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Car manufacturer Toyota is providing free security updates to drivers in South Africa in a bid to counter increased levels of luxury vehicle theft in the country by tech-savvy criminals.

Toyota said that local automotive intelligence has found that criminals are now using sophisticated technology to target high-end and luxury vehicles featuring keyless or smart entry systems and emergency start capabilities.

The group identified three main methods through which criminals gain entry to and steal vehicles with these features in the country.

“The rise in these crimes has partly been attributed to increased vehicle usage since businesses re-opened after the Covid-19-induced lockdown, as well as a new modus operandi on the part of criminals and syndicates, such as keyless access theft,” it said.

While this phenomenon affects automotive brands across the board – as well as all makes of cars – Toyota South Africa said that it has been proactively conducting extensive research and development into the enhancement of its vehicle security systems.

The group’s research and development team found that highly sophisticated cyber-attacks are being used by thieves to exploit the vehicle’s computer-controlled systems.

These attacks include CAN Attacks, Fob Relaying and a combination of Forced Entry and Key Cloning.

• The CAN Attack happens when the vehicle’s Control Area Network is infiltrated using highly sophisticated electronic equipment to gain entry and then access the computer system to start the engine.
• Fob Relaying is achieved using high-tech receivers and transmitters to remotely read the vehicle’s security key whilst in the possession of the owner, thereby allowing the attacker to unlock and start the vehicle.
• The third, a combination of Forced Entry and Key Cloning, is executed using advanced techniques and equipment to disable the vehicle’s alarm system and then cloning its security key.

Toyota said that it has now developed several measures to mitigate possible theft of Toyota and Lexus-branded vehicles in South Africa.

“These enhancement measures have already been shared with the Toyota dealer network through a series of practical online sessions and bulletins. In addition, the enhancements have also been reviewed and evaluated by VSS Administration – an independent South African organisation that specialises in vehicle security and automotive systems,” the group said.

Toyota customers who own certain models can take them to their nearest dealership for security enhancements from the first week of December.

The group said that all new vehicles, as well as those arriving at dealers for servicing, will automatically receive these enhancements. These will all be carried out at no cost to customers, it said.

Qualifying vehicles include:

• Hilux Legend models from 2019;
• All Fortuner models from 2016;
• Land Cruiser Prado (VX and VXL models from 2017);
• All Land Cruiser 200 with Smart Entry,
• Land Cruiser 300 and
• All Lexus RX and LX models from 2015.

Photos by Pixabay
Article featured in BusinessTech
link to original article -
https://businesstech.co.za/news/motoring/651229/criminals-are-using-these-new-high-tech-methods-to-steal-cars-in-south-africa/

The fast-approaching festive season is an exciting time for many families who pack their bags, lock their homes, and make their way to popular destinations like Plettenberg Bay or Ballito, or even global beach or ski destinations, to begin their holiday. Unfortunately, for opportunists, thieves, and criminals, it can also be a time of rich pickings.

“There is nothing that ruins a holiday quicker than the news of theft – from name-brand luggage and expensive gifts meant for others, to valuable items stolen during a break-in,” says Tarina Vlok, MD at Elite Risk, a high-net worth insurer and subsidiary of Old Mutual Insure.

She urges those who are travelling overseas over the festive break to ensure they are adequately insured for common losses resulting from lost or stolen baggage, or theft of personal devices like phones, cameras, or tablets.

“For expensive name-brand luggage – which can run into hundreds of thousands of rands – always put on a fragile sticker on your bag, consider a protective slipcover, and take a photo of your luggage before checking it in. Also keep your valuables on you rather than checking it in,” says Vlok, reminding policyholders that if suitcases are damaged during transit, say clasps and straps, it may not be easy to replace given that luggage repairs often mean that suitcases need to be sent overseas to get fixed, resulting in unexpected delays or long lead times.

“This is especially so if it is a once-off or bespoke item, making it difficult to replace quickly, and often the case with luxury bags. It is better to try and protect your luggage as best as possible.”

She adds that it may be a good idea to get a smart luggage tag, which allows you to track your bag’s location from your phone. “This can be very handy if your luggage goes missing, or doesn’t arrive at your destination,” says Vlok.

The good news is, if you have insurance, it is likely that your suitcase and its contents are insured under the ‘all risks’ section of your policy, for every local or global trip.

