Indwe Risk Services

MOTORISTS SPEND A FIFTH OF THEIR TIME NOT LOOKING AT THE ROAD

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 03:50:34 -0400

While driving, you can be distracted by many factors inside and outside your car. But what are the main distractions?

What are you looking at?

The alarming extent to which drivers lose concentration has been highlighted by researchers. A UK study revealed that motorists take their eyes off the road for almost a fifth of their time behind the wheel, rising to nearly a quarter if they use a satnav.

Evidence from revolutionary eye-tracking technology shows that drivers take their eyes off the road, on average, every nine seconds, having been attracted by passing clouds, adverts, scenery and a host of other distractions.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?

What motorists really look at when driving:

1. Buildings 

2. Scenery  

3. Sat nav 

4. Pedestrians 

5. Advertising posters 

6. Map  

7. Radio  

8. Passenger  

9. Parked vehicles 

10. Clouds

Here is what the eye-tracking study revealed:

Clouds looking like one of Santa’s reindeer might distract you.

What are you doing?

What are the main distractions INSIDE your car? Perhaps it’s eating that juicy burger you just bought at a drive-through during your lunch time? Maybe it’s unruly kids in the back seat? Or updating your Facebook profile while sitting in traffic?

Separate research says that three-quarters of motorists admit being distracted behind the wheel.

The main distractions include fiddling with the radio or CD changer (54 percent), drinking or eating something (47 percent for each), making a call or texting on a hand-held phone (16 percent for each), and dozing off (4%), updating Facebook (2%) and applying make-up (5%).

Talk to Indwe Risk Services today about the right insurance cover for your vehicle. Call 0860 13 13 14 or visit www.indwerisk.co.za for more information.

How to choose a baby name

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 08:32:51 -0400

Remember that your child will have this name for their whole life, and is your first gift to your child, so make it something special.

Are you a soon-to-be new parent? Choosing a name for your new baby can be daunting and the cause of many debates. Here are some pointers to help you find the perfect name.

· Consider personal history and traditions. Your family may have particular naming traditions that you want to continue. Some families like naming a son after his father, some families have naming “schemes” like using the same first letter for all their children’s names. Whichever tradition you use, make sure each child feels unique and has an individual name. Naming twins Jordan and Jordana, for example, could lead to future difficulties.

· Write lists of names you love, people you want to honour, names that have special meanings, etc. (both you and your partner should do this). Compare the lists - are there names you both love? Maybe your partner likes a name that you can’t stand. Cross off the names you don’t like and add names you do like to your list. These lists will probably change over time.

· Make sure it’s a name that you both love. Try saying your child’s name over and over to see if you’ll get tired of hearing it. As a parent, you’ll be saying it a lot.

· Be Aware of Gender Affiliations. In these modern times, names are often not exclusively male or female. Avoid naming a child a name that is more typically the opposite gender kind of name. Your son Kelly, Dana, or Ashley may not be happy to be presumed to be a girl on the first day of preschool.

Historically male names are usually more acceptable for girls (such as Madison). It may not be clear on looking at the name alone if your child is male or female, and that may cause confusion.

Some names are neutral in gender (such as Chris, Dakota, River) or sound masculine but can be spelled in a feminine manner(Toni, Bobbi, Jo). Names such as these have their own problems as well as advantages.

· Will the Name Age Well?One very important factor is if the name will age gracefully. What fits a baby or young child may not fit an older individual. Can you see a grown-up named Coco? Or it fitting a senior citizen?

· Make sure the name sounds good with your last name. You may want to avoid using a name whose last letter is the same as the first letter in your last name (i.e. Eva Anderson, Phillip Piper, Roger Rine).

· Consider if you want a traditional, popular, or unique name. Consider carefully if you want your child’s name to stand out or be conventional and classy, stand the test of time, or be flashy and make a statement.

