Festive Season Advice

During the festive season, many consumers’ only thought is to get in the car and get to their holiday destination. As a result, they often forget to protect two of their most expensive assets: their motor vehicle and their home.

 

The increase in traffic over the festive period invariably leads to a higher number of road accidents making it vitally important to remind clients who are planning to take a road trip or travel a long distance over the December holidays, to ensure that they are adequately prepared for any potential risks before they set off.

 

In addition to more cars being on the roads, people often tend to deviate from their normal road usage patterns at this time of year, which can lead to an increase in accidents. Christmas tends to see a rise in the level of drink driving as well as speeding and generally more erratic driving by people, so it is therefore crucial to warn your clients to take extra care and precaution during this period.

 

Before your client embarks on any journey, however, remind them to ensure that all of their insurance policies are up to date - motor vehicle, life and disability – and they have sufficient funds in their bank accounts to cover the end of month debit orders. It is also vital to make sure they have adequate insurance in place if they are travelling outside of South African borders.

 

It is also advisable to ensure that their motor insurance policy will provide adequate assistance should the need arise. A good motor policy should provide services such as jump starts, flat tyres and fuel delivery. If you break down more than a certain distance from your home, it should also provide overnight accommodation or 24-hour car rental.

 

In addition to making sure that the client is able to get to their destination, however; it is also vital to ensure that the client’s home is properly covered. Home alarm systems are commonplace nowadays but it is important to remind clients that it is their responsibility to make sure that the alarm is in working order.

 

Any home insurance cover may be invalidated if an alarm is not properly set or working. It is therefore a good idea for your client to test their home alarm system before they leave for holiday. If a theft takes place because the alarm was faulty or the back-up battery was flat then the claim may well be repudiated.

 

To test the alarm your client can either activate it on purpose to see the response; ask their alarm company to service the system before they go on holiday; or switch the electricity off to see if the battery is a working condition.

 

An old alarm system with old technology is also very easy for an experienced criminal to bypass, so it is a good idea to update a home alarm system with new technology every 4 to 5 years.

 

If one is going away for an extended period of time, some clients may ask a friend, relative or domestic worker to housesit for the duration of their holiday. If this is the case, they should also inform the house sitter of the importance of setting the alarm should they leave the premises at any time. It may also be advisable to inform your insurer of your plans in advance, in case this affects any terms and conditions on the policy.

 

The December holidays are a much-needed rest period for most of us and by taking a few simple precautions now, clients can ensure they won’t be facing a fraught time with their insurer. By taking the time to advise clients properly, brokers can also provide that extra added value that differentiates their service from their competitors.