“Travel insurance, however, is something different, and is an additional product that needs to be acquired before travelling,” says Vlok, adding that if the unfortunate had to happen overseas and you were injured, travel insurance will pay for your medical costs and if necessary to bring you back to South Africa.

“Travel insurance is not automatically included with your non-life insurance. You may have embedded travel insurance with your credit card, but it is always best to speak to your broker or insurer to ensure that you have sufficient travel insurance cover,” says Vlok.

If you are travelling to South Africa’s popular holiday coastal towns, along the Whale Coast, West Coast, Garden Route, or Kwa-Zulu Natal, it is worthwhile to remember that many of these small yet affluent towns, can get extremely congested.

“If you are travelling to places like Plettenberg Bay, Hermanus, Knysna or Ballito for holiday, the shops or the beach will become very busy, making finding parking for SUVs, big or luxury vehicles, or trailers and boats, tricky. Fender benders or scratches and dents are common; rather see if you can park further away and walk the extra distance to avoid unpleasant surprises when you get back to your car,” says Vlok.

In 2021 a study by Australian Associated Motor Insurers (AAMI) found that shopping centre car-park collisions soar during the “silly season”. It found that highest number of shopping centre car-park collisions (2,554) occurred in December, followed closely by January (2,106). It also found approximately 40% more car park crashes in December than the monthly average for the 12 months to November 30, 2021.

She says that a good tip is to save the emergency assistance number of your insurer on your phone before departing for holiday in case you are in an accident or victim of a crime involving your vehicle.

Vlok adds that it is important to park in safe and secure areas, especially if travelling with visible gear and equipment, like bicycles, surfboards, kayaks, or Stand-Up Paddleboards (SUPs).

“Remember, it is the onus of the policyholder to ensure equipment is properly secured, failing which, the sad likelihood is that it may not be there when you get back. We see this time and time again,” says Vlok, adding that holiday towns are often rife with opportunists who pry on families with large, luxury vehicles.

Vlok says when it comes to travelling with boats or pleasure crafts like a jet skis, watercraft insurance is under a separate, specialist policy. “Pleasurecraft owners need to ensure that they have comprehensive cover in place whether it’s on the water or not,” says Vlok.

She explains that accidents often happen when holidaymakers have someone drive into the back of them while the boat is being towed, or even when it is stationary. It is important to ensure that you have cover for both the towing vehicle, the trailer and the pleasurecraft in place.

And, if you are planning to enjoy many of the wonderful weekend events on offer – like winelands picnics or summer concerts – remember to book a chauffeur or drive assist service long in advance. 

“Some insurers do offer this service for up to a few trips free per year. However, to avoid disappointment, remember to book this service at least two days in advance, especially before events like New Year’s Eve, which is typically extremely busy.

“And if you do all of these things, remain vigilant, and ensure your home security and alarms are in good working order, then all you need to do is have a wonderful and relaxing break,” concludes Vlok.

Photos supplied by Pexels
Article featured in The insurance directory
Link to original article -
https://theinsurancedirectory.co.za/holiday-a-time-for-rich-pickings-for-opportunists/

For the first time in two years, consumers shopping on Black Friday will be able to physically return to stores nationwide, to shop uninterrupted by any form of Covid-related lockdown restriction. 

With the highly anticipated return of consumers to physical stores, this year’s Black Friday frenzy presents a significant liability risk for mall owners and retailers in terms of the increased likelihood of shoppers experiencing some form of physical injury. 

Industry experts are therefore urging retailers to have thorough risk management strategies in place to avoid being impacted by ‘slip and trip’ claims over this busy period.

Dasran Padayachee, Team Manager for Financial Lines, Professional Indemnity and Liability Claims at SHA Risk Specialists (SHA), says the 2022 SHA Specialist Risk Review shows a direct correlation between the lifting of hard lockdown restrictions and a jump in personal injury claims. 

“With the lifting of all Covid-19 restrictions, it is anticipated that consumers will return in large numbers to malls and shopping centres this Black Friday to capitalise on sales and discounts. Therefore, retailers should prioritise in-store safety measures and ensure they are covered in the event of third-party claims.” 

Typically, specialist insurers have attributed an increase in foot traffic to an increase in public liability claims, with SHA reporting that the number of claims made in 2021 exceeded pre-pandemic figures. 