· Consider carefully ‘ethnic names’. Unfortunately, a name that clearly marks an individual as part of a group that often meets with discrimination may make the child’s life harder, such as finding a job. But it could help foster pride in that child’s background. So pick carefully.

· Consider carefully names inspired by your beliefs. In many ways, this is a beautiful way to affirm your religious beliefs. Or your hopes for the child (Joy, Faith, Grace, etc.) But sometimes the child grows up and it does not suit them. He or she may convert, or may not embody his or her name name - for instance, Grace might turn out to be rather clumsy!

· Decide ahead of time when you want to reveal the name. Some couples wait until the baby is born, while others tell their family, friends, and anyone who asks right away when the pregnancy is announced.

· Think about how it might be shortened. Lots of people shorten their names, and you need to choose one that you like and will still sound good with your surname. The names Richard Wickes might sound OK, for example, but what if he prefers to be called Rick?

· Spelling Counts. Sometimes there are several variations on a name, and different spellings of the same name. A unique spelling may help your child stand out, but may make for headaches when it comes to correcting people and paperwork! In addition, your child may never be able to buy something with his or her name on it, such as novelties as embossed pencils.

· Consider if you really want the names of your children - particularly if they are the same sex - to have the same initials. When they are older and a letter arrives for J. Smith, how will you know if it’s for Josh, Jack, Joseph or Jordan? (Although many families do this and are happy with the results.)

· Ignore the Rules! A safe, traditional, nice-sounding name is all well and good and, perhaps, most desirable for most parents. But there’s a lot of room for the unusual, unique, and offbeat, and the choice is yours.

· Think about your hero. Role models, whether real or fictional, can be a source of inspiration. “Hermione” has suddenly become popular with the writing of the “Harry Potter” series, for instance. If you admire Mother Theresa, maybe you have a little Theresa on the way. Just be aware, though, that some heroes are controversial and don’t cross cultures well.

· If they are born with curly hair, don’t name them after famous curly haired people, like Shirley Temple. They are likely to grow out of the curls and the name.

· Try out the introduction test. Finally, once you’ve narrowed down your name choices, introduce yourself as your child using only the first and last name. Will the name be able to grow with the child? How would it sound to a future employer? Fifi may sound cute as a baby’s name, but can she be a CEO?

Here are some of the weirdest baby names registered in the US in 2012 – read them and weep!

Ø Ace

Ø Admire

Ø Americus

Ø Sanity

Ø Couture

Ø Deva

Ø Excel

Ø Twista

And boy names:

Ø Google

Ø Hippo

Ø Neon

Ø Villiam

Ø Goodluck

Ø Hurricane

Ø Espn

Ø Mango

And here are some of the more bizarre celebrity baby names:

KAL-EL - Nicolas Cage names his son Kal-El, after Superman’s father

APPLE - Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin named their girl Apple because, according to Gwyn, apples sounded sweet and are wholesome

BLUE IVY - Beyonce and rap-star husband Jay-Z had their first child, Blue Ivy Carter, on 7 January 2012. Rumor is still out on why they chose a color as their baby’s first name, but Ivy resembles the roman numeral four (IV), which is the couples favorite number.

BEAR BLU- While we couldn’t be happier for Alicia Silverstone and the arrival of her bundle of joy, we can’t help but feel less than crazy about his name.

BUDDY BEAR - British chef Jamie Oliver and his wife, Jools, cooked up quite a name for their fourth child when he entered the proverbial kitchen. Although, it doesn’t come as a complete surprise since Buddy’s three big sisters are named—wait for it—Poppy Honey, Daisy Boo and Petal Blossom Rainbow.

SPARROW - We’re not really sure if Nicole Richie and Joel Madden had Captain Jack in mind when their son was born, or if they simply have an affinity for our fine-feathered friends. Either way, it remains to be seen if this particular name is going to, err, fly!

Expecting a new baby? Talk to Indwe Risk Services today to ensure your new nursery and additional baby goods are adequately insured. Call 0860 13 13 14 or visit www.indwerisk.co.za for more information.

