Nick
du Plessis
- Windhoek -

Christopher
 du Plessis
- Windhoek -

Jaco
du Plessis
- Tsumeb -

Adri du Plessis
- Tsumeb -

1. You get what you pay for: Not all policies are the same; premiums differ and so do cover. By reducing cover / placing restrictions on how a policy works, it is possible to lessen the cost of a claim. Increasing excesses can also keep down premiums. Don’t assume cheap insurance is a good bargain; cover that you thought was “standard” might be removed, thus making your claim very expensive.
2. Check what you are covered for: Prowealth advises that you read the policy carefully and scrutinize “ exclusions” and “restrictions.”  If you don’t understand what is being stated ask your broker for an explanation.
3. Cover what is crucial: cover what is important to you, for example: your car. Some possessions, like jewelery, may be so valuable they will not be fully covered. To ensure proper compensation, separately specify such items in your policy.
4. Keep your policy up to date: cover should reflect needs and lifestyle. Risk profiles change. For example, a 22-year-old driver has a different risk profile to that of a 55 year old. It is the same if you move from a high crime area to a secure complex. Your insurance costs will differ. It can help you save on premiums.
5. Put the professional to work: Prowealth recommends that you buy short term insurance from a qualified broker who can advise you objectively and take responsibility for admin matters and claims.
6. Honesty is the best policy: In recent years insurers have been plagued by fraudulent claims. Insurers have combated this by setting up in-house investigation units and tightening up internal processes. By submitting honest claims you keep premiums affordable.
7. Be your own risk manager: Carelessness costs you. Claims history is reflected on premiums, so manage your risk to contain insurance cost: e.g. Keeping your doors locked or fitting security gates in your home.
8. Beware of over insurance:  It pays to regularly review your cover particularly on your motor vehicle/s. Each year your vehicle depreciates in value so it pays to update your car insurance annually to make sure your insurance premium is a fair reflection of the value of the vehicle.
9. Beware of under insurance: this can result in you carrying some of the loss. Under insurance occurs when values go up, insurers are not advised, and premiums don’t keep pace: e.g. You extend your home but don’t change the cover. Make sure the sum insured reflects current reality.
10. Size is important and so is location: It pays to deal with an established insurer who has a reputation for quick and fair claims settlement.

1. Fit an armed response alarm - A house with an alarm is much less likely to be burgled than a house without one. Speak to your insurer to see if they recommend particular companies for installing alarms.
2. Try to keep a minimal amount of cash in your home - Cash, jewellery, valuable documents and credit cards should be kept in a concealed safe, cash box or similar.
3. Fit a good lock - Use good quality locks and, more importantly, use deadlocks on all main doors. Deadlocks make it considerably more difficult for thieves to break through a door.
4. Don’t leave keys in doors or lying around - Get into the habit of leaving them in the same place so that you can find them in an emergency. Never leave your keys on a hook that can be easily viewed from outside the house. If thieves do break in and find your keys, it’s much easier for them to exit through a door, making it easier for them to take more of your property.
5. Leave the lights on - When you go out at night, leave the lights on and curtains drawn in rooms where the thief might expect you to be, such as living rooms and bedrooms. For additional effect, you could leave the television or radio on as well. This helps create the illusion that you’re at home. If you’re going on holiday, you can purchase timer switches so that the lights come on during the times you would usually at home.
6. Ensure that televisions, videos and stereo systems can’t be seen from accessible windows and that standby display units on these items are concealed at night.
7. Secure your garden - The theft of garden ornaments, power tools, expensive plants and other garden items is on the increase. Make sure the perimeter fence is high enough to prevent thieves from climbing over. Adding a trellis with a climbing plant such as clematis will make it virtually impossible to climb over a fence of any height. Also, keep power tools, mowers and other valuable items firmly secured in a garage. Wire the garage to your alarm system and make sure you add an alarm box to the garage so a burglar knows the alarm is also fitted to the garage.
8. Mark your property - Marking your belongings with your postcode and house number helps police return your property if you are robbed. It may also help to solve the crime. To mark your belongings effectively, use ultraviolet markers for televisions and other electrical items, as well as for important documents and ceramics. A hammer and die stamp is the best way to mark outdoor items such as bikes and mowers.
9. Correctly value your possessions - As well ensuring your house is properly secure, it is important to correctly asses the value of possessions. Homeowners constantly collect possessions but fail to increase the value of their home contents insurance policy.