Jonathan Kaiser, Team Manager for Financial Lines, Professional Indemnity and Liability Claims at SHA, says: “Ancillary data collected by SHA suggests that ‘slip and trip’ claims may very well be on the rise. 

“Across all lines, recorded claims in 2022 so far have exceeded last year’s average by over 1000 new claims, with ‘slip and trip’ claims being estimated to rise by at least 14%.” 

In light of the fact that previous years have seen mobs of bargain hunters and huge crowds descending on retail outlets and shopping malls over the Black Friday weekend, retailers should be on high alert. 

Padayachee says there are three major levels of risk to consider that fall within the scope of public liability. “Firstly, the financial implications of a large number of valid claims and the valuation of those claims can have an extreme impact on businesses. 

“Beyond that, there are the associated knock-on effects of reputational risk to consider, where retailers could be regarded by the public as being unsafe or dangerous. Lastly, personal injury claims can put a target on the back of retailers who are particularly vulnerable to fabricated claims by opportunistic fraudsters.” 

Where personal injury or loss is incurred within a retail space, the onus falls on the patron to prove that the relevant owner or trader has neglected their legal obligation to provide a reasonably safe shopping environment. 

Legitimate claims are those based on firm evidence that the store owner has breached his/her duty of care, in which case an investigation will ensue. For this reason, retailers are advised to keep proper records of all incidents that occur, accompanied by video footage and witness statements where necessary. 

This information should be collated soon after the incident occurs in order to bolster the retailer’s credibility and accurate recollection of the incident to mitigate the chance of fraudulent claims. 

‘Slip and trip’ incidents in retail environments commonly occur in areas that are under maintenance or during cleaning. This highlights the crucial role of health and safety protocols and written agreements between insured retailers and their contractors to abide by the correct processes. 

Elaborating on the practical application of these protocols, Kaiser suggests that the following measures should be commonplace within retail stores: “Walking surfaces should never be unduly slippery and any hazards to this effect should be demarcated with legible warning signs. 

“All areas and walkways should be well lit and properly maintained and repaired where necessary. In addition, all railings, barriers and fixtures need to be properly secured to avoid any risk of falling. 

“Retailers should use clear signage to draw patrons’ attention to any risks within the area of operation, and disclaimer notices that indemnify the retailer against personal injury should be clearly visible.” 

Furthermore, public liability insurance policies are integral components of risk management strategies against claims from third parties, particularly in relation to ‘slip and trip’ incidents. 

Businesses should therefore also have suitable risk escalation processes in place to ensure that incidents are reported internally and to their insurer, in order to remain compliant with the terms of their policy. 

Kaiser encourages all South African retailers and commercial property owners to include and formalise risk management strategies in their preparations for Black Friday. 

“This should include talking to your legal advisor, broker or insurer about your responsibilities as a retailer, as well as the legal best practices for handling incidents if and when they do occur. As always, when it comes to navigating the precarious landscape of public liability, prevention and risk management are the best forms of protection.”

Photo source: Pixabay and Pexels
Article featured in Retail Brief Africa
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The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has clarified the rollout of the new South African Traveller Online Declaration System.

SARS announced in mid-October that a new ‘travel pass’ system would be introduced in the country but, at the time, gave little to no detail on the process or to who it applies. This led to widespread confusion among travellers and operators in the travel sector.

In a briefing this week, the taxman clarified what the pass is and how it works.

SARS said that the pass is simply a new way to digitally declare goods, in the same way travellers currently have to do through customs in paper form.

With the new system, a new web-based application will be used to enable travellers entering and leaving the country to pre-declare goods purchased, received or otherwise acquired and pay applicable taxes.

Some goods that are required to be declared include things such as:

• Products purchased or acquired abroad;
• Goods remodelled or repaired abroad;
• Anything prohibited or restricted, or controlled under any law.

The system aims to collect travel information and, in return, grants a traveller pass via email, said SARS.

This new system is planned to be rolled out at Durban’s King Shaka International Airport on 29 November 2022. This will be on a voluntary basis, the tax authority added.

Travellers will still be allowed in South Africa without electronic online declaration. However, the original method of the declaration must then be followed.

