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Toyota (two cars), Volkswagen (one car), Kia (one car), Honda (one car) and Peugeot (one car) had all their entry-level vehicles score within the acceptable range.

The Peugeot 108 received the highest safety rating of 110 points. The Peugeot 108 was the only entry-level vehicle to include a curtain airbag, and it was also the only vehicle to include all safety features considered in this report.

The vehicle would probably have obtained a higher score had it been crash-tested, the AA said.

The association said it is encouraging that 26 of the 27 vehicles are equipped with Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) and that 26 vehicles have front driver and passenger airbags.

The least common safety feature was curtain airbags (only one vehicle) and side airbags (only three vehicles).

“We repeat the call we made then for the government to urgently review current minimum standards which are simply not good enough and to press for the mandatory inclusion of these technologies in all vehicles, including those at the entry-level,” the group said.

“A significant finding of this year’s report is that only three of the vehicles are equipped with Electronic Stability Control.

“This is particularly concerning as ESC is a proven technology which can reduce road crashes. It’s astonishing and discouraging that so few vehicles come equipped with this technology as standard for entry-level vehicles.”

Article courtesy of Businesstech
(This article is posted with the intention of the safety features and test results and not promoting any one particular vehicle brand)

Do:

• Check your insurance policy carefully before making a claim – This will help you avoid unnecessary disappointment and effort if you’re not actually covered for whatever has gone wrong. Check exclusions, claim limits and your excess level particularly carefully.
• Contact your insurer as soon as possible – You should contact your insurer as soon as you possibly can after an incident has occurred. There are deadlines in most home cover policies for how long you have before a claim becomes void and can’t be made.
• Have all your details to hand – Try and get together all the home insurance documentation you have when you contact your insurer, it will help avoid unnecessary delays and misunderstandings.
• Take photographs – Photographs can provide some of the most powerful evidence in support of a claim. Whether you’ve had something stolen, or part (or maybe all!) of your home damaged, take plenty of photographs. And if you can also get your hands on photographs from before the incident, if relevant, it will give the insurer a clear comparison.
• Keep receipts – If you have any emergency work done which can’t be avoided without first contacting your insurer, make sure you keep the receipts and invoices. Likewise, if you have items valued, keep the valuations in a safe place as they can act as both proof of ownership and a good reference for replacement value.
• Be clear and don’t embellish – It might be tempting to embellish on what actually happened in the hope of strengthening your claim, and while you might not be lying as such, it would impact negatively on your claim if the insurer felt you were deliberately pushing for more than you’re perhaps due.
• Contact the police if it’s a crime – If you’ve been robbed, or had your property damaged by malicious behaviour, you should contact the police immediately (again, delaying could negatively impact on a claim). You’ll be given a crime reference number which you need as part of any claim you subsequently make.

Don’t

• Accept a claim settlement if you’re not happy with it – Contact your insurer and ask how they arrived at the settlement. If you’re not happy with the outcome, write to the insurer and explain why you’re not happy with the offer, and what you want them to do. If they don’t make you a new offer, you should take it to the financial ombudsman.
• Organise non-emergency repairs without checking with your insurer – If you organise repairs which couldn’t be considered ‘emergency’ in nature without first consulting with the insurer and getting their agreement, you risk invalidating any claim (e.g. a big hole in a supporting wall would be an ‘emergency’, but a hole in a ceiling might not be).
• Dispose of damaged goods before the insurer has seen them and agreed it – It might be tempting to start clearing up and throwing away spoiled items as soon as you can, but these will probably form part of a claim, and an insurer needs to see the items first. Keep them somewhere safe until your insurer confirms you’re ok to throw them away.
• Claim for small sums which spoil your no claims bonus – Some claims just aren’t worth making if they ruin your no claims bonus, or no claims discount as it is also called (this builds up over a number of years if you don’t make a claim). A claim might be for, say, £200, but this may be less than the no claims bonus is worth.
• Claim for small sums which are less than your excess – It’s common sense really, but there’s no point making a claim if it’s for the same or less than the excess you have to pay (the ‘excess’ being the first part of any claim that the insured has to pay).

All of us have probably at some point experienced load shedding and power failures, and having an alternative power source available can certainly make life easier.

It is exactly the unpredictability of a continuous electricity supply and the high cost thereof, that lead to people obtaining electricity from alternative power sources. As a result, the use of gas appliances, solar panels and generators in homes and on farms has become increasingly popular and has increased considerably over the past few years.