LIGHTING SAFETY INDOOR SAFETY AND HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PETS

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 08:15:00 -0400

Following on from our previous post of how to stay safe during a lighting storm, we’ve received numerous requests from our Indwe clients on indoor safety and how to keep pets safe during a lighting storm.

The popular slogan “When thunder roars, go indoors!” is true but indoors doesn’t necessarily mean you are completely safe from lighting.

Indoor Activities - Things To Avoid

Inside homes, avoid activities which put lives at risk from a possible lightning strike. As with the outdoor activities, these should be avoided before, during, and after storms. In particular, stay away from windows and doors and avoid contact with anything that conducts electricity. People may also want to take certain actions well before the storm to protect property within their homes, such as electronic equipment.

What is a Safe Shelter?

A house, or other substantial building, offers the best protection from lightning. In assessing the safety provided by a particular structure, it is more important to consider what happens if the structure gets struck by lightning, rather than whether the structure will be hit by lightning.

For a shelter to provide protection from lightning, it must contain a mechanism for conducting the electrical current from the point of contact to the ground. These mechanisms may be on the outside of the structure, may be contained within the walls of the structure, or may be a combination of the two.

On the outside, lightning can travel along the outer shell of the building or may follow metal gutters and downspouts to the ground. Inside a structure, lightning can follow conductors such as the electrical wiring, plumbing, and telephone lines to the ground.

Avoid Unsafe Shelters!

Unless specifically designed to be lightning safe, small structures do little, if anything, to protect occupants from lightning. Many small open shelters on athletic fields, golf courses, parks, roadside picnic areas, schoolyards and elsewhere are designed to protect people from rain and sun, but not lightning.

A shelter that does not contain plumbing or wiring throughout, or some other mechanism for grounding from the roof to ground is not safe. Small wooden, vinyl, or metal sheds offer little or no protection from lightning and should be avoided during thunderstorms.

How Lightning Enters a House or Building

There are three main ways lightning enters homes and buildings:

(1) A direct strike,

(2) Through wires or pipes that extend outside the structure; and

(3) Through the ground.

Regardless of the method of entrance, once in a structure, the lightning can travel through the electrical, phone, plumbing, and radio/television reception systems. Lightning can also travel through any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring.

Stay Safe While Inside

Phone use is the leading cause of indoor lightning injuries in the United States. Lightning can travel long distances through both phone and electrical wires, particularly in rural areas.

Stay away from windows and doors as these can provide the path for a direct strike to enter a home. Do not lie on the concrete floor of a garage as it likely contains a wire mesh. In general, basements are a safe place to go during thunderstorms. However, there are some things to keep in mind. Avoid contact with concrete walls which may contain metal reinforcing bars. Avoid washers and dryers since they not only have contacts with the plumbing and electrical systems, but also contain an electrical path to the outside through the dryer vent.

Remember Your Pets

You may also want to consider the safety of your family pets during thunderstorms. Doghouses are not lightning-safe. Dogs that are chained to trees or chained to wire runners can easily fall victim to a lightning strike.

Protect Your Personal Property

Lightning also causes significant damage to personal property each year. In addition to direct strikes, lightning generates electrical surges that can damage electronic equipment some distance from the actual strike.

Whenever possible, unplug any appliances or electronic equipment from all conductors well before a thunderstorm threatens. This includes not only the electrical system, but also the reception system.

If you plan to be away from your home when thunderstorms are possible, be sure to unplug unneeded equipment before you leave.

Summary of Lightning Safety Tips for Inside the Home

1. Avoid contact with corded phones

2. Avoid contact with electrical equipment or cords. If you plan to unplug any

electronic equipment, do so well before the storm arrives.

3. Avoid contact with plumbing. Do not wash your hands, do not take a shower,

do not wash dishes, and do not do laundry.

4. Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches.