The new approach aims to:

• Make it easy and simple for travellers to comply with their tax obligations;
• Strengthen government approach to detect and deter illicit activities;
• Create seamless processes at ports of entry;
• Create awareness of a culture of voluntary complaint.

Beyers Theron, the director of customs and border control at the tax authority, told the media that travel cards and declaration documents are becoming more commonplace around the world.

All visitors to the country are currently obliged to fill out a Traveler Card (TC-01) at the airport if they have any items to declare. This card is used in conjunction with your passport during the customs procedure – the online system seeks to change this.

Traditional declarations in paper form and notoriously known to take up travellers’ time and be a thorn in administrative processes, said Theron.

With the declaration process now being moved online, SARS stated that travellers could expect a more seamless experience when going on holiday or business trips at any port of entry or exit in South Africa.

As border crime runs rampant across the globe, more measures are being put in place to protect against illicit flows of goods – mandatory permits have become all the rave in Canada, Australia and even Mexico.

Under SARs new SMART border project, the new declaration system will be voluntary at all ports of entry in 2023 and 2024; however, it may become mandatory at some stage, said Theron.

The new declaration method saves the traveller time, while SARS will also cut down on administrative costs.

This move by SARS is in line with the government’s overall aim to strengthen South Africa’s borders. Through the new online declaration system and subsequent travel permit granting. Traveller data and information is gathered to ensure a level of security in the country.

To successfully complete the declaration, travellers will need the following for declaration on the online system:

• Passport details;
• Travel details;
• Contact details;
• Travel companion’s passport numbers;
• Entity/Business details when travelling on a business trip;
• Goods including currency, when, entering or leaving the country.

Photo source – Pixabay
Article featured in BusinessTech
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https://businesstech.co.za/news/lifestyle/644143/sars-clarifies-new-travel-pass-for-south-africa-this-is-how-it-works/?utm_source=everlytic&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=businesstech

The internet is no longer a place with zero consequences, and things that happen online no longer stay online – even just sharing a message can land you in a sticky situation, says Michael Visser, a legal advisor at Legal&Tax.

South Africa has joined the global trend of taking a strong stance on what is allowed to take up a place in the cloud, with rules and regulations being imposed very recently.

Nowadays, anyone with a smartphone and their two cents to share, whether it’s nice or not, because there is the idea that the internet has no consequences, said Visser.

However, things have changed. Visser said that sharing certain types of messages over platforms like WhatsApp, TikTok, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram can now land you in serious trouble in South Africa.

In 2019, amendments were made to the Films and Publications Act (FPA) as well as a boost is given to the Film and Publication Boards budget of R120 million to tackle misconduct better online.

“Our Film and Publications Board (FPB) has been given the mandate, for the first time in its history, to do much more than just classify content.

“It is now a regulatory body with an enforcement tribunal on the cards, and that hefty budget will finally allow proper investigation of online crimes, allowing the tracking and tracing of their sources,” said Visser.

While we do have the right to freedom of speech, we do not have the right to freedom from consequences.

“Even if you didn’t write the comment or post the picture, sharing it makes you a responsible party. Under the amendment to the FPA, if you choose to publish – this can mean posting to your timeline, your WhatsApp groups etc – (messages that violate the regulations), you are complicit in the contravention of the rights of the individual or individuals indicated in the content.”

The legal advisor added these once-popular online crimes now come with some serious downsides. Sharing the following could lead to dire consequences:

Nude images of a person you previously dated

Between the amended FPA and the ambit of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), you may not publish any photographs or personal details to public platforms without the subject’s express permission – nude or not – said Visser.

“This includes personal identifiers, such as phone numbers, addresses, medical details and images that may suggest these details.”

He added that, even if you are under 18 years old, if the subject in a picture is under 18 years old, you can be charged with the distribution of child pornography.

Threats of violence and/or bullying

In South Africa, it is just as illegal to threaten someone online as it is to threaten them face to face or in a letter.

Many people have gotten away with this before because tracking usernames and handles was a bit beyond the law, but not anymore, said Visser.

“Online bullying and violent threats that were committed anonymously will be traced, and the perpetrators caught and charged.”

Inciting public violence

If you act or communicate in such a way that can reasonably be expected to illicit a violent reaction, you can be charged under Section 17 of the Riotous Assemblies Act, no 17 of 1956.

This applies even if you were joking as the law does not care about your intention, said Visser. If your actions (online or not) lead to public violence, you will be charged with the above.

