The year has flown by and many of us are thinking about our holiday getaway. Besides accommodation, party planning and gifts for loved ones, one thing that should be on top of your to-do list is taking the steps to protect your most important assets – your car and house.
Theft, burglaries and car accidents increase during the festive season, and insurance companies require that policyholders go to a reasonable level protect their property. Making sure that your home and vehicle are protected is easy and relatively inexpensive, as demonstrated below:
Top five tips for homes:
- Install an alarm system with radio-linked armed response and test it regularly.
- Double check that you have locked every door and window before you leave.
- Unplug all appliances not in use to prevent lighting/power surges and fires.
- Do not leaves tools (ladders, spades) outside that can be used to break into your house.
- Stop post and newspaper deliveries to your house, or ask a neighbour to collect them.
Top five tips for cars:
- Ensure that your car and trailer (if you use one) are roadworthy and that your driver’s licence is valid.
- Service your car regularly.
- It is compulsory to carry a warning triangle with you, and wise to keep a toolkit in the boot.
- Ensure that you have a spare wheel and tools to fit the spare.
- Before you leave, check the aircon system, brakes, battery, tyres, fluids, lights and windscreen wipers.
Most insurance companies will require that the above steps are taken, or your claims may be disputed or rejected should you need to claim.
Your insurance is there to protect you in the case of unfortunate, unforeseeable events; keeping to the requirements will ensure peace of mind when all is well, and financial security when it is greatly needed.
To learn more about our Car and Home Insurance, please visit: Standard Bank website