One of the cheaper options is the use of Liquefied Petroleum (LP) gas for heating and food preparation. While gas is generally a safe product to work with, it can pose a risk (just like any fuel) when used or installed incorrectly.

Dangers

Gas incidents occur due to human error, such as incorrect use and faulty installation, as well as the lack of maintenance, which can result in explosions, fires and the inhalation of carbon monoxide.

Other possible causes of these LP gas risks include:

·       Poor pipelines and connections.

·       Damaged or rusted cylinders.

·       A cylinder too close to a heat source, and

·       Cylinders that are stored incorrectly.

If gas does not burn properly or is used in an area without adequate ventilation, it produces excess carbon monoxide. When inhaled, oxygen is reduced in the blood and this can lead to dizziness, headaches, nausea, chest and abdominal pain, unconsciousness, and in extreme cases, even death.

That is why it is very important to be aware of these dangers, as well as the legislation and regulations that apply to fixed gas installations, such as a built-in gas stove, hot water system, gas fireplaces and gas burners etc.

The specific legislation regulating gas installations is contained in the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1993 (as amended).

Certificate of conformity (CoC)

Since October 2009, it has been mandatory for a certificate of conformity (CoC) to be issued for fixed gas installations by an authorised person registered with the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Safety Association of South Africa (LPGAS) as a gas practitioner for the specific gas installation.

The certificate confirms that the gas installation complies with the requirements of the legislation and meets the necessary South African National Standards (SANS) regulations, and is, therefore, safe.

The South African Gas Qualification and Certification Committee (SAQCCGas) is authorised to register gas practitioners as competent within a specific scope of work.

Possible implications

An LP gas installation without a valid certificate will make the installation illegal and possibly unsafe, and can lead to serious consequences, especially in the event of injuries or death.

If a fire or explosion should occur due to a gas leak, incorrect/faulty installation or maintenance, and there is no up-to-date conformity certificate available, your insurance company may also repudiate your claim.

Be proactive

Protect yourself, your family, workers and visitors by being proactive and make sure you comply.

For further information or assistance pertaining to Gas installations please visit our website www.esbrokers.co.za.

This article is intended to provide information and not any advice or legal advice. Written by Liza De Beer Old Mutual Insure

Although hijacking isn’t a crime that is unique to South Africa, it’s prevalence in this country has made it an important part of the national discourse. Motor vehicle crime may have decreased during lockdown, but a loosening of restrictions has invited the crooks back onto our streets – and a new ‘trend’ is emerging.

Anti-crime advocate Yusuf Abramjee has made a name for himself in the world of law enforcement. According to the activist, a recent spate of hijackings suggests that these opportunistic thugs are no longer satisfied with just stealing the motor and any personal possessions. But rather, they are now taking victims to ATM machines, adding to their criminal rap sheets.

LATEST HIJACKING TRENDS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Once the targets have been driven to the nearest cash point, they are being forced to take cash out of their bank and hand it over to the robbers. Although this isn’t strictly a new ‘method’, the trend itself has spiked since June, putting authorities and motorists on high alert. Abramjee told Pretoria Rekord:

“We are observing dramatic increases in hijackings and motor-vehicle theft – criminal syndicates are at work. We’re also seeing more hijackers taking victims as hostages and forcing them to withdraw cash from ATMs before freeing them.”

“This is extremely concerning and it is bound to get worse. Our unemployment rates are soaring due to the effect that the lockdown has had on our economy and criminals are getting desperate.”

HOW TO AVOID GETTING CARJACKED

All vehicle owners are being implored to keep valuables out of sight when parked, ensure that their doors are locked even while in transit, and avoid stopping at the side of the road for long periods. Motorists must stay vigilant at all times, and in the month of July, we’ve seen hijackings reach new extremes:

§  Driveway carjackings surged, as criminals adapted to the new “work from home” culture created by lockdown.

§  A pair of criminal suspects hijacked a van carrying COVID-19 samples, causing a testing backlog in PE.

§  And, just this week, another hijacking attempt at a petrol station was recorded.

Visit our website for more details www.esbrokers.co.za

Article courtesy of The South African on-line

We have received numerous questions relating to the “validity” of licenses pertaining to vehicles during the “lock down” period and how claims are being dealt with.

Regulation 6 [Validity period of licences] of Notice 544 of Government Gazette 43339 of 20 May 2020 [Extending the validity of learners’ licences, driving licences, licence discs, professional driving permits, and registrations of motor vehicles] has been amended, as follows:

1)     All learner’s licences, driving licence cards, temporary driving licences and professional driving permits that expire during 26 March 2020 up to 31 August 2020 are deemed to be valid and their validity period is extended for a further grace period ending on 31 January 2021.

2)     All motor vehicle licence discs, temporary permits and roadworthy certificates that expired during 26 March 2020 until 31 May 2020 are deemed to be valid and their validity period is extended for a further grace period ending on 31 August 2020.

3)     Motor trade number licences that expired during 26 March 2020 until 31 May 2020 are deemed to be valid and are extended for a further grace period ending on 30 November 2020.

These extensions have been signed off by the Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula and Gazetted on 22 July 2020.

All motor claims will be dealt within the scope provided above and will not be delayed due the “expiry” of mentioned licenses.

We trust that this will clarify the uncertainties regarding the renewal process of the various licenses mentioned above and the claims handling process.

If you have any questions feel free to visit our website www.esbrokers.co.za
A copy of the gazette is also available on request.

Article courtesy of our Business partners,  Brolink Administrators

Even though it is debatable whether retailers will be held legally accountable for allergic reactions to hand sanitisers, retailers should act cautiously and ensure they have adequate cover in place.

Government issued a directive requiring all stores to comply by ensuring that they have hand sanitisers available, with the only requirement being that they should be 70% alcohol based. Retailers had to be compliant by order of law, and may not have had enough time to conduct thorough testing. Scientific study will likely show that in any control group, a percentage of people could expect adverse reactions to any product. The question is whether stores can be held legally accountable if, for example, one out of every 10 000 people has a non-lethal reaction. Should the risk of averting Covid-19 enjoy priority over general consumer safety?

Dogs have evolved into more than just a man’s best friend, they are our loyal companions and our trusted protectors. But how do we protect them? We have seen dog poisonings become more and more prevalent during housebreakings and we want to make sure that you know how you could save your dog’s life if he or she is poisoned.

The ease with which robbers can feed your dog a poisoned piece of meat makes it exceptionally difficult to avoid and prevent poisoning altogether. Apart from training your dog not to eat from a stranger or nibble on something they found thrown onto the property, which would defy their natural instincts, poison prevention for your pet is quite grim. This is why we want to equip you with the following information centered around saving your dog’s life should you be able to determine that they ingested poison.

When you know your dog well, it is easy to know when something is wrong. A poisoned puppy could display any of the following symptoms so look out for these when you notice any unusual behaviour:

·         Vomiting

·         Diarrhea

·         Seizures

·         Blood in the stool

·         Lethargy

·         Loss of appetite

·         Bruising

·         Nosebleeds

·         Irregular heartbeat

·         Inability to urinate

If your dog indicates any of the above symptoms, then you need to consult a vet immediately. Do not, under any circumstances, try to treat your dog with a home remedy or try to induce vomiting. Rather wait for instructions from your vet or drive your dog through to the emergency room as soon as possible. Take great care to transport them carefully to avoid further stress and anxiety, which could cause your dog’s state to deteriorate further.

Scan your surroundings

You will need to make sure that the remains of the poison are removed from your yard, or anywhere within your dog’s reach. This will help prevent your pet from consuming the dangerous substance again when they are back home or if you have other pets in the yard. Look for odd food items such as meat or bread that would be thrown over your gate or walls.

If you do find any samples of the poison, then take it to the vet’s clinic. This will help the vet identify the poison faster and be able to treat your pet more effectively.

There is also a chance that your dog may have ingested a substance from within the house. You should also explore your home to check if your dog consumed any pills or detergents that may be causing these symptoms.

Have All Relevant Information Handy

In an emergency, you may need to take your dog to a vet that you have never seen before. This means that they do not have all your pet’s information on file. It is handy to keep a separate record of your dog’s details so you can provide specific information in an emergency situation. These details include:

·         The substance that your pet ingested (if you have any knowledge of the substance)

·         If known, the quantity that he/she consumed

·         Time of the first sign of symptoms

·         Age

·         Breed

·         Weight

·         Vaccination history

·         Names of all current medication

As much as we hope that we would never be placed in a situation like this, a responsible pet owner should always have a 24/7 veterinary doctor’s contact details to call in case of an emergency. To help you out, if you do not already have this information available, have a look at some of our suggested 24/7 veterinary clinics below for Kwa Zulu Natal .

Westville Veterinary Hospital
Contact number: 031 267 8000
Address: 31 Jan Hofmeyr Rd, Westville

Hillcrest Veterinary Hospital
Contact number: 031 765 3221
Address: Chube House, 32 Old Main Rd, Hillcrest

Ashburne Veterinary Clinic
Contact number: 031 562 1037
Address: 32 Burne Cres, Glen Ashley, Durban North

Apart from keeping our beloved pets safe from poisoning, we also need to protect them from being stolen. Read more on how to keep your faithful friend safe from dognappers.

For more information of assistance regarding this information please visit our website - www.esbrokers.co.za

We would like to thank  Blue Security allowing us to share this  information with our communities. 

Rational thought often vanishes when a car lover examines a gleaming vehicle. A part of his or her brain will say “you are getting in too deep, it costs too much”. Unfortunately, many will give in to the voice that looks at the monthly installment and says “you can handle it”.

Buyer’s remorse soon follows as the costs of insurance, maintenance and fuel are added to the monthly payment. The solution is usually to save money by compromising on insurance.

Cutting back on insurance brings instant relief to a hard-pressed wallet. As with most actions, it does have consequences, and some of the results can be catastrophic.

WHAT NOT TO DO

The most dangerous action of all is to have a knee-jerk reaction and cancel the policy. It’s best at this point to remember that cars bought on installment sale in South Africa have to be insured. 

If you are a high-stakes gambler who thinks that the risk is minimal because you are a good driver just be prepared to live with the unforeseen costs.

“They include paying all your expenses, and an insurance company suing you to recover the money spent on repairing a client’s car that you may have collided with.”

Of course, also to be considered is that your car could be damaged beyond repair. Without insurance, there will also still be installments to be paid. It’s a guaranteed balance sheet breaker.

What is most concerning in these times, is buyers who take compulsory insurance so that a car’s sale paperwork all looks fine and then cancels the policy a month or so later. As many finance houses run checks on insurance during the year, protection is purchased again, only to be cancelled a little later.  The results can be the same as not having insurance at all.

THE REALISTIC OPTIONS

The time to begin thinking about insurance payments is when you buy the car. As a consumer, you are not obliged to take a policy offered to you by a seller or finance house. Delaying the delivery of the dream wheels by a day or two allows you to shop around or ask a broker to do the homework for you.

Opting for a lower premium by agreeing to an increase in the excess payment,” is always an option. The problem is that the lower the premium, the higher the excess.

It’s one thing to have an excess bumped up from, say, R2 500 to R5 000 if you can afford it. Let it go too high and personal budgets and hard-won savings can go out the window very quickly,

The way is always open for a driver with only third-party cover to claim for repairs from another driver if that driver is comprehensively insured. The element of blame has to be proved, however, and can take some time while you sit without transport.

“Times are tough, but having a car insured is a ‘must-have’. Rather than expose yourself to unnecessary risk, approach your broker to see what can be done to reduce premiums, or shop around yourself. While doing so, remember that all policies are not created equal.

Cheap insurance isn’t necessarily good insurance. Read those T’s and C’s, or get your broker to advise you.
Always remember, you get what you pay for, if its cheap, there is a reason for that

For any assistance or advice please feel free to leave your details on our website www.esbrokers.co.za

Published in The South African
written by Charles Skinner

After years of start and stops – virtually all the operational provisions of the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA) finally came into force on 1 July 2020.

All businesses and public bodies will be affected. This development impacts every public and private body in South Africa. The infographic below provides an overview of the instances in which POPIA will apply to processing activities and the obligations which come with POPIA. There is a 12-month grace period - until 30 June 2021 by which to comply with the comprehensive requirements set out in POPIA and non-compliance can result in significant penalties - up to 10  years' imprisonment and/or ZAR10 million in administrative fines. 

POPI’s reach is wide – it regulates all organisations who process personal information, - information about employees, customers, suppliers and those who outsource key processing activities, share data offshore, or engage in direct marketing.

What is personal information (as defined in section 1 of the Act)
* private details: Race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, nationality, ethnicity, social origin, colour, sexual orientation, physical health, mental health, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language and birth.

* History of a person: Employment, medical, financial, criminal

* numbers and addresses: E-mail address, telephone number, address, and other identifying number.

* Biometric information: Blood Type, fingerprints, or other such identifying information

* Outlook: Views, opinions or preferences.

* Correspondence: Explicitly private or confidential correspondence or further correspondence that reveal origin of original correspondence.

* Views: Views and opinions of a person about another person

* Names: The name of a person that, if it is revealed with personal information.

Legislation requiring collation and processing of personal information:
FAIS,FICA, NCA, CPA, ECTA, CIPC, STIA, LTIA, PFA, MSA etc.
King IV - ICT compliance.

Article courtesy of Webber Wentzel as published in Polity on line