Tired of translating the ‘legalese’ in your policy? We’ve highlighted some of the most common stumbling blocks under each major section of your policy.

Please note: This document does not take the place of your policy wording or policy schedule but will go a long way to clarifying some of the obscure legal terminology and ensuring your peace of mind

Your building should be insured for the current cost of rebuilding your house and not for the price you can sell it. This includes your outbuildings, private garages, paths, driveways made of brick, concrete and stone, but not gravel. Fencing, pools, gates, boreholes, garage motors, sprinkler systems, tennis courts, satellite dish and geysers, etc.

Standard construction must be referred to us, for example, thatch roofs, lapas, or wooden sheds. This could be seen as a risk – altering structure. Please inform us immediately of same in order to ensure that we advise the insurer.

Depreciation, wear and tear, faulty design or workmanship in an incorrect manner, rodents, ants, moths or other insects and their larvae, vermin or damage caused by your own pets are some examples that is never covered on your personal policy.

It is vital to ensure that you enjoy adequate cover for the replacement of your household items for should the replacement goods be more than the insured amount at the time of a loss your claim will be proportionally adjusted and you will be responsible for the difference. We make it easy for you by supplying you with an Inventory Form that you can complete in your own time. Please get this back to us as soon as possible to avoid under-insurance.

It is very important to notify us if any of your risk details change, for example your physical address.

If you have an armed response linked alarm discount on your policy it means that the alarm must be in full working order, maintained and activated when you are not at home.

Please lock valuable items such as jewellery items in a locked safe, unless you are wearing the items.

The general rule is that all external doors require security gates and all opening windows require burglar bars unless you have a linked alarm with armed response.

If you have anything out of the ordinary, for example, Persian carpets, wine collections, valuable paintings, expensive patio/garden sets, please let us note these on your policy to avoid any problems at claim time.

Please advise us should you have a home office for some policies do not cover items used to generate in income, and some provide limited cover. We have solutions for all your concerns.

Your clothing and personal items that you would normally wear or carry, household goods that you are transporting to and from any place of purchase, repair or renovation.

The following items are not covered under the Specified All Risks Section of the policy and must be added to the Specified All risks section:

Please remember that you need proof of ownership and replacement values for your specified items. It is important to keep your purchase invoices and packaging.

Always ensure that you have updated valuation certificates for your jewellery.

You must inform us if you have any extras on your vehicle, for example alloy wheels, sunroofs, etc. We have to then increase the sum insured for your vehicle.
If you have a tracking device installed in your vehicle you have to ensure that it is tested and in working order.
If you have a non-standard factory fitted sound system you should add it to the specified all risks section of your policy as well as any cd disks.

It is vital that your vehicle is insured for the correct use:

Private Use: Social, domestic, pleasure including to and from work.

Business Use: Social, domestic, pleasure including to and from work and visiting of clients but not delivering business goods.

Commercial use: This cover is not available under a personal lines policy and includes vehicles being used to carry or deliver business goods. These vehicles must be insured on a business/commercial policy.

Please ensure that your vehicle is insured for the correct usage.