Car and home insurance: 10 things to do before you go away for the Easter holidays

The Easter holidays and a string of long weekends are upon us. If you’re planning a holiday or a weekend break, there are a few things you can do to get the most from your home and car insurance cover. Here are some tips from Ernest North, co-founder of fully digital Naked Insurance.

Home

1. Check whether the value for which you have insured your home building and contents is up to date for what they are worth today.
2. Ensure that all external locks and safety doors in your home are in good condition and securely locked before you leave.
3. Remember to activate your alarm and check that you have a valid subscription with an armed response company.
4. If you’re travelling with your golf clubs, notebook, jewellery or camera, make sure they’re all insured for their full value, while away from home, by specifying them on your home contents policy.
5. Switch off and even unplug appliances and devices you aren’t using to protect them when there is loadshedding or other power cuts/surges.

Car

6. Make sure that your car is roadworthy. Check that your tyre tread isn’t worn out, that indicators and brake lights are working, and brake pads are sound.
7. If you’re planning to visit neighbouring countries or to go even further north, find out whether your policy covers your car outside South Africa’s borders and get a letter from your insurer that you can present at the border.
8. If you have added expensive accessories and extras to your car – such as a roof-rack, bulbar, xenon lights, or extra sound equipment – update your policy to ensure they are covered.
9. Keep your insurer’s roadside emergency number on hand so that you can call for help if you have an accident or engine trouble. You can even go as far as saving the number under your “Favourites” on your phone, so that you don’t need to scramble to look it up.
10. Leaving your car at home? With the Naked app, you can pause your accident cover on the days that you’re not driving your car. You can save up to 50% of your premium on the days you use CoverPause.