Complaining about your boss

Depending on what you exactly say, you can end up being guilty of defamation, said Visser. With the speed at which commentary can spread on social media, it could get out of hand fast.

“Not just getting back to your employer, but if your remarks include the business, and they are able to prove loss of earnings as a result, that business can name you in a civil suit for damages, which you may have to pay.”

Hate speech

Racist, sexist, and bigoted content is not allowed, said the legal advisor.

These posts have flourished online under the guise of “free speech”, but there are now enough precedents, as well as the capability to investigate, to ensure that punitive fines or even jail time are levelled against transgressors.

Photos by Pixabay
Article featured in BusinessTech

Link to original article:-

https://businesstech.co.za/news/business-opinion/643239/sharing-these-messages-on-whatsapp-can-land-you-in-serious-legal-trouble-in-south-africa/?utm_source=everlytic&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=businesstech 

Motorists in South Africa should prepare themselves for another petrol price hike in December, says Investec chief economist, Annabel Bishop, commenting on oil global oil price trends at the start of November.

Bishop said that oil prices dropping since June on average resulted in some price cuts for fuel in South Africa, but recent increases are now pushing petrol and diesel prices the other way.

“Further price hikes (are) building for December, too, with the rand stable and not a contributor,” she said.

For the oil price in rand terms, she said, there has been a similar trajectory, with the rand’s exchange rate reflective of sentiment in global financial markets and the movements in the US dollar – stabilising over October, then weakening in November.

There is some support in the market, notably with building expectations that the United States will not see a severe recession and that its interest rate hikes have been fairly easily absorbed in a strong labour market, Bishop said.

The rand has consequently strengthened against the US dollar, reaching R17.66/USD on Wednesday, from R18.41/USD after the US Fed meeting last week. The currency weakened again on Thursday to R17.80 to the dollar but is not currently testing the R18.00/USD mark.

Analysts have warned that the move below R18.00 has been swift, pointing to heightened volatility in the market – which means that a move back above R18 to the dollar, where the rand has been sitting for a while, could also be just as swift.

However, even with a stronger rand, Bishop said that this is still not enough to counter higher oil prices, with December currently factoring in a R1.30/litre petrol price hike.

This assessment is reflected in the latest data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) for 9 November 2022, which shows an under-recovery in petrol prices of around R1.30 per litre, and between 10 to 18 cents per litre for diesel.

The CEF’s breakdown shows that the rand’s recent strength against the dollar is contributing around 3 cents per litre to an over-recovery – but this is nowhere near enough to cover the under-recovery from higher petroleum product costs.

According to Bishop, the Brent crude oil price is lower compared to the average for the year to date of US$101 per barrel, but in rand terms, it is at R1,690/bbl currently, higher than the average for the year so far of R1,639/bbl, with OPEC+ now supporting the oil price above US$90/bbl.

“OPEC+, which includes Russia, has been supporting the oil price by cutting quotas on supply and has lifted the level from US$75/bbl a few years ago – and with reductions in carbon emissions over the longer-term, as OPEC+ continues to seek to maximize returns,” she said.

“Typically, when economic cycles slow down, commodity prices do too, as demand weakens, allowing for lower inflation and then interest rate cuts on a significant cycle. But high, and rising oil prices have not allowed for rapid subsidence in inflation.”

The economist noted that falling fuel prices pulled SA inflation down since July, but this effect wore out in November and now likely will continue in December, which will slow the descent in inflation this year and into next, as high energy prices support a slower pace of disinflation.

Tracker’s latest vehicle crime index covering the period January-June 2022 reveal that incident volumes have increased to pre-Covid lockdown levels across the country.

Vehicle theft is up 7% nationally by volume with hijackings up 4% over the previous review period.

A victims of crime survey published by Stats SA shows that the number of incidents between the periods 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 has doubled from 64,000 to 137,000 incidents. “This makes car insurance for both new and used vehicles a necessity,” says Rudolf Britz, chief actuary at Momentum Insure.

The increase in car theft can partly be attributed to increased vehicle usage due to the return to the office and more social occasions as well as keyless access theft as a new modus operandi.

Momentum Insure’s Safe Dayz data demonstrates that customers’ average monthly journeys have stabilised since the easing of lockdown restrictions, indicating a new balance between being in the office and at home, and with it the intent to purchase vehicles has increased to pre-pandemic levels.

