TOWING TIPS

Telesure has agreements in place with approved towing operators to ensure that all clients receive the best service at no additional cost to them.

If you are a client of ours and are involved in an accident and need a tow truck, please follow these procedures to ensure that an authorised towing operator attends to you:

1. Call your insurer's dedicated towline
2. Request a reference number for towing services
3. When the towing operator arrives, ask him for a reference number and match it to the reference number given to you by your insurer
4. If they match, allow your car to be towed, BUT find out where it will be towed to.

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SMS SCAMS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM

According to a recent report, SMS scams, or phishing, as it is more commonly referred to, are on the increase. In an attempt to protect and inform our valued policyholders, we have prepared the following tips on how to spot and then stop malicious SMS scams.

Do not respond to an SMS or e-mail which:

• Asks you to provide personal information such as your bank account password, bank account number, credit card number, or PIN number.
• Does not address you personally i.e.: by name.
• Advises that you have been a victim of fraud and that your bank account will be closed, unless you reconfirm your personal information.
• Plays on your emotions and then asks for monetary assistance and your banking details.

If you suspect that the SMS is a scam:

• Do not send your banking details/passwords or any personal information.
• Avoid replying to an SMS which asks you to confirm your banking details. Rather contact the company telephonically and request that they validate the SMS.

You can stop SMS scams by:

• Checking your bank, credit and debit card statements regularly to ensure that all transactions are legitimate.
• Contacting your bank immediately if you notice anything 'phishy'.
• If you are suspicious about an SMS that you have received, you should contact the company and report your concerns.
• You can also report an SMS scam to Wireless Application Service Provider Association (WASPA), the industry body that handles all complaints relating to commercial messaging in South Africa.
• Not replying to fraudulent SMSs. Where there is a demand, there is a supply don't encourage these con-artists!

Telesure has a vested interest in our policyholders' safety and has devoted much time and effort in ensuring that our communication procedures comply with stringent safety measures. We believe that an informed customer is a happy customer and urge consumers to be aware and sensible in identifying SMS scams.

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INSURANCE TIPS

There is no denying that insurance is seen as a grudge purchase. But, in this day and age, insurance is vital and an absolute necessity and could soon be a legal requirement. But contrary to what you might think, insurance does not have to be unaffordable and you can get value out of it. With a bit of forethought and planning, it is possible to find a solution that fits your budget and meets your needs.

• Shop around – find an insurer that can offer you the best level of cover at the most competitive price. Different insurance companies also target different types of customers so you might find the best prices are available from a specialist car insurance company that understands your personal requirements. Remember that opting to sign with the provider with the lowest rates is not always wise. Look at other factors such as level of cover, client service and value-added benefits.
• Combine your motor and household insurance – combination policies usually cost less.
• Insure all your cars with the same insurance provider – this may entitle you to a multi-car discount and is also more convenient.
• Increase your insurance excess amount – by increasing your excess, you can reduce your monthly premiums. However, be careful not to increase it to a level that you will not be able to afford to pay in the event of an accident, loss or theft.
• Make your home and car safer – by investing some money in making your home and car safer, for instance by installing an alarm system or electric fencing at your property or a tracking device and immobiliser in your car, you can reduce your monthly premiums. Insurance companies base your premium on your risk profile so if your risk profile is low, so will your premium be.
• Buy a low-risk car – more expensive cars cost more to insure, therefore if you drive a fancy car, your insurance premium will be higher.
• Don't modify your vehicle – some vehicle modifications can cause your premiums to increase so check with your insurer first.
• Keep your claims record clean – when you make a claim, your premium will in all likelihood go up. So, don't claim for small incidents that you could possibly pay for out of your own pocket, such as a small dent or scratch on your car or a broken window in your house.
• Consider all aspects - Aside from price, you need to consider the levels of cover, the conditions of cover and the excess you will be responsible for. Also, think about aspects like customer service, communication and support because in the event of you having to make a claim, you will want your insurance provider to be as helpful and supportive as possible.
• Find an insurer that speaks your language – Different insurance companies target different types of customers so you might find the best prices are available from a specialist car insurance company that understands your personal requirements. You should also feel comfortable during each interaction with the insurance company.
• Read your policy and read it again - To avoid misunderstandings it is a good idea to read and re-read your policy book.
  
  Look at the vehicle section on your policy and ask:
  • Does this Motor Policy include Hail Damage?
  • Is the driving of your vehicle restricted to a named driver?
  • For vehicle theft to be covered must it be accompanied by visible and forcible means?
  • Is cover for theft or hijacking subject to the installation of an immobiliser or tracking device?
  • Are business use extensions included in car and household insurance?
  • Are personal and motor Third Party liability limits adequate in view of recent awards by the courts?
  • What territorial limits are applicable?
  • Are penalties imposed for young drivers?
  • What excesses apply in the event of loss or damage?
  • Is there cover for loss/damage from mining operations or from landslip or subsidence?
  • Is there provision for car hire?
  • What other value-added benefits are there?
  
  Look at the household contents section of your policy and ask:
  • What exactly am I covered for and what are the exclusions? For instance, am I covered for loss or damage caused by fire, lightning, explosion, malicious damage, falling trees, storms, floods, the bursting or over-flowing of geysers, equipment or pipes, break-in or theft?
  • Will my insurance cover food that deteriorates because of power failure or if my freezer breaks down?
  • Am I covered for money stolen from my home?
  • What about loss or damage to locks or keys?
  • Will I be covered against the fraudulent use of my credit or bank cards?
  • What are the other value-added benefits such as medical response etc?
  • What are the terms and conditions in terms of security measures that must be present in my home and can I fulfill these requirements?
  
  
• Make sure you have calculated the sum insured correctly – To determine the correct sum insured for your household contents you should remember that your possessions are insured on an old-for new-basis so use current replacement values as your guide, allowing for inflation. Don't under-insure your goods to save a few rands on your premium. The danger of underinsurance, which occurs when there is a discrepancy between the premium paid and the replacement value of what's being insured, is that your cover will be inadequate and your insurer will not meet your claim in full.