5. Do not lie on concrete floors and do not lean against concrete walls.

Talk to Indwe Risk Services today about the right insurance cover for your home. Call 0860 13 13 14 or visit www.indwerisk.co.za for more information.

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF…MUSIC

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 07:56:11 -0400

If music has charms to sooth the savage beast, then it should have an affect on road rage. Or at a minimum on one’s driving style. A recent experiment in England attempted to demonstrate this connection.

The study found that different types of music affect your driving style. Specifically, that rock and hip hop are particularly dangerous to drive to.

Music that is noisy, upbeat and increases your heart rate is a deadly mix,” noted Dr. Moore. “Fast beats can cause excitement and arousal that can lead people to concentrate more on the music than on the road.”

According to the study, the most dangerous driving song was ‘Hey Mama’ by the Black Eyed Peas. Other, supposedly, dangerous songs included ‘Paradise City’ by Guns N’ Roses, ‘Hit the Road, Jack’ by Ray Charles, ‘Get Rhythm’ by Johnny Cash, and ‘Heartless’ by Kanye West.

One other finding is particularly pertinent: listening to music you don’t like can cause stress and distraction which also negatively affects driving.

So should you be worried about the tunes you play in the car? Maybe. But this study doesn’t answer that question. Take, for example, the finding that listening to music you don’t like negatively affects your driving. Well, duh! And if you’re driving by yourself, why would you even listen to music you don’t like? It’s not as if someone else in the car was forcing you to.

That’s just the beginning when it comes to deficiencies in this study. It was performed with only eight drivers - not exactly a large sample, and hardly the basis for statistical significance!

Most importantly, the study didn’t test for much more relevant musical driving situations. Let’s say your passengers are singing ‘A Hundred Bottles of Beer On the Wall’? Is driving while listening to passengers singing dangerous? Is it more dangerous by the time there’s only one bottle left on the wall? Is it more dangerous than actually drinking 100 bottles of beer? That’s the kind of stuff we want to know. And, what about when the driver sings in the car? Is it safer than singing in the shower? Does it depend on the song? Or who is with you in the shower?!

By the way, the study also found that the safest songs to drive to include: ‘Come Away With Me’ by Norah Jones, ‘I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing’ by Aerosmith and ‘Tiny Dancer’ by Elton John. C’mon. They’ve got to be kidding!

Forget the study. I agree with actor Dudley Moore who observed, “The best car safety device is a rear-view mirror with a cop in it.” And, perhaps, the safest driving song is the one played by the siren.

Talk to Indwe Risk Services today about the right insurance cover for your vehicle. Call 0860 13 13 14 or visit www.indwerisk.co.za for more information.

HOLIDAY HOME INSURANCE

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 08:27:49 -0400

How not to let your holiday home dream go up in flames

Anyone who saw the flames tearing their way through more than 70 houses in St Francis Bay couldn’t fail to be horrified.

Whilst some of the properties were occupied, many of the properties caught in the blaze were holiday homes and unoccupied at the time. For those owners, suffering such a heart-breaking loss could also become a huge financial loss if they didn’t have proper holiday home insurance cover, or failed to make sure they knew about any exclusions within their policy.

“By far the most important piece of advice we give our clients, regarding their holiday home insurance,” reveals Joe Szemerei, executive head of Indwe Risk Service’s Direct division, “is to treat it in exactly the same way as their primary residence.”

Out of sight, out of mind can often apply to holiday homes – when they’re not being stayed in, they’re often not thought about.

“All insurance policies have exclusion clauses,” Joe explains, “and the big one for holiday home owners is to ensure they have made the insurer aware of the period of time the property is normally left unoccupied for.

An unoccupied property presents a higher risk to the insurer, so a higher tariff may be required, which is why they want to be made aware this. It’s important to keep in mind that these tariff ‘loadings’ are negligibly small in comparison to the potential loss that a policyholder can experience – this is not the time to be penny-wise!”

Szemerei advises holiday home owners, whose properties are going to be left empty for long periods of time, to consider adding vacant property cover to their policy.

