Small and medium sized businesses will continue to be seen as soft targets by criminals if they don’t prioritise security and implement measures to protect their premises, equipment and employees.

According to a study done by a UK-based insurance company and research conducted by a Dr Rudolph Zinn of the School of Criminal Justice at UNISA, house robbers spend a considerable amount of time watching and gathering intelligence on potential targets.

South Africa has one of the highest per capita alcohol consumption rates in the world, with over 30% of the population struggling with an alcohol problem or on the verge of having one.

With South Africa braced for heavy rain and unpredictable weather from February to April 2012, Auto & General Insurance says motorists are going to have to seriously adapt their driving and attitudes if they are going to survive the mayhem that will undoubtedly unravel on the roads.

Auto & General Insurance is calling for savvy car buying as an increasing number of South Africans set their sights on new sets of wheels.

While the holiday season is considered a time of giving for most people, it is a time of taking for criminals. With families away on holiday and the promise of new Christmas presents there for the taking, it is their boom time.

With the country’s unemployment rate hovering at a disconcerting 25.7% in the second quarter of 2011 and 62% of South Africans of the consensus that they struggle to make ends meet, it’s clear that millions of South Africans...

The word "carnage" is often used to describe what unfolds on South African roads over the festive season when the elation of celebrating Christmas and ushering in the New Year is always marred by dramatic increases in accidents on the roads in every province.

Those living in residential estates and gated communities need to be as vigilant about security as those living in standalone houses – Perhaps even more so.

According to Thomas Creamer, Telesure MD, “Some tow truck drivers are tricking shocked accident victims into believing that they are authorised to tow their vehicles away from an accident scene when they actually aren’t contracted to the victim’s short-term insurance provider.

Every year, the insurance industry spends millions of rands on water damage caused by malfunctioning hot water geysers. In winter, when geysers suffer more wear and tear, claims for geyser-related damage increase. Thomas Creamer is urging homeowners to give their geysers a little TLC this winter so that they can endure the bitter temperatures.

On the back of the latest staggering fuel price hike of up to 71 cents per litre, and with little hope of decreases in the foreseeable future, Budget Insurance Brokers says motorists must think out of the box.

While getting a car is not a birthright, many parents will give their teenager a car. For the average South African family, it has enormous financial implications. Parents have to be realistic about what they can afford to give their teen, and be specific about where their responsibility for funding the vehicle’s on-the-road costs ends.

As a staggering number of South Africans thrash in suffocating debt, Thomas Creamer is highlighting the pressing need for parents to start teaching their kids early about money and how to manage it.

The short-term insurance industry is highly competitive with providers vying for consumers’ attention with great rates, benefits and value-adds. Despite this, a lot of South Africans are missing opportunities to save on insurance.

The vast majority of South Africans have at least one party on their to-do list this festive season. But, in the frenzy of celebrating, people tend to be high on cheer and low on concern over safety.

The past year has been tough on consumers’ pockets, and with the consumer price index racing towards the 6% range, it’s going to get tougher for people as they are forced to make do with getting less for their rands.

The Dial Direct Pothole Brigade will officially bid Gauteng farewell on Saturday, 30 June 2012 after repairing a total of 64 700 potholes. Dial Direct announced the disbandment of The Pothole Brigade on 3 May 2012 due to red-tape and bureaucracy within the Johannesburg Roads Agency.

With temperatures quickly plummeting with the onset of winter, Dial Direct Insurance is urging homeowners to be careful when using heating appliances. “What a lot of people don’t realise is that the average family home is also at risk of catching fire, particularly in winter when the people use heaters, fire places and electric blankets to keep warm,” says Thomas Creamer, Telesure MD.

You have probably wondered how it is that your vehicle, which depreciates in value over time, continues to be insured at the same, or even a higher, premium. This is a common gripe for short-term insurance policyholders but one that can be easily explained.

According to research, many homeowners do not know the difference between residential buildings insurance and home contents insurance.

The Dial Direct Pothole Brigade is branching out. From 2 March 2012, Ekurhuleni residents in suburbs including Actonville, Tamboville, Dayaglen, Germiston, Boksburg, Brakpan and Benoni* can expect to see The Dial Direct Pothole Brigade and the impressive Jetpatcher vehicles levelling menacing potholes as part of phase two of the initiative with the Ekurhuleni Municipality.

Numerous internet surveys show that electronic gadgets and devices like tablet PCs, MP3 players, and ebook readers are at the top of a lot of people’s Christmas wish lists this festive season. In fact, despite the world still clawing its way out of the recession, research by a US-based market research company, ChangeWave, indicates that the demand for tablet PCs is three times higher this year than last year.

With over 39 000 potholes filled since the launch of The Dial Direct Pothole Brigade in January, it’s fair to say a “dent” has been made to chisel away a problem that plagues Gauteng’s roads – and road users.

