DECEMBER 2011 NEWSLETTER
- POWER OF ATTORNEY
This is a reminder to all clients who take custody and control of insured property, on behalf of another party, e.g.: a child who goes oversees and leaves his/her vehicle with you: If you are left with the care and custody of a vehicle, or other property, not belonging to you, please remember that if you are required to make decisions regarding the disposal of such property, you will not be able to act on behalf of the owner unless you have a signed power of attorney, laying out the details of the arrangement between you and the owner. A power of attorney authorises a party to act on another person’s behalf in business and legal matters. It can be specific or general, and need not be notarized. There are many examples and templates available on the net which you can modify to suit your needs. If you have a signed power of attorney, and you are required to sign an insurance settlement on behalf of the other party, and possibly arrange transfer of ownership, you will be able to do so, on the strength of the power of attorney.
- ZURICH DIGITAL ASSESSMENTS OF VEHICLES
Motor Accident Repair Quotes refer :
Client’s who have their motor vehicles insured with Zurich need to request the panel beater to undertake a digital assessment i.e. take digital photos of the damage, when requesting a repair quotation.
The photographicevidence will be ‘forwarded’ together with the written repair quotation at the time of registering the claim with Zurich.
The digital assessment obviates the need for an Assessor to view the vehicle damage& thereby streamlines the claims process.
- NON-DEPENDENT CHILDREN
Please keep in mind that once your child is no longer financially dependent on you as the parent, he or she may need to obtain his/her own insurance, in particular vehicle insurance.
This often applies to students who start working, but during their studies, have their vehicle covered on their parents’ insurance policy.
- TYRE AND RIM EXCLUSION
Please note that there is no cover for damage to tyres, rims and suspension if such damage is caused by uneven road surfaces, i.e. potholes.
In some instances, you may have right of recourse against the relevant Municipality.
- EXTRAS ON VEHICLES
If you have any extras on your vehicle, e.g. mag wheels, towbars, canopies etc, please let us know so that we can include their value in the sum insured for your vehicle. We have noticed with claims for total loss(theft and write-offs), that if the extras have not been specified, insurers will not include the value of the extras in their settlement, particularly if the sum insured is not adequate to cover these items.
- SIGNAGE ON VEHICLES
Please inform us if you have any signage on your vehicle, as the cost to replace this, in the event of an accident, will need to be noted as an extraon your insurance policy.
- USEFUL ITEMS TO KEEP IN YOUR CUBBY-HOLE
The following items in your vehicle, could be extremely useful when the unexpected happens:
- Notebook and pen to take down details of anybody you have a collision with.
Remember to make a quick sketch, take notes and the name and contact details of any witnesses, for later retrieval
- A torch (with batteries).
- Telephone number of a reputable mechanic/tow truck operator.
- Details of your insurance policy, doctor and medical aid.
Another handy tip is to take photographs with your cell phone if you are in a collision. You can even take a photo of the other party’s licence disc or registration if you can’t get any information out of this party.
- CAR TRACKING DEVICE
Please don’t forget to test your vehicle tracking device regularly as it is a requirement of your policy that the tracking device is always in good work order.
Some policies require the device to be tested every 6 months and this becomes a policy condition//warranty.
- THATCH
Please note that thatched roofs, gazebos and other thatched additions on your property are not regarded as standard construction on your insurance policy.
If you have thatch on your propertyand you have not advised us of this, please contact us so that we can amend your policy to note this. This is irrespective of whether or not we insure your building as Insurance Companies consider thatch to be an added fire risk and it must accordingly be noted on your policy.
Failure to do so can affect any claim you might have, including a claim for household contents.
- RETAINING WALLS
Cover for retaining walls, is often EXCLUDED in terms of the building insurance policy wording and the recent excessive rains have highlighted the need for ongoing building/home maintenance.
Garden walls, that were originally built to “separate” the planting in the garden, have now become retaining walls and most of these are under designed and under specified, as per building regulations.
Hence the exclusion of cover for retaining walls on homeowners insurance.
SEASONS GREETINGS
BEST WISHES FOR 2012
JANE, RYAN, ROY, MAGESH, FARZANA LYNNE, MICHELLE & LISA
P O Box 201015, Durban North, 4016 FSP No. 15219 VAT No.: 4030183711
75 Columbine Place, Glen Anil 4051 Member: Trevor Donald
Tel: 031 5694155 Fax: 031 5694158 AMS Haven 2070 cc CK No. 1999/011783/23
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