Al het die daaglikse beurtkragskedule 'n blaaskans gekry, bly Suid-Afrika se verouderde elektrisiteitsnetwerk hoogs onstabiel. Kabeldiefstal, substasiefoute en netwerkskakeling veroorsaak groot kragstuwings: skielike spannings-pieke wat alles kan uitbrand, van jou TV en yskas tot jou duur hekmotors en alarmpanele.

Is kragstuwings ingesluit?

Baie polishouers glo verkeerdelik dat 'n standaard huisinhoudpolis outomaties kragstuwingskade dek. In werklikheid is kragstuwingdekking dikwels 'n opsionele byvoeging, of dit is ingesluit maar met 'n streng sublimiet (byvoorbeeld beperk tot R10 000 tot R20 000). Om 'n dubbeldeur-slimyskas en 'n hoë-end televisie te vervang, kan hierdie limiete maklik oorskry.

Verpligte beskerming

Om die hoë volume kragstuwing-eise te hanteer, verskerp versekeraars hul vereistes. Baie vereis nou dat 'n klas 2-stuwingsafleier (surge arrestor) deur 'n gekwalifiseerde elektrisiën direk in jou huis se hoofverspreidingsbord (DB-bord) bedraad word. Daarsonder kan jou kragstuwing-eise afgekeur word.

Wenke vir polishouers

  • Hersien jou limiete: Kyk vandag op jou polisskedule presies hoeveel jy vir kragstuwings gedek is, en verhoog die limiet indien nodig.
  • Beskerming by die prop: Gebruik vir duur elektronika, soos rekenaars en tuisvermaakstelsels, goeie gehalte, versekeraar-goedgekeurde stuwingsbeskermer-verlengprope as 'n ekstra laag beskerming.
  • Trek die prop uit wanneer jy weg is: As jy vir 'n lang vakansie weggaan, trek nie-noodsaaklike toestelle heeltemal uit die muur. Dit is die enigste 100%-sekere manier om kragstuwingskade te voorkom.

While the daily schedule of load shedding has seen a reprieve, South Africa's ageing electrical grid remains highly unstable. Cable theft, substation faults and grid switching create massive power surges: sudden spikes in electrical voltage that can fry everything from your TV and fridge to your expensive gate motors and alarm panels.

Is power surge included?

Many policyholders mistakenly believe that standard home contents insurance automatically covers power surge damage. In reality, power surge cover is often an optional add-on, or it is included but with a strict sub-limit (for example, capped at R10,000 to R20,000). Replacing a double-door smart fridge and a high-end television can easily exceed these limits.

Mandatory protection

To combat the high volume of surge-related claims, insurers are tightening their requirements. Many now demand the installation of a Class 2 surge arrestor wired directly into your home's main distribution board (DB board) by a qualified electrician. Without this, your surge claims may be declined.

Tips for policyholders

  • Review your limits: Check your policy schedule today to see exactly how much you are covered for in the event of a power surge, and increase the limit if necessary.
  • Plug-level protection: For high-value electronics like computers and home entertainment systems, use high-quality, insurer-approved surge protector plug extensions as an added layer of defence.
  • Unplug when away: If you are travelling for an extended holiday, unplug non-essential appliances from the wall entirely. It is the only 100% foolproof way to prevent surge damage.