June 1, 2025

Know your policy – Part 1 – Vehicle Insurance

This month, I’m introducing our very own series.


Critics say it is a sleeper hit. Some say Netflix is concerned.


And now, with the series you’ve all been waiting for, I proudly introduce: Know Your Policy, and today is Episode 1: Know your Vehicle Insurance


As you know from my previous newsletters, my priority is to make sure that you aren’t left disappointed by the outcome of your next insurance claim. But I need your help to ensure that your policy reflects your insured assets correctly.

KNOW YOUR VEHICLE POLICY


When you insure your vehicle with us, remember that in most cases we haven’t actually inspected or even seen your car at all, so please don’t assume that your policy has all of your car’s details and features listed correctly.


With that in mind, here are three things you need to know about your vehicle insurance policy so that you don’t have any bad experiences with your next claim.

1. Is your vehicle information on your policy correct?


Open your policy urgently and check:

  • Is your car’s VIN and engine numbers correct?
  • Is your car’s registration number correct?
  • Is the correct person listed as the primary driver? Most insurance companies nowadays have an open driver policy which means that any person with a valid driver’s license can drive your vehicle. However, some insurance companies may have an additional excess payable if the driver was anyone other than the primary driver and his/her spouse.


If you pick up any mistakes on your policy, please urgently contact my office to make the necessary changes to your policy.

2. Are all of your accessories listed?


My team isn’t familiar with every option that is available for every car on the market. So, to avoid problems with your claim, you need to be as specific about your car’s accessories as possible. 


Does your car include?

  • A non-standard radio/cd player?
  • ‘Mag’ style wheels and tyres?
  • Aftermarket audio equipment such as amplifiers and subwoofers?
  • A canopy, tow bar or roof racks?
  • Window tints and/or smash & grab film?
  • A bulbar or roll bar?
  • A tracking unit?


All of these items need to be specified on your policy because any non-specified accessories will not be paid out in the event of a claim. 


If you have any doubts or questions about whether an item/items must be specified as vehicle accessories, then please contact your vehicle’s closest dealership and enquire from them. For example, you may have purchased an older model BMW that has all the bells and whistles, but the vehicle didn’t come out standard with all that. The best way to find out is from the dealership.



3. Tracking and anti-theft measures


Are you supposed to have a tracking unit in your car? What does your policy say?


Insurers routinely require certain vehicles, particularly higher-value luxury vehicles or high-risk vehicles, to be fitted with a tracking device that is linked to an active monitoring service. Vehicles that require a tracking device will not have theft or hi-jack cover if the device was not installed and in working condition.


Insurance companies will normally supply you with a list of approved tracking devices. If you are not certain, then please contact us and we’ll clarify. The fitment of tracking devices is of such importance that one can’t take any chances.

Conclusion


Today, we’ve looked at all the reasons why it is critical that you understand what’s in your vehicle insurance policy and that it correctly reflects your vehicle’s details and accessories. We’ve asked you to make sure that all of your vehicle’s basic info is there, that all of your accessories are listed, and also that you understand whether or not your vehicle requires a tracking unit and all that that entails.


Remember that it is your responsibility to ensure that your policy is correct. Please don’t just assume that everything is as it should be because that is a recipe for potential disappointment later on down the road when you need to claim.


See you next month for the hotly anticipated next Episode 2: Building Cover and Household Contents.


Always in your corner,



Stephan Kruis

Your roof and your insurance: Valuable lessons you need to know.

July 3, 2025
Dear Reader, What does your roof look like? When last did you climb up and inspect your roof for cracks, loose tiles etc? When last did you clear your gutters? What condition is it in and has it been properly maintained? Most of us never look at our roof and we wouldn’t be able to answer those questions. But knowing those answers will give you an advantage if the day ever comes that you need to submit a claim for your roof. In my experience, roof claims are very difficult, and claims are frequently rejected . Of course, as your broker, I want to help you ensure that your claim is successful should you ever need to claim for your roof. So, in this month’s newsletter, I am going to tell you the three things you need to know about roof-related insurance claims .

Know your Policy Season Finale - Stuff You Take Out of the House

June 17, 2025
Dear Reader, I know that it’s a hard pill to swallow, but the sad news is that my epic three-part series is coming to an end this month. But don’t worry, I’ve got plenty of exciting content lined up after this one! Today it’s the season finale and it’s a subject that is probably one of the least understood amongst policyholders. No, I’m not talking about annual cost increases (sorry). But if you guessed ‘All Risk Items’, well then you’d be surprisingly correct. Today that’s what we’re covering. Otherwise known as ‘Portable Possessions’ or, as I like to call them, ‘ Stuff you take out of the house ’. Stuff you take out of the house is exactly what it sounds like - it’s any possessions that you leave the house with and which therefore isn’t covered by your household contents policy section. These possessions are insured under a section of your policy called ‘All Risk’ or ‘Portable Possessions’ . Statistically, we are all likely to have to claim against this part of our policy at some point. And yet, it’s one of the policy sections that clients least understand . Let’s change that.

Know Your Policy Part 2: Household contents

June 10, 2025
Dear Reader, This month, we continue my riveting series that I began last month. In that newsletter, we looked at all the things you need to know about your vehicle insurance. This month, it’s Episode 2: Know your household contents policy In other words, we’re discussing your stuff, and the insurance that you’ve taken out (or perhaps haven’t taken out yet!) to protect it. Household contents cover insures your belongings against various listed dangers (or ‘perils’ as your policy may refer to them). Specific listed perils will vary from policy to policy but generally you can expect your household contents policy to cover your belongings against fire, floods and theft. Additional perils may or may not be covered depending on your policy and on the cover you chose. But as with most things in life, the ‘devil is in the details’ and you really need to know your policy in order to benefit from its cover. Before I continue, remember that my team and I haven’t been inside your house and we haven’t seen your possessions, so it’s your responsibility to make sure you check your policy and make sure that it covers your stuff adequately. In particular, please study your policy wording in detail as this is what the insurer is going to use when adjudicating a claim. The policy wording will inform you of what is covered, but more importantly, it will inform you of what is NOT covered - or what is excluded - from your policy. And now, to help you ensure that any future claim of yours is successful, here are three things you need to know about your household contents cover: