Your house is probably the single biggest investment you’ll ever make. But big or small, luxurious or basic, there are certain things without which a house is a little more than a collection of walls, doors and windows with a roof overhead – a building, no different to a million other buildings out there. Something to buy and sell without emotion, a mere commodity. 

But your house is much more than just a shelter from the elements. It is your safe place, both physically and emotionally. It is where your memories live. It is where you connect with your nearest and dearest, and with your inner self. It is where you go when you grow weary of the world, to refresh, recharge and regroup, so that you can emerge again, ready to take on the challenges that help you grow. What is it that makes it that place? It is the things you fill it with, from furniture to personal possessions, from memories to companionship. 

Because of that, your house is perhaps the most important place in your life. And because it means so much to you and those who share it with you, you need to protect it at all costs – from crime, from natural disasters, and from the gremlins that weaken your water pipes and chew through your electric cables. Because some of the things you fill your house with can be replaced, but some cannot. 

While no insurance company can replace the memories, companionship and love that are such important ingredients in making your house your home, furniture can be replaced, and damage can be repaired. The thing is that doing so often costs a lot, and you don’t want to add financial worries to the other woes when fate deals you a hard blow. 

While we often think about our vehicles when we think about insurance, your home is even more important to cover, because loss of or damage to your house will have a much more disruptive effect on you and your family. That’s why buildings and home content insurance is something you shouldn’t be without. But not just any insurance – when you are covering something this important, you need an insurer that is both reliable and experienced. 

With well over three decades of insurance experience, Auto & General fits the bill to a tee. You can rely on their Buildings and Home Contents policy to offer all the protection you need to sleep peacefully in the knowledge that your haven is covered, regardless of what fate may throw your way. Visit our page  for more information or contact us directly .

The TEAM at ES BROKERS

Thank you to Auto &General for this article  .

When a business owner is faced with the loss of revenue, retrenchments or even bankruptcy, it can be hard to keep an entrepreneurial mindset alive. However, it’s often a time of crisis that forces entrepreneurs to focus, evolve and find new innovative opportunities to weather the storm. 

As an intermediary, you are ideally placed to advise and guide your business clients through this unchartered territory. We’ve put together four tips to help bolster their confidence and come out of this storm stronger. 

1.     Employees – the greatest company asset 

It might sound clichéd but it’s true: a company’s employees are their most valuable asset. Firstly, if a business can afford it, it should offer as much financial and emotional support to its employees as possible during this difficult time. If the business is operating during the pandemic, it should put measures in place to protect employees as far as possible. This includes education to fully explain the hazards to their health and safety within the workplace, and precautionary measures to reduce any exposure. Being supportive will encourage employees to keep delivering high quality outputs during challenging times. 

2.                 Reimagine client journeys 

Now’s the ideal time for a business to map out its client journeys at every touch-point – from awareness to post-purchase stage – and work at making them more client-centric. If your clients take a closer look at the entire journey, they will easily identify where interactions can be automated and where the user experience can be improved. Encourage them to ask their clients and staff for input, conduct surveys, and test different solutions. Small changes right now will give quick learnings – without costing them the earth if they don’t work. 

3.                 Get ready for post-lockdown 

Remind clients to use this downtime wisely and spend time reflecting on what works and doesn’t work in their business operations and services. Reviewing these things will show the gaps that might cost them revenue and the opportunities in the market they can cater to. Now’s the time to upgrade to more efficient alternatives, such as updating outdated equipment or implementing key training for staff. 

4.                 Review business insurance 

Work with clients to review all their insurance policies to see if they are adequately insured and to prevent any further losses. Ask them to make a checklist of what is covered and what is not, and help them fully understand their policies without making assumptions. 

Taking these steps – good risk management practices, updated safety training for employees and clients, as well as a solid plan for the new normal – will be make or break for businesses to survive. Santam is doing everything in its power to bolster your clients’ businesses, including a R400-million COVID-19 relief fund to help clients, suppliers, and contribute to the Government’s Solidarity Fund. 

If you have any questions about Santam insurance cover, please get in touch with us. For more advice tailored to intermediaries, please like our page and blog page   for  more articles.

Article complements of SANTAM INSURANEC COMPANY

The TEAM AT ES BROKERS

SEVEN SIMPLE MEASURES TO AVOID MUGGINGS UNDER LEVEL THREE REGULATIONS

Level three of lockdown kicks off on the 1st of June and there are certainly one or two items on the “things we’re allowed to do” list that has us jumping for joy. An easing in restrictions on outdoor exercise means that residents will be allowed to exercise any time during the day, provided that this is not done in groups. So how does one venture out safely under level three regulations? Well, we’ve compiled a list of seven simple safety measures that you can follow to reduce the risk of falling victim to muggers.

1. Remember to be completely aware of your surroundings. Whether you are running, jogging, or just taking a Sunday stroll, keep your head up and your eyes and ears open. It is not recommended that you listen to music whilst exercising as it impedes your ability to detect not only other people but traffic too.

2. If you are alert of your surroundings you should be able to detect whether or not you are being followed. If you feel like you are being followed by another pedestrian walk to a public place such as a mall or the nearest police station. Remember to always walk on the side of the street that faces traffic, however, if you feel like you are being followed by a vehicle, never try to outrun them, rather turn around and go in the other direction.

3. Get security on the go with our Blue Mobile Panic App. Having the panic button seconds within reach means we’re only a couple minutes behind at all times, should you ever feel unsafe.

4. Walk in an assertive, confident manner, making eye contact with the people around you. Learn to identify suspicious behaviour and steer clear of strangers who appear to be up to no good. Remember, we should be practicing social distancing, so don’t feel guilty for crossing the road when you see people coming your way!

5. Plan your route before you go out, ensure that you stick to well-lit areas, and avoid short cuts through deserted parks and other areas. Although we are now allowed to exercise during any time of day, try to go when the sun is still out and remember that as Winter approaches it will begin to get darker much earlier in the day.

6. Although you are not allowed to exercise in groups, this doesn’t mean you have to venture out entirely alone. Go for your daily run or walk with another member of your household, but ensure that you maintain the recommended social distance of 1.5m. If you must venture out alone, inform a loved one of the route you will be taking and when to expect you back.

7. Carry only what you would need in an emergency and keep any valuables out of sight. Walking around on your cellphone and carrying your wallet in your back pocket make you an easy target for muggers. If you are carrying a bag, wear it diagonally across your body rather than on one shoulder as this makes it easier for muggers to snatch the bag and run.

The initial stages of lockdown may have seen a decrease in crime across the board, but as we “level up” and regulations ease up we can expect the same stats to climb again and possibly skyrocket in a post-lockdown South Africa. Remember to always be vigilant, practice caution, and keep yourself and your loved ones informed on the latest measures to stay safe as we resurface from staying home.

Article compliments of Blue Securty 

When we entered this lockdown period we could only make an educated guess at the effect it would have on crime. Fast forward a number of weeks, we’ve seen several predicted trends emerge and even a few that we did not foresee, such as the climb in rooftop incidents, during mid April.

When South Africa went into shutdown,

• We saw a community still plagued by crime,
• A variety of new cyber scams arose themed to this COVID19 era,
• Businesses became a common target,

and according to Tracker’s stats the balance between car theft and hijackings shifted as quiet streets and lone drivers created the ideal opportunity for hijacking incidents.

Pre-COVID19, the stats for vehicle theft and hijackings were 50/50, but during the initial lockdown the numbers slanted with an average 63/37% split towards hijackings. When the lockdown was extended, the stats evened out once again, most likely due to an increase in vehicle movement, after an easing in restrictions.

Since level 4 regulations were implemented, vehicle crime has begun rapidly returning to pre-lockdown levels and could possibly skyrocket in a post-lockdown world. With this in mind, we’ve compiled our top car crime safety tips to help you keep safe during these uncertain times.

Car Crime Safety Reminders:

MAINTENANCE IS A MUST

Cars left idle in the garage can start to act up – ensure that your vehicle maintenance is up to date. If you haven’t driven or started your car frequently during lockdown, check to make sure it still has life in it, and grab a pair of jumper cables at the next opportunity. This will decrease the likeliness of you breaking down alongside the road where you are left vulnerable to hijackers.

TIMES HAVE CHANGED

Previous high-risk hours for hijackings included 11am to 1pm and 8pm to 11pm. With curfews in place, we will likely see a change in peak hours as day-time hijackings become more prevalent. As we approach a post-lockdown world, remaining vigilant at ALL times is essential to keeping safe.

KEEP CRIMINALS ON THEIR TOES

Be cautious of the routes you take and if possible switch them up. Limitations on the possible places you can travel make your movements predictable. The parking lot of shopping centres, offices, petrol stations, and the driveway to your home – these present hotspot areas for opportunistic criminals that lie in wait.

BE AWARE OF HIJACKING TECHNIQUES

In the past, reports of hijackers mimicking traffic police officials, stopping drivers and robbing them of their valuables and their vehicles, was common. As roadblocks have become a more regular occurrence during lockdown, criminals might use this as an opportunity to target victims. If a roadblock appears suspicious to you and you are unsure that the vehicle or person pulling you over is an official, remember to remain calm and switch on your hazards – showing that you are prepared to cooperate – then drive to the nearest police station.

BE CAUTIOUS OF CAR THEFT MODUS OPERANDI

Criminals get craftier with every passing day – it’s important to keep up with their latest modus operandi to avoid falling victim to their clever tactics. In a recent car crime trend caught on CCTV, thieves pulled up alongside a parked vehicle and before the driver could lock the car, the suspect secretly opened one of the doors – preventing it from locking.

KEEP YOUR CAR CLEAN

Much like leaving the doors to your home wide open, a car with valuables in plain sight only creates temptation for thieves. Limit the items you carry around with you and if you do have valuables – store them in the boot of your car – out of sight of prying eyes.

In the event that you find yourself in a hijacking situation, remember to remain calm and do not attempt to argue with the hijackers. If asked to step out of the vehicle, use the hand closest to the seat belt to unclip it. Avoiding eye contact and refraining from any sudden gestures, comply with their requests. Always remember that your life is more valuable than your vehicle.

We’re in unknown times and with the impact lockdown has had on the economy and people’s livelihoods, South Africa is bound to see an increase in criminal activity. Remember to always be vigilant, keep your eyes and ears open and your mobile panic button close. 

Article compliments of BLUE SECURITY 

Thanking Hollard Insure for keeping us in the know.

Cyber Crime… Knowledge is power and it’s always good to be a step ahead rather than part of the statistics.

Now more than ever, people from all walks of life are reliant on technology to get them through the day.

Cyber is one of the top risks we face; as criminals move away from risky, violent crime to the unknown, faceless world of cyber-crime, a wider range of possible victims are exposed.

Should the unforeseen occur and you do suffer a cyber incident, having a Cyber Insurance Policy can assist in limiting the damages suffered both by you, the individual, and your company.

Coverage extends from theft of funds to business interruption, cyber extortion, public relations and forensic investigation costs, and liability cover for your company.

Cyber insurance policies provide wide-ranging coverage for a multitude of cyber-related perils.

Cyber safety while working from home:

To contain the spread of the coronavirus, companies around the world have instituted what has become the largest “work from home” movement in history.

Remote working brings many benefits; studies by the Harvard Business Review and Stanford University have shown increased productivity and reduced staff turnover among remotely working staff.

Despite all these benefits, there are however some potential downsides, notably in relation to cyber risks.

In the wake of large-scale global events, cyber criminals are among the first to attempt to sow discord, spread disinformation, and seek financial gain.

Please be on the lookout for the following:

• Phishing emails with malicious links or attachments
• COVID-19 related investment scams 
• Miracle products claiming to prevent, detect, or cure COVID-19
• Online retail fraud and counterfeit goods related to the virus, and donation or fundraising scams

Here are some simple pointers to help keep you and your company safe while working remotely.

Ensure that your Wi-Fi connection is secure

If you’re making use of your own home internet connections e.g. fibre lines, consult user guides and configure a secure password for your Wi-Fi network. Below is a brief guide on how to do this:

1.       You need to access your router to change the password. The quickest way to access your router is through a web browser, e.g. Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, etc.

2.       Most routers come with a manual specifying the IP address of the device allowing you to connect to it. Most routers use IP address: 10.0.0.2, 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1, but your user manual should help guide you

3.       Browse to the correct IP address in your browser and enter the default router username and password (should you not have already changed this), these are typically:

1.       Username: admin

2.       Password: admin or password

3.       If these login details don’t work or you have forgotten what you changed your credentials to, resetting your router should reset the credentials to the above. Again, consult your user manual on how to reset your router; it generally requires holding in a reset button

4.       Once logged into your router, select ‘Change Wireless Password’ or select ‘Wireless settings’, Setup or Wireless depending on your router type. Type in your new Network Key (new wireless password), select apply or save, and then reconnect your devices using your new wireless password

5.       While you are on the interface for your router, it’s perhaps not a bad idea to change the default password from admin or password as may be relevant. Try and avoid making use of public Wi-Fi, particularly if you are not totally sure that you are connecting to a legitimate Wi-Fi connection. Another useful tip is to tell your device to forget those networks that you do not connect to on a regular basis

1.       Ensure that your endpoint protection (e.g. anti-virus) is installed and fully updated.

2.       Ensure that security patches and updates are applied as soon as possible after release.

3.       Enable encryption on your endpoint, as well as any storage devices being used.

4.       Make sure that you are using a secure connection to access your work environment (e.g. VPN), ideally with multi-factor authentication.

5.       Lock your screen if you are working in a shared space, and don’t leave your devices unattended.

During a recent Carte Blanche exposé, Your Money or Your Data – The Rise of Ransomware, it was reported that an attempted ransom attack cost Johannesburg’s City Power utility an estimated R50-million in downtime and associated experts’ time and fees. The encryption of City Power’s data brought the utility to a standstill.

 Please take a look at the Carte Blanche video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDFz357C-04