The Dial Direct Pothole Brigade and Lead SA are pleased to announce their partnership with the Ekurhuleni Municipality.

Whether it’s an ankle boot, biker boot, knee-high riding boot, combat-style lace up or the must-have wedge - putting your best foot forward this winter could impair your driving capability.Based on studies done overseas, 1st for Women Insurance Brokers advises ladies that wearing restrictive, obstructive or improper footwear could cause them to have an accident.

We all know the drill: time is precious and there just never seems to be enough of it. Between work, kids and making time for family, friends and yourself, life can be pretty chaotic.

It’s Valentine’s Day. The TV is bursting with adverts and everywhere you go, you’re being encouraged to buy chocolates, perfume and say it with love. But, if you don’t have a partner, Valentine’s Day can be more than just an irritation, it can bring on feelings of loneliness.

For working women, so much of our lives are about juggling being a wife, primary care-giver and worker. This often means that we have very little time for ourselves and our families. If you’re a career-woman it’s very easy to get caught up in the rat race and find yourself working late at night and on weekends. But, it’s essential to find balance in your work and home life.

It’s that time of year when we’re all feeling a little tired and are looking forward to the festive season so that we can hopefully take a few days, or more off.

Dubbed as a sanctuary from wandering machohands, the female-only taxi trend is certainly catching-on.

Did you know that three billion minutes are spent on Facebook every single day? That means a total of 15 years in the space of 24 hours. Most surprising is that research shows that the fastest growing group on Facebook, contrary to popular belief, is not teenagers, but women 55 years and older. In fact, the number of users over the age of 35 has doubled in the last 60 days, representing more than half of all Facebook users.

Wouldn’t be caught dead wearing pink and teal together? Well, 1st for Women Insurance Brokers says they’re the colours of savvy women. Those who mix them make a dramatic – and healthy – statement.

How often have you been driving on the road and seen children in cars without seatbelts on? It’s no wonder that South African statistics show that more children die in car accidents than any other kind of accident in this country.

The festive season is upon us and as usual, you’ll most probably be inundated with exciting party invitations. But, according to 1st for Women Insurance Brokers, the event where you will have to put your very best foot forward is definitely your office party.

As a working woman have you ever been labelled aggressive when you were trying to be assertive? Perhaps you were not able to stand up for yourself while someone else took credit for your work? Or have you been accused of being overly-ambitious when you're just trying to get ahead?

It’s estimated that in the UK, almost 84-million people visit online price comparison or aggregator sites each year and that 66% of consumers will purchase or renew their insurance online via either an insurer’s website or an aggregator. This figure is set to grow in the coming years making financial aggregators a force to be reckoned with.

Do-it-yourself – to avoid agent commissions – is considered the most cost effective route to take by South Africans when planning a local holiday.

Cellphone penetration in South Africa is estimated at 98%, with 25.1 million South Africans over the age of 15 personally owning, renting or enjoying access to a cellphone.

Kelebogile Kaise, from Manamakgota Village near Rustenburg, always dreamt of starting a supply and distribution company. She had the drive and determination - the only obstacle standing in this 25 year old entrepreneur’s way was access to funding. “I then heard about a competition run by Virgin Money Insurance offering five people the opportunity to win a share of R300,000 to overcome a Goliath Challenge.

For 33 year old Weltevreden Park resident, Stan Andrews, Mount Kilimanjaro is not just a mountain of enormous proportions, it’s a symbol of not giving up. Andrews’ was born with a deformed foot which was amputated when he was seven years old. Despite his disability, which he sees as an ability to accomplish more, he has always dreamt of summiting Africa’s highest peak.

Poverty forced Carmi Engelbrecht, a 25 year old resident of Lyttleton Manor, Centurion, to drop out of school in Grade Nine. For 10 years she never lost hope that one day she would be able to return to school and finish what she started. For Engelbrecht, that day arrived sooner than expected thanks to Virgin Money Insurance.

South African mountaineer, Sibusiso Vilane has become the first Black person in the world to complete The Three Poles Challenge – an adventurer’s quest to reach the North Pole, South Pole and Mount Everest.

South African mountaineer and inspirational speaker Sibusiso Vilane is about to tackle a gruelling expedition to the North Pole, a proudly South African feat that once completed will make him the first Black person in the world to complete the Three Poles Challenge – an adventurer’s challenge to reach the North Pole, South Pole and Mount Everest.

South African mountaineer and inspirational speaker Sibusiso Vilane is about to tackle a gruelling expedition to the North Pole, a proudly South African feat that once completed will make him the first Black person in the world to complete the Three Poles Challenge – an adventurer’s challenge to reach the North Pole, South Pole and Mount Everest.

The South African Police Service has begun gearing up to ensure a safer festive season with the launch of its focused Operation Duty Calls Festive Season Crime-Fighting Campaign.