Tracker CEO Duma Ngcobo said: “While technology can provide convenience by allowing you to access your car without having to search for your keys, keyless access theft also highlights how criminals are turning to tech to make car theft easier.”

The keyless access tactic involves a pair or team of criminals, one of whom could follow a newer model vehicle owner as they walk away from a locked vehicle. Using a relay amplifier, a criminal can amplify the constantly transmitted signal received from the vehicle’s key fob to a criminal counterpart’s relay transmitter. The criminal counterpart can then gain access to the vehicle via the transmitter and drive away with it.

How to mitigate vehicle theft:

1. Invest in a secure Faraday pouch also known as a fob guard to store your key fob. It is lined with layers of metallic material, preventing criminals from intercepting the signal. 

2. If the front of your home and your vehicle are easily accessible, try to store your key fob as far away from your car’s location as possible to minimise the possibility of amplifying the key fob signal.

3. If your car is not parked securely behind a locked gate or in a garage when at home, try to park a car requiring a key behind your keyless car to ensure it cannot be driven away without increased effort.

4. Consider deactivating the keyless entry function.

5. Ensure that your doors are locked before walking away from your parked car as remote jamming as a modus operandi is still popular in criminal circles.

6. When parking, choose a well-lit area and, if possible, an area with cameras monitoring the parking area and pedestrian activity around your vehicle.

7. Use a steering wheel lock. They may be considered old-school, but they can be effective as a visual deterrent.

8. Install an extra immobiliser. There is merit for an additional system and as a bonus your car insurance premium could  be reduced.

9. Install CCTV to watch over your car when parked in your driveway and add a motion detector light. 

10. Consider installing or upgrading your vehicle tracking system to an option offering both theft retrieval and early notification of unauthorised movement.

Tracker encourages all South Africans to adopt proactive behaviours that could help mitigate vehicle theft.

Photo source – Pixabay
Article featured in BusinessDay
Link to original article -
https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/life/motoring/2022-11-03-car-theft-on-the-rise-as-life-returns-to-pre-pandemic-normality/

Hijackings in South Africa are at an all-time high, with the most recent quarterly crime stats and the latest available annual stats marking the highest count for the crime on record.

The latest crime statistics published by the South African Police Service (SAPS) show that 5,866 hijackings were reported across the country between April and June 2022 – a 14% increase from the 5,146 hijackings reported over the same period in 2021.

This year-on-year increase in hijacking reports means that a car is estimated to be stolen every 22 minutes in South Africa.

This marks the worst first quarter for carjackings over the last few years and sets the country up for another record year of hijackings.

Adding up the reported carjackings from every quarter in the 2021/22 financial year shows that 20,976 cars were stolen between April 2021 and March 2022 – the highest over the last decade, equivalent to 57 cars being stolen every day, or one car every 25 minutes over the whole year.

Losing trust

Dr Steven Gordon from the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) – a think tank that surveys South Africa’s perceptions – said that hijackings and other crimes in the country are at their worst levels.

Gordon said that on top of high crime statistics, one of the main issues that give South Africans even more anxiety when going about their day is the fact that if they were to be hijacked, justice would not be served.

Out of 3,200 interviews conducted countrywide compiled in the South African Social Attitudes Survey only 27% of respondents said that they actually trust the South African Police Services.
40% said it was pointless to hand over criminal suspects because it is perceived that it won’t be taken to justice, said Gordon.

On a state level, the perception of how the government is handling crime is low, with only 24% saying that they are happy with how it is being handled.

This lack of trust in the police is echoed by Stats SA’s Victims of Crime Survey, which shows that a large number of crimes in the country go unreported – including carjackings. The latest survey shows that approximately 134,000 individuals experienced hijacking in 2021/2022, up from 64,000 the year prior.

However, only 62.9% of these crimes were reported to the SAPS.

Worst areas

Unsurprisingly, Gauteng has the highest number of carjackings compared to the rest of the provinces, followed by Kwa-Zulu Natal and the Western Cape. Mpumalanga is the only province where hijackings actually decreased in the latest stats.

Taking into account the top 10 police stations that reported the most carjacking within the same period, six are in Gauteng; however, the province doesn’t sit at the top of the list.