Of course, rogue fires jumping from house to house due to high winds are unusual. There are many more common causes for holiday home insurance claims and a few exclusion clauses to be aware of.

Burst geysers, storm damage, roof leaks, electrical fires, pest damage and infestation have all been cited in holiday home claims. Szemerei continues: “Even if the owner has vacant property cover, damage resulting from a lack of property maintenance can cause insurance claims to be rejected.”

It’s not just the bricks and mortar of holiday homes which require protection - the contents of holiday homes are equally vulnerable, not just from water or fire damage but from theft and vandalism.

Security systems are essential and most policies will insist that alarms, gates and electric perimeter fences are registered, under warranty and regularly serviced. “Failure to do this,” warns Szemerei, “can leave holiday home owners with an insurance policy that won’t pay out in the event of a break-in.”

Going further still, even though owners may have contents insurance as part of their holiday home insurance – which generally covers furniture, appliances and other electrical equipment and interior decoration - many policies don’t include insurance provision for personal effects and valuables such as jewellery, mobile phones and laptops under the Contents Section of the policy. These quite often have to be specified under the All Risks Section - it is vitally important that policyholders discuss this with their broker.

It is also critical to ensure you aren’t under-insured in respect of your buildings or contents and that your insured values cater for a total loss, as was experienced by those unfortunate owners affected by the devastating fires in St Francis.

Szemerei also raises the issue of holiday home rentals, or having family and friends stay in your property: “Some residences are only ever occupied, by their owners, for a few weeks every year; others have family and friends who stay in them at various times too, and plenty of owners rent their properties to holiday makers.

It’s imperative that owners renting out their properties make sure they have legal liability provision, as part of their insurance, to cover the cost of any injuries sustained by guests caused by the property; cover can also be included to cover the costs of any legal disputes which may arise as a result.

Protection against damage to your property, caused by your guests, is also something that needs to be considered.”

It’s clear that standard, bare minimum household insurance isn’t going to provide sufficient cover for holiday homes, their contents, owners and any guests. Every holiday home is different; the lifestyles of each owner, contents left in the property, intended frequency of use (and by whom), and other relevant factors, vary massively.

Szemerei concludes: “With so many variables, and in light of the fires at St Francis Bay, holiday home owners should read through their existing policies very carefully. Then, if they’re not properly covered or are unsure, talk things through with a broker who can offer advice and tailor-make a policy to suit their specific property and individual needs.”

Being proactive about your holiday home insurance and making sure you’re fully covered is not only sensible – after all, you’ve invested a lot of money in your getaway property – it will give you peace of mind, knowing everything will be taken care of should something happen.

THE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT AND PRODUCT RECALL.

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 08:18:13 -0400

Who is responsible for Product Recalls? The risk of the entire supply chain.

Faulty Dell laptop batteries, prone to overheating and catching fire, caused Sony to issue a worldwide recall of more than 4 million of them.

A few years ago, Nokia had to recall an astounding 46 million batteries when it was discovered they were faulty and could explode.

Children’s toys are often subject to product recall due to the risk of lead poisoning as a result of the paint that’s been used; this was the case with wooden Thomas and Friends railway toys in 2007 and a worldwide recall was issued.

The very popular painkiller Synap Forte was withdrawn from the market in December 2010 after it was discovered a key ingredient could cause the heart to go into an abnormal heart rhythm – its manufacturer has lost R200 million in annual revenue as a result, let alone the costs incurred for the withdrawal and disposal of millions of tablets.

Toyota’s with sticky accelerator pedals, Honda’s with window switches prone to catching fire and car bonnets flying open on Renault Clio’s are just some of the recent vehicle recalls that have cost manufacturers a fortune.

Food, causing poisoning; baby equipment causing infant injury and death; yo-yo’s resulting in hundreds of near-strangulation cases – the product recall list goes on and on.

