heading off on long drives, get your car checked out and make sure you know what your car insurances covers you for and which numbers to contact in case of emergencies. 

A few tips for the holiday season:

For your home 

• It isn’t a requirement to update insurance coverage during the holiday season by most insurers but for safety and peace of mind it might be advisable to do that, especially if you plan to entertain guests or purchase expensive gifts. Review your personal items cover.
• iWYZE Home cover comes with automatic liability cover to protect you if a third party claims against you for accidental death, injury or illness that occurs on your property. Make the wise insurance choice.
• Secure your property by switching off appliances, especially because that loadshedding can happen anytime and without notice. This can damage your electrical appliances.
• For the shopaholic that will be heading to shopping malls, be extremely vigilant when locking your vehicle to avoid becoming a victim of car-jamming.

Party animals should:

• Take an Uber instead of your own vehicle on nights out
• Plan one pick-up destination to share traveling costs
• Think about parking and how secured they are when on a night out 
• Be mindful of your belongings – from cash and jewellery to cellphones
• Do your insurance checklist incase things go missing – from laptops and cellphones to car and tyres – is everything covered?
• Make wise insurance choices all the time, especially during the holiday season.

Up your cybersecurity

• Cybercrime never takes a holiday, in fact, it is during the holidays that cybercriminals run their scams. A lot of South Africans have embraced online shopping and with that comes another security threat, always be careful when shopping online and ensure that the website you are shopping on has a padlock and starts with https.
• If your device has a “find me” service – activate it.
• Cybercriminals can use some apps on your phone to spy on you and steal your details. Only download apps from official app stores, and even then, read other users’ reviews carefully.
• If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is, stay away from clicking freebie links online.

South African roads are renowned for being amongst the world’s most dangerous, especially during holiday seasons. Everyone seems to want to rush to reach destinations thus ignoring road rules.  Be realistic about life’s ups and downs even before the holidays: It’s not something we like to talk about, but given the realities, adequate death and disability cover are practically a non-negotiable – especially if you have children and families to take care of.

Make sure that you:

• Have a funeral cover, life insurance and disability cover 
• Check if the destination that you are visiting is covered by your insurer
• Check that the activities that you are going to participate in are covered in your life policy
• Check if your dependents and loved ones are covered by your policy
• Check and update your will

In today’s life, insurance is not an option, it’s a necessity. Insist on having it, and insist on having the best of it. From Car to Home and Life cover, get the best from iWYZE. Make the wise insurance choice. 

SOURCES

https://www.fanews.co.za/article/short-term-insurance/15/general/1217/tis-the-season-but-don-t-forget-your-insurance/33573

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-12-14-checklists-to-help-you-stay-covered