05/02/2023
Five tips for keeping your house in order!
- Verify that you have enough building insurance.
Homeowners are protected by building insurance from structural damage brought on by fire, severe weather, burst geysers, and pipelines. Interestingly, it also includes accidental glass and sanitaryware damage as well as the replacement of keys, locks, and remote controls.
Market value and insured worth of a structure differ, and if you were to rebuild your house, the insurance payout should cover the costs. The expense of rebuilding your house from the ground up, including the cost of boundary walls, solar panels, a pool, taps, and tiles, should be covered by your buildings insurance. Additionally, inform your insurer if you've added a new room or done other significant home renovations to avoid being underinsured.
- Verify your homeowners insurance.
Check that your home contents policy covers the current replacement value of your household goods, not what you paid for them, as up to 60% of South Africans may be underinsured. High-value things that are only kept within the home should be protected, but as soon as you bring any high-value objects outside the home, they must be covered by your movable possessions insurance (defined all risks), otherwise they are in effect uninsured. Phones, laptops, jewelry, watches, sunglasses, clothes, your gym bag and its contents, and baggage are examples of items that fall under this category.
-Put in place measures to prevent fires
Effective early warning systems are the first and best line of defense against a fire, and although though South Africa's laws do not mandate the installation of smoke detectors in private residences, doing so is still a wise investment. Make sure you have a functioning fire extinguisher on hand, at the very least. Additionally, it's a good idea to keep your electrical system up to date, ensure that it isn't overloaded, and exercise caution while using portable heaters, kettles, and irons.
- Maintainence Is Crucial
Your home is your biggest investment, so maintaining it only makes sense. Although it may seem like a hassle, if you stay on top of the little things, the property should operate without a hitch. For instance, small tasks like cleaning out your gutters, maintaining the quality of your woodwork and decking, filling in cracks and painting where necessary, maintaining a tidy garden and plants, and inspecting the state of your roof can prevent large expenses and future issues.
-Security
Installation of an alarm system with armed response will not only provide you peace of mind but also lower the cost of your home contents insurance policy. Home security is crucial. The most important security precaution of all is to be alert of your surroundings and get to know your neighbors. Additional elements like burglar bars, security cameras, gates and walls, and sufficient lighting work in conjunction to prevent a burglary. A Neighborhood Watch program that works well is always a plus.