The Western Cape held the first three positions, with Nyanga, Philippi East, and Harare police stations recording the most reported hijackings in the country.

On the other hand, Rabie Ridge police station in Gauteng posted the highest year-on-year increase in reported hijackings between April and June 2022, showing an increase of 104.8%.

Targeted vehicles

Fidelity’s latest data shows hijackers most often targeted Toyota and Volkswagen vehicles, with targeted models including:

• Toyota Hilux
• Volkswagen Polo
• Toyota Quantum
• Nissan NP200

The data shows white vehicles were disproportionately targeted (48.9%). This was also the case for silver-grey vehicles (18.9%).

Fidelity also noted that white or silver-grey vehicles are the most hijacked in the country.

White is by some margin (nearly half of all vehicles) the most popular vehicle colour in South Africa, followed by silver and grey.

However, Fidelity stressed that, while criminals will likely prefer a neutral colour, it’s the make and model they are more interested in.

Safety tips

Fidelity has partnered with the National Hijack Prevention Academy to offer drivers the following safety hints and tips:

If you suspect you are being followed, put your indicator on and slow down at least two to three houses before your home. If you are being followed, you will force the vehicle behind you to pass, and this could cause the criminals to lose interest.

• If you need to stop in your driveway to manually open the gate, always leave the key in the ignition and the motor running unless you have a child in the car. Only then should you take the key with you as you open the gate. The key is a valuable negotiating tool – they want your car, and you want your child.

• Always make sure you can see the car’s back wheels in front of you when you stop in traffic. This gives you enough room to manoeuvre and escape.

• If you stay in a secure complex with security guards, do not be fooled into thinking you are safe. You can easily be followed into your complex, so always remain vigilant. Research shows that most people relax the closer they get to home, often when they are most vulnerable.

Other tips provided by the group include:

• Do not stop at a deserted spot or area to talk on your phone or even relieve yourself;
• Always keep your windows closed;
• If someone tries to force you out of the road, don’t panic but just blow your horn constantly to draw attention;
• Do not stop for hitchhikers, even if it is a female hiker with a crying baby.

Photos by Pixabay
Article source – Business Tech

A thorough understanding of what is covered under your home and car insurance policy, combined with regular and proper maintenance of your assets in accordance with your contract, are critical in ensuring a satisfactory claims experience.

While the broad concept of insurance is generally understood as the process of purchasing cover for your valuable possessions to indemnify you in the event of a loss or damage, it requires thorough understanding of the agreed contract, says Attie Blaauw, Head of Personal Lines Underwriting at Santam.

“As an insured consumer it’s important to have a thorough understanding of what is covered under your home and vehicle insurance policy and what is not. Many people also do not realise that as a policyholder they agree to specific terms and conditions, and they have a responsibility to uphold their end of the contract. Furthermore, purchasing cover without properly maintaining your assets presents certain limitations.”

Blaauw says wear and tear of certain items and how this is accommodated, if at all, in one’s policy is another important factor to be aware of.

Principle of Insurance

First off, when defining insurable risk, Blaauw explains that insurance is simply a risk transfer mechanism that offsets loss of, or damage to, insured property. This loss may arise due to exposure to a known and agreed risk, such as fire or theft.

“The aim is to indemnify or compensate the insured party by placing them back in the same financial position they were in before suffering a loss or damage,” says Blaauw.

He continues that the principle is based on the consumer paying a premium to an insurer to cover specific types of losses or damages to their property. These losses must be caused by a sudden and unforeseen event. The paid premiums allow an insurer to compensate the client for the cost of repairing or replacing the lost or damaged items as set out in the policy contract.

Wear and tear

Blaauw says personal insurance policies are designed to respond to most risks of both natural and unnatural causes such as fire or explosion, lightning, burglary, hijacking, earthquake, flooding, storm, wind, hail or snow. The focus, however, remains on sudden and unforeseen events.

Risks arising from a lack of maintenance and normal wear and tear are largely viewed as undesirable risks and are costs that should be budgeted for by consumers. He explains that there are typical exclusions in policy wordings that consumers should be aware of, such as gradual deterioration caused by poor maintenance, wear and tear, mould, discoloration, rising damp, rot, insect infestation, vermin, weeds, roots, etc.