The question is, who’s liable when things go wrong; who’ll end up footing the bill: the manufacturer or producer of the product, or the retailer who sold it?

“Under the new Consumer Protection Act (CPA), which came into force on 1 April 2011, a consumer can sue everyone in the product supply chain for damages which resulted from a product being dangerous, hazardous or faulty,” explains Jan Drahota, head of Specialist Risk and Project at Indwe Risk Services. “Even inadequate usage instructions, or failing to warn against potential hazards, can be grounds enough to sue should an accident occur.”

Damages can be claimed for injury and loss of life, damage to, and loss of, property and any financial losses that may result from any of those.

“In addition to that,” continues Drahota, “producers, importers, distributors and retailers will now have to prove they are NOT responsible for damages caused. Beforehand, it was up to the consumer to prove negligence – the entire product supply chain is now deemed guilty of negligence until they can prove themselves innocent.”

This is a big win for the consumer, but could spell financial ruin for those who fail to make proper insurance provision against this new level of Product Liability risk.

“You must make sure your Product Liability policy adequately covers your business risk. Product recall provision, for example, is very often a policy exclusion,” warns Marnelle Ward, a liabilities specialist at Indwe Risk Services. She continues: “Not being covered for product recall will prove to be very costly and can often mean the end for smaller businesses along a supply chain.”

Products can be recalled for any one of the three Rs: Replacement, Repair or Refund – whichever is appropriate, the costs associated with any product recall are considerable: Advertising alerting the public to a recall, tracking down affected products, contacting consumers and compensating them for the cost of the item, funding necessary repairs, or issuing replacements, all need to be taken into account. Transportation costs covering the collection or return of products and, in certain cases, the proper destruction and disposal of them, must also be considered.

“Product Recall doesn’t just deal with the return of products and financial compensation to consumers,” notes Ward. “Products requiring modification also come under the product recall banner.”

Bumbo, South African manufacturers of a very popular baby seat, are recalling more than 4 million of them following reports of injuries, including skull fractures in the USA and Canada, but not for return - instead a safety belt attachment is being issued, free of charge.

An adequate Product Liability insurance policy, with provision for product recall, would cover Bumbo’s recall costs, plus any investigation, defence and award costs made, should a claim be brought against them. Anyone else involved in the Bumbo supply chain would need their own insurance cover to limit their risk.

When Toyota recalled millions of vehicles with sticky accelerator pedals, they suffered an estimated loss in excess of $2 billion (R17.3 billion). With another 7.4 million vehicles currently being recalled across the UK, USA and China, it’s the biggest single recall across the vehicle industry since 1996.

Remember Nokia and the exploding batteries? Although the public were exposed to them by Nokia, they were manufactured by a company called Matsushita who ended up footing the $172 million (almost R1.5 billon) recall bill.

Under the new CPA, everyone along those supply chains would be liable for any damages caused – from Nokia and Toyota to the manufacturer, the importer, the distributor and the retailer.

Guilty until proven innocent of damage caused by your negligence. Product Liability insurance, with specialist risk Product Recall cover included, is essential for any business bringing goods to the marketplace.

For more information visit www.indwerisk.co.za

Released by: Stratitude

On behalf of: Indwe Risk Services

Contact: Sheryl Allan

011 449 7333/ 083 626 2660/

Sheryl@stratitude.co.za

Fun in the sun could end in disaster if your business is not covered

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 08:07:19 -0400

MEDIA RELEASE

November 2012

When holidays are upon us, many outdoor activity and tourism businesses gear themselves up for the annual influx of holiday makers. Whether you own a charter fishing boat, are a large adventure company catering for thrill-seekers, or give pony rides at the local nursery - if you don’t have the necessary insurance cover you could land yourself in hot water.

“With so many holiday-makers seeking out adventure and leisure activities to enjoy during their end of year holidays, business opportunities within the tourism and leisure industry are considerable,” notes Jan Drahota, Head of Specialist Risk and Projects at Indwe Risk Services.

