Protect your property during protests

Following a cabinet reshuffle by the President and the country’s subsequent sovereign credit rating downgrade to junk status by ratings agency, Standard & Poor, on 3 April 2017, various organisations are taking to the streets to protest1.

 

Protest action has become an integral part of effecting change in South Africa, but we also know that protests could become violent and result in theft and damage to property.

 

“The South African Special Risk Insurance Association (SASRIA) is the only South African insurer that covers you for loss or damage to insured property as a direct result of civil unrest, including rioting, strike action and public disorder,” says Derek Wilson, Head of leading financial and insurance online comparison website, Hippo.co.za.

 

SASRIA honoured 140 claims totaling R92 million in damages during the #FeesMustFall protests and have reported an average increase of 56% in both the frequency and severity of claims submitted as a result of protest action in the last four years2.

 

So how can you protect your property in times of protest?

 

“Research where protest action will be taking place, and should this be in your area of residence, work or close to where you will be parking your car, consider taking alternative security measures such as informing your neighbourhood security watch and using alternative transport,” says Wilson, “Business owners should also consider taking note of any protest action in their areas and avoid scheduling any meetings during this time. Consider putting an emergency plan in place and inform your employees ahead of time3.”

 

“Ensure that you have the necessary insurance cover in case of any damages to your business or personal property,” concludes Wilson. “Hippo.co.za provides a free-to-use service to compare financial products such as Car Insurance, Household Insurance, Life Insurance, Funeral Cover, Motor Warranties and more. Millions of South Africans use the Hippo website each year to compare whether they are getting the best deal.”

 

Sources:

 

  1. https://www.enca.com/south-africa/protest-action-planned-for-friday
  2. http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/2016/03/09/Two-months-of-student-protests-resulted-in-R92m-in-damage-claims-Sasria
  3. https://www.vectorsecurity.com/protestsafety

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