Santam named top SA short-term insurer

Cape Town – In an independent research survey whose findings were based on a poll of businesses from across the country, Santam was yesterday voted the top South African short-term insurer in the Business category of the annual 2017 Sunday Times Top Brands Survey.

Mokaedi Dilotsotlhe, Santam’s Executive Head: Brand and Marketing, says, “The Sunday Times Top Brands Award is a firm endorsement from our clients that we are delivering on our brand promise of insurance good and proper. As this is the fourth consecutive year that Santam is recognised as the top short-term insurer in this category, it is encouraging to see that an increasing number of businesses see Santam as a trusted and reliable brand.

He says when rating insurers, business owners consider the quality of the products and the perceived value they receive - as well as the interplay between quality and value. “Trust and fair settlement of claims are also at the heart of what clients’ value in an insurer. While trust is important in the decision-making process, business owners should also be encouraged to look holistically at the overall quality of the insurance offering, taking into account client service, price, and most importantly the ability of the insurer to meet their expectation of paying claims on a consistent basis.”

Santam is one of South Africa’s leading general insurers and provides short-term insurance cover to more than one million policyholders ranging from individuals to commercial and specialist businesses - including most of the JSE Top 100 companies.

Dilotsotlhe also points out to the fact that innovation is changing every part of society and the insurance sector has to remain nimble as the way people live, work and communicate continue to evolve. “Clients expect insurers to respond and adapt to the on-demand world of today and they require unprecedented levels of readiness. Santam remains proactive to ensure that we stay ahead of the changes taking place in society.

“We regularly monitor the health of our brand through research with both clients and intermediaries. We also take a firm view that the brand must consistently be relevant and freshened up to be in tune with modern developments and changes in client behaviour. Over and above this we take our role as a socially responsible citizen very seriously. In this vein, we are proactive in how we try to reduce risks, in collaboration with a number of local partners,” he concludes.