This is good news for the economy but can spell financial ruin for anyone, providing any kind of service within the leisure and tourism market, who isn’t adequately insured against potential risk.

“Small business owners, or seasonal businesses which only run during holiday periods, often don’t have adequate cover, or any cover at all, putting them at considerable risk,” Jancontinues, “because, should something go wrong, they’d become personally liable for damages.”

Marnelle Ward, a liabilities specialist at Indwe, explains:

“To enjoy full insurance cover, businesses should purchase both Public Liability and Professional Indemnity.”

“Public Liability insurance covers your business against damage caused to property and accident or injury occurring to a customer, or member of the public, as a direct result of your business activity. Professional Indemnity insurance,” she clarifies, “is required by anyonewho offers their expertise, advice or instruction in an expert, or qualified, capacity; it is no longer the preserve of those in the medical, legal or consultancy professions.”

This dual layer of cover would protect, for example, a pony ride service provider against claims made because a child fell off and hurt themselves, or cover a river rafting company should there be a drowning, or injuries, during a trip.

Failure to have any, or insufficient, cover leaves you exposed to being sued in your personal capacity. “Your home and any other assets will be at risk,” warns Marnelle. “Remember, the legal costs to defend a claim against someone who was injured while participating in an activity could be considerable; by taking out the right cover, your insurance will cover the legal costs.”

Different businesses have unique and varied exposures to risk and require different levels of indemnity and liability protection. Says Ward: “The ‘one policy fits all’ model is undesirable and often leaves business owners inadequately, or incorrectly, insured.”

“A guesthouse owner has a very different level of risk and liability, compared to that of a white-water rafting adventure experience company,” explains Jan. “It’s wise for a business owner to discuss their specific needs and potential risk areas with a broker, who has the necessary industry expertise to guide them through the minefield of business insurance. Insurance cover can then be tailor-made for their individual business and risk,” he concludes.

Know your business, identify your risk and adequately insure against it. Do everything you can to fulfil the duty of care you have to your customers and clients, and enjoy a safe, worry-free year!

For more information visit indwerisk.co.za

Media contact :

Released by: Stratitude

On behalf of : Indwe Risk Services

Sheryl Arnoldi

sheryl@stratitude.co.za

Phone : +27 11 449 7333

Mobile : +27 83 626 2660

Indwe South African Senior Golf Provincial Tournament 2013 - Players List

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 06:25:00 -0400

With the tournament set to kick-off this weekend, we would like to wish all the teams taking part in this years tournament the best of luck!

Click here to download a list of all the players and teams taking part this year.

Senior Appointments at Indwe Risk Services Announced

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 08:45:00 -0400

14 March 2013

Indwe Risk Services MD Peter Olyott, today announced two senior appointments in the business which will give impetus to achieving the objectives outlined in the company’s business strategy .

The Indwe Risk Services business will comprise of two main business streams: Individual & Volume Business and Business & Specialist Insurances . With immediate effect, Joe Szemerei is appointed as Director: Individual & Volume Business and Jan Drahota as Director: Business & Specialist Insurances .

Both will have ultimate responsibility for the attainment of revenue goals incorporating retention , cancellations, organic growth and new business .

Szemerei and Drahota joins Peter Olyott, Yolande von Esch, Jabu Sibisi, Jacques Jordaan and Giel Mulleron the new Indwe Risk Services Exco.

Indwe Risk Services voted TOP by customers for the second year in a row

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 08:33:00 -0400

MEDIA RELEASE

March 2013

For the second year in a row Indwe Risk Services has triumphed over its rivals and won the South African Service Award in the Financial Services Short-term Insurance category.

South African Service Awards are highly prized by their winners and trusted by consumers as, unlike many other industry awards, companies are judged and voted for by their customers, based on the service they have received.

Beating other insurance providers to the top spot, such as MiWay, Santam and Outsurance, Indwe are justifiably proud of their achievement.