“It is every homeowner’s responsibility to ensure regular maintenance is budgeted for and carried out on their property, as this helps to maintain the integrity of the construction and prevents weak points which can be exposed by severe weather events such as storms or flooding. This requires that the roof, structure and all its fixtures including swimming pool, lapa, boundary walls and paving must be kept in good condition in accordance with the policyholder’s responsibility towards duty of care as outlined in the insurance contract,” says Blaauw.

According to the Ombudsman for Short Term Insurance (OSTI) the primary cause of homeowners claim disputes in 2020, with 47%, and a slight increase in 2021 to 53%, was for the rejection of claims based on policy exclusions for damage caused by defective design, construction or workmanship, wear and tear, and lack of building maintenance. Santam’s own statistics indicate that approximately 70% of internal property claim disputes are attributed to damages caused by wear and tear under the household contents and homeowner’s section of their policies.

The following examples are incidents that are normally excluded as wear and tear:

1.     C claimed damage to her freezer. The damage report received from the service provider indicated that the damage to the freezer was due to old age (wear and tear) of the item, which resulted in the damage of the item and no insured cause contributed to the damage.

2.    T claimed water damage to the house caused by flooding. Upon investigation it was revealed that the paint was bubbling and peeling off, and there was old mould on the walls and even mushrooms growing from the carpet, all indicating that the damage was not caused by one single event but occurred gradually over time.

3.    K registered a claim for cracks in his swimming pool and alleged that it was storm damage. An appointed engineer found that the cracks in the pool developed over time because of the normal expansion and contraction of the soil due to increase in moisture. content and that no storm or other insured cause contributed to the cracks in the swimming pool.

It is very important for policyholders to have a clear understanding of the difference between accidental loss or damage to property arising from an insured event, and losses caused by gradual wear and tear which are typically not covered by insurance and require regular maintenance by the policyholder.

“Some insurers, like Santam, may offer maintenance of geyser cover for a specified sum insured at an additional premium and this may typically include decay, latent defects, rust, gradual deterioration, and wear and tear,” concludes Blaauw.

Photos by Pexels
Article featured in IOL.co.za
Link to original article:

https://www.iol.co.za/news/sponsored/why-maintaining-your-assets-properly-is-critical-for-a-good-insurance-claim-experience-3d259f4b-b445-4011-bd53-4a1ab4062cb6

Insurance is a complex issue. Property owners should carefully consider the following issues:

• Public liability. Guests suffering injury on the property can result in hefty claims.

• Theft of guest property. Guests’ property may be stolen from the property, with high-value items most likely to be targeted.

• Theft or damage relating to the property. It is an unfortunate fact of life that guests may steal or damage your property. Other causes of damage could be fire or flooding.

• Compliance. There is always the risk of falling foul of zoning or health regulations.

All of these risks, and there are likely others, need to be assessed. If you are thinking of letting out your primary residence during the holiday season, make sure you discuss the implications with your insurer.

Here are our top tips for property owners looking to make the most of the Christmas holiday season and beyond:

• Sit down with your insurance broker and work out if there are any smart ways to reduce your premium without taking on unacceptable levels of risk.

• Make a list of other cost-cutting possibilities and then assess them in terms of their impact on your brand over the long term. For example, a bunch of flowers from the garden could replace expensive welcome gifts while still enhancing the guest experience.

• Move your marketing online to get more bang for your buck. If you are not good with technology, enlist a friendly teenager.

• Take a look at your cancellation conditions as well as those of any booking platform with which you are associated and work out how best to protect yourself in the event of changed lockdown levels.

• Ensure you have solid COVID-19 protocols in place and that your staff are trained to follow them – and let your guests know what you are doing. This could be the single biggest factor in ensuring they feel comfortable and give your property the great review that will lead to more bookings.

• Consider additional things you can do to make guests’ stays more pleasant, but without breaking the bank. Make more information available in the room, perhaps, or try and negotiate special deals with local restaurants for your guests.

With any luck, tourism will bounce back in due course, but the decisions you make now will determine how well positioned you are to benefit from any uptick. Give yourself the best chance of success.

Photo’s from Pixabay
Article source: Cover magazine
By: Jason Mellow, MiWay Head of Business Insurance
Link to original article:
https://www.cover.co.za/news/holiday-rentals-dont-take-on-unnecessary-risk-for-short-term-gains