Legal Articles

Since the dawn of the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown restrictions to contain the spread, most businesses have been pushed into financial dire straits as the markets plummet.

While the tech industry has significantly grown, especially the big tech companies in Silicon Valley and anywhere else in the world, it is mostly those industries which solely operate on physical interaction terms which have been at the most disadvantage.

For most other businesses newer strategies have been developed to adjust and adapt to the new normal, shedding jobs and working remotely where needs be.

Insurance Claim Process South Africa – Do’s and Don’ts

These developments have also had substantial impact on the insurance industry. Business interruption covers, medical covers, unemployment insurance cover as well as cover for assets have had to fork out billions in claims, whilst dealing at the same time with policy cancellations as most clients seek to revise their monthly expenditure to cater only for the essentials that they cannot live without.

Be that as it may, in this article we will provide a general guidance on what policy holders (individuals or businesses) need to look out for so that the process of submitting claims may not face hurdles. This approach is not specific to any type of insurance cover or product but generalised to cater for what most insurers will require when a claim is submitted for processing.

THIS YOU NEED TO DO

• Contact your broker as soon as possible after the incident to notify them
• Notify the insurer as soon as possible after the incident
• Take pictures, videos and furnish all required documents and evidence for assessment
• Report the incident to the police if applicable
• Make sure your premiums are up to date and ensure the incident is a covered event

AVOID THIS!

• Delays in notifying the insurer about the event and subsequent loss
• Delay in submitting the claim
• Failing to report the incident to the police for a case to be opened (if applicable)
• Submitting a claim without reading and understanding the policy schedule to see if such a claim is covered
• Failing to comply or cooperate with the insurer during their investigations and/or assessment to determine liability cover
• Interfering with evidence, incident scene or the damaged property before assessment by the insurer is done/complete

Van Deventer & Van Deventer Incorporated – Claims Attorneys South Africa

Our capable insurance law department has attorneys endowed with years of extensive and successful experience. We assist with guidance on claims, consultation on policy provisions as well as appeals on rejected claims.

You will absolutely have fond memories from our comprehensive and specialist services. We also assist in a wide array of other areas of law. Kindly make contact with us for comprehensive assistance in these and other matters.

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