Suid-Afrika se uiteenlopende klimaat beteken dat jou versekeringsrisiko's drasties verskil van provinsie tot provinsie. In Gauteng is die bedreiging vinnige, hewige somerhaelstorms en blitsvloede. In die Wes-Kaap kom die gevaar van langdurige winterreën, stormsterk winde en afgesnyde laagtes.
Die instandhoudingslokval
Ongeag jou provinsie is die grootste struikelblok vir 'n suksesvolle weerverwante eis die uitsluiting vir "geleidelike agteruitgang en gebrek aan instandhouding" in jou polis. Versekering dek skielike, onvoorsiene gebeure, nie slytasie nie.
As 'n hewige winterstorm in die Kaap jou dakteëls afwaai, sal jou versekeraar die eis beoordeel. Maar as die assessor bevind dat die waterskade binne die huis veroorsaak is deur geute wat drie jaar lank nie van dennenaalde en blare skoongemaak is nie, kan jou eis gedeeltelik of heeltemal afgekeur word. Dieselfde geld vir Gauteng-huise waar ou, geroeste dakflensies somerreën in die plafon laat insypel.
Wenke vir polishouers
- Gauteng-bestuurders: Maak seker jou motorversekering sluit spesifiek haeldekking in (dit is soms 'n opsionele ekstra op goedkoper polisse). Parkeer somermiddae onder soliede strukture wanneer donderstorms op hul hoogtepunt is.
- Wes-Kaapse huiseienaars: Laat jou dak, geute en stormwaterafvoere elke herfs professioneel inspekteer en skoonmaak voordat die winterreëns begin.
- Keermure: As jy teen 'n helling woon, maak seker jou keermure het genoeg oop dreineergate sodat waterdruk nie tydens swaar reën 'n ineenstorting veroorsaak nie.
South Africa's diverse climate means your insurance risks change drastically depending on your province. In Gauteng, the threat is fast, violent summer hailstorms and flash floods. In the Western Cape, the danger comes from prolonged winter rainfall, gale-force winds and cut-off lows.
The maintenance trap
Regardless of your province, the biggest hurdle to a successful weather-related claim is the "gradual deterioration and lack of maintenance" exclusion in your policy. Insurance covers sudden, unforeseen events, not wear and tear.
If a severe winter storm in the Cape blows off your roof tiles, your insurer will assess the claim. However, if the assessor finds that the resulting interior water damage was caused by gutters that hadn't been cleared of pine needles and leaves for three years, your claim could be partially or entirely repudiated. The same applies to Gauteng homes where old, rusted roof flashing allows summer rains to seep into the ceiling.
Tips for policyholders
- Gauteng drivers: Make sure your car insurance specifically includes hail cover (it is sometimes an optional extra on cheaper policies). Park under solid structures during summer afternoons when thunderstorms peak.
- Western Cape homeowners: Have your roof, gutters and storm drains professionally inspected and cleared every autumn before the winter rains begin.
- Retaining walls: If you live on a slope, make sure your retaining walls have adequate, unblocked weep holes so water pressure doesn't cause a collapse during heavy downpours.
