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Five essential insurance tips for a stress-free festive season

Five essential insurance tips for a stress-free festive season
30-10-24 / Shelly Nxumalo

Five essential insurance tips for a stress-free festive season

Johannesburg - The festive season is a time of joy and relaxation, but it can also be filled with unexpected stress if you are not prepared. Ensuring that your life, home, car, and valuables are adequately protected with the right insurance is always a good idea, but according to Head of Operations at Nedbank Insurance Angela Vernes, there are a few simple steps to ensure your holidays are worry-free.

Here are some simple steps to ensure your holidays are worry-free:

  1. Prepare your home for the holidays: In South Africa, summer often brings thunderstorms. Check your roof and make sure that gutters and downpipes are free from debris. Trim trees to prevent damage to your vehicle and home in the event of a storm. Also, check your pipes and taps for water leaks to avoid water damage and high municipal bills. 'A little maintenance can go a long way towards reducing the chances of having to claim during the festive season,' Vernes says. 'Taking simple precautions now can help ensure a worry-free holiday; and if anything does go wrong, being covered by a reliable insurance policy, like MyCover from Nedbank, means an unfortunate event doesn't need to be the grinch that steals your festive happiness.'
  1. Review and update your insurance cover: Road accidents increase over the festive season. Make sure you know about the roadside assistance offered as part of the MyCover personal lines product.  If you are staying home or travelling, review your household contents insurance. If you buy new items or exchange gifts, make sure they are covered. Take photos of items and keep receipts for proof of ownership. High-value items like electronics and jewellery may need extra protection, especially if they're portable. 'Nedbank's MyCover offers flexible options to ensure your belongings are secure, even when you're on the go,' Vernes explains. 'If you're worried about higher costs for additional cover, consider bundling all your short-term insurance – such as home, vehicle, and contents – under one MyCover policy to simplify your life and save on premiums.'
  1. Beef up your security: The holiday season can be a prime time for break-ins as many homes are left unattended. Consider adding security measures like motion-sensor lights, alarms, secure locks, or even electric fencing – all of which are available at a discount to Nedbank MyCover policyholders through our Value for Life benefits programme. In case you do suffer a burglary while you're away, make sure your cover includes emergency assistance and a temporary security guard to protect your home until the damage is fixed. Test your alarm to make sure that it is working properly.
  1. Protect against power surges and outages: Power outages and surges are common during the holidays due to increased electricity demand. It's vital to have household contents insurance that includes cover for power surges to ensure that your electronics can be replaced quickly if they get damaged. 'MyCover offers optional protection against power surges, ensuring that your electronics remain safe,' Vernes explains. 'It even provides cover for food spoilage due to a power outage, which can be especially useful if a surge damages your freezer while you're not there to take immediate action.'
  1. Prepare your car for holiday travel: Schedule a service to check tyre pressure, fluid levels, and brakes. Pack essential items like a first aid kit, jumper cables and wheel-changing tools. Vernes highlights the importance of also having comprehensive vehicle insurance as an additional layer of protection from costly road trip mishaps. 'No matter how well you look after your car, accidents can happen,' she says, 'but having comprehensive cover ensures you're protected from any unexpected events on the road or weather-related damage, allowing you to travel with confidence.'

The festive season is a time for joy, family and friends and not stress and worry. So, while you're making plans for the holidays, be proactive about protecting your home, vehicle, and valuables. 'Taking the time to maintain your home, update your policy, and enhance security isn't just about reducing risk; it's about having genuine peace of mind and being ready for anything, so you are free to celebrate the holidays without the weight of what-ifs hanging over you,' Vernes says.

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