Eskom
announced that Stage 6 load shedding will be implemented from September 13, and
will continue “until further notice”. As the levels of load shedding increase,
so does the frequency of rotational power cuts, which have a direct impact on
increased risk of damage to sensitive electronic items due to power surges,
fires, and crime due to security systems not operating properly.
Greta Goosen, Head of Customer Experience at
MiWay Insurance, offers six tips on how consumers can safeguard their property
and assets from the effects of stage 6 of loadshedding:
- Double-check your backup battery
Touching on some of
the associated risks that accompany loadshedding, consumers need to ensure that
the backup battery for their electric fencing or alarm system can withstand
power outages for longer periods of time. This is an important factor to bear in
mind given that opportunistic criminals may aim to capitalise on security
system failures when the lights go out.
- Stay alert
When there is a
power outage, be cautious and take extra care to check your surroundings when
arriving at or leaving your home, as there may be opportunistic criminals
looking to take advantage of the darkness. Notify your neighborhood watch, an
armed response company, or the police if you detect any unusual activity.
- Be aware of the risks involving fire
Loadshedding also
brings with it an increased risk of fire damage, given that South African
households may be using alternatives such as candlelight or gas for heating or
cooking. It’s important for homeowners to check whether their insurer provides
cover for both fire and gas-related explosions, as well as what their
responsibilities are in mitigating the risks that come with using energy
alternatives.
- Get your manual hat on
Make sure that you
know how to manually operate electronic gates or garage doors in case of a
power outage, so you can still obtain access to your home during a power
outage. Remember to have the gate motor keys on hand and to install
high-quality, well-oiled padlocks that can protect your home and assets should
electronic devices fail during periods of loadshedding.
- Check that you have the right insurance cover
Many South Africans
may be concerned as to whether their home contents insurance policy covers
damage related to power surges. The answer will depend on the insurer’s
offering. MiWay’s home contents insurance policies give consumers the option of
adding additional cover for power surges and power dips.
The best way to
ensure that your policy is inclusive of this type of cover is to talk directly to
your insurer. You can prepare for the conversation by creating a list of
questions, all of which should form part of how you choose and negotiate with
an insurer. Some of these questions include:
– What is
the excess that applies if damage is incurred due to a power surge or dip?
– Is
having functional surge protection a prerequisite in the event of a claim?
– Are
there any electrical compliance issues I need to be aware of that will affect
the cover I can apply for? And will the damaged item be covered for its full
replacement value if it shuts down completely?
- Ensure a speedy claims process for loadshedding-related claims
The anxiety and
worry of waiting for an insurance claim to be approved is enough to drive many
up the wall. Luckily, the stress of claiming from insurance companies can be
alleviated with the right approach and some research into what your insurer
requires from you when claiming. Reading through your policy schedule will
familiarise you with your claim requirements and make the claims process easier
should the need arise.
In the event of
needing to process a loadshedding-related claim, homeowners will need to first report
any crime-related incident to the South African Police Service. In cases
involving theft or vandalism, a police case number will be required to initiate
the claims process.
Homeowners are also
advised to collect as much information on how the property destruction or
damage occurred. This may include affidavits by witnesses or bystanders,
receipts of purchase to validate the worth of an item as well as photo and
video evidence.
