CGF ARTICLES, OPINIONS & EDITORIALS
WINTERISE YOUR HOME TO MINIMISE INSURANCE RISK (2015-07-14)
July 14,
2015 11507 11507 
A stitch in time saves nine
Winter is well and truly here and the plummeting temperatures usually bring a fair amount of mayhem and discomfort with it. The good news is that with some simple preparations and planning to ‘winterise’ your home, cold temperatures don’t have to sub-zero your pocket or your mood.
Most people get to experience the inconvenience of a burst geyser or water pipes at inopportune times, usually when the temperature has taken a sub-zero plummet in the early hours of the morning. “It’s important to remember that there is a difference between buildings and household contents cover. It could well mean that damage to your geyser, pipes, ceilings and so on (building) and damage to furniture or appliances (content) would be lodged as two separate insurance claims, which means that you may need to foot the bill for two excesses,” says Mandy Barrett of insurance brokerage and risk advisors, Aon South Africa.
Getting to grips with the terms of your cover is a role best undertaken with a broker who can do a proper assessment of all the technicalities and fine print and advise you accordingly.
In the event of a burst geyser or pipes take the following prompt action:
- Familiarise yourself with where your water mains and stopcock is located beforehand.
- Switch off the geyser electrical isolator switch on the main distribution board.
- Turn off the water mains and the stopcock fitted to the inlet pipe of the geyser.
- Open all the hot water taps in your house to relieve the pressure inside the geyser.
- Move as much of your furniture and other valuables away from the water.
- Contact your broker and make arrangements for an accredited plumber to assist you. Aon offers a 24-hour incident line so you can call for immediate assistance, 24/7.
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