Living in South Africa means having to deal with various types of weather – from blistering heatwaves and long, dry spells to heavy downpours of rain and even hailstorms. With changing climates come damages to properties and belongings and trying to understand and file a weather-related home insurance claim can seem like a daunting task. We’ve put together a helpful guide to help you understand exactly what to do in the event of a household claim due to bad weather.
Know your Policy – The most important thing to do when dealing with a weather-related home insurance claim is to thoroughly understand your home insurance policy. Make sure that you have an up-to-date policy that details exactly what you are insured for, what the burdens of proof for filing a claim are, and other important details. This will help you to prepare for any potential claims due to weather-related damages to your property.
Stay Protected – Many homeowners unknowingly contribute to the damage of their properties by not keeping up with maintenance on the property. Be sure to invest in regular property maintenance to protect your property from any weather-related damages – repair any loose roof tiles, clear gutters of debris, trim tree branches, check your walls for crumbling and overall check for any obvious damage or potential threats. This is a key step in preventing any damage to your house due to bad weather.
File your Claim – If you do find yourself in the unfortunate situation of having to file a claim due to storm damage, make sure to do it as soon as possible. Take pictures of the damage and make sure to list the exact details of the damages – the time it occurred, the type of damage sustained, the amount of damage, etc. This will enable your insurance company to make an informed decision and give you an answer quicker.
Having to handle a weather-related insurance claim can be a tricky business and it is important to understand the process and paperwork that follows. Following this guide can help you to reduce the risk of a rejected claim and get the necessary repairs done as quickly as possible.