“As an insurance broker, customer service and satisfaction is our first priority,” explains Indwe’s Joe Szemerei, Executive Head: Direct Services. “In an increasingly competitive market, quality customer care is often the only thing that really differentiates one provider from another so, as you can imagine, we are absolutely thrilled to have won the South African Service Award for a second consecutive year.”

Szemerei concludes: “It means we’re continuing to achieve our goals and deliver on our primary promise: to provide a trusted, first class insurance service where we build relationships with our customers and put their needs ahead of our sales.”

The lowest price is often considered king but in the world of short term insurance, at least, customers have had made their views clear: high quality customer service isin demand, is worth paying for, and is something that Indwe Risk Services provides as standard.

For more information visit www.indwerisk.co.za

Media contact :

Released by: Stratitude

On behalf of : Indwe Risk Services

Sarah Macdonald

sarah@stratitude.co.za

Phone : +27 (0)11 449 7333

Mobile : +27 (0)82 856 4416

Cell phone safety tips for kids, tweens and teens

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 01:16:46 -0500

Most parents aren’t discussing whether their kids will own a cell phone, but rather when their kids will own a cell phone.

When plans change, practice ends early, or you’re running late, a cell phone is a parent’s best friend — but it will only keep your child safe if you set the right rules and talk about risks.

Try these tips for mobile protection, and make sure you set a good example by following them yourself.

· Start Simple. Show him how to use the phone, pointing out valuable features like the key lock, vibrate, and alarm. Programme the speed dial with your contact information and other emergency numbers. For extra security, consider buying one of several models designed just for kids. Some require parents to enter all phone numbers, so kids can only send and receive calls from approved individuals.

· Limit Usage. Designate time slots for talking — perhaps after homework and chores are completed, or before dinner. Don’t let constant calls interrupt family time, such as meals or even the car ride to school. It’s easy for a chatty child to cuddle up to an itty-bitty phone as she heads to bed, so check in periodically.

· Teach Responsibility. Make sure your child understands a cell phone is not a toy. Explain the fees associated with text messages, games, or sharing photos. It’s a good opportunity to learn a lesson about budgeting. If his phone has extra features, set limits.

· Keep It Private. Instruct her to use caution when giving out her number. If she needs to exchange contact information with someone she doesn’t know very well, she should feel comfortable taking the other person’s number instead of providing her own. Make sure she does not publicise her number on the Internet.

· Assess Before Answering. Teach him not to answer calls or text messages from numbers he doesn’t recognise. If it is important, the caller will leave a message and then he can decide how to respond. Explain how to block calls from unwanted numbers.

· Exercise Etiquette. In addition to enforcing your own rules, make sure your child respects the rules of other establishments. Phones should be turned off or silenced at hospitals, movie theaters, and restaurants, for example. Restrict use during after-school activities or on the bus.

· Stay Organised. Always keep your child’s cell phone charger in the same place. It’s best to find a central location — like a kitchen counter, or a table by the door — so she won’t forget to plug it in or grab it on the way out. Mark the end of the monthly billing cycle on a calendar to remind her how long those dwindling minutes have to last.

· Protect Your Property. Invest in a carrying case or cover to protect the phone from spills, scratches, drops, or bottomless backpacks! Teach him to be discreet and keep the phone tucked away when not in use. It isn’t safe to flash phones, wallets, jewelry, mp3 players, or other valuable possessions in public places like shopping malls or bus stops.

· Be Wary of Download Overload. Fun ringtones, games, and backgrounds can be amusing, but before revamping the phone, consider the facts. Such features are unnecessary and can come with potential bugs or hidden fees. Your child may also be more likely to show them off, risking theft or loss.

· Bullying by phone. As young people’s social lives are so much about cell phones and the Internet, cyber-bullying and harassment have gone mobile too. Talk with your kids about how the same manners and ethics you’ve always taught them in life apply on phones and the Web too.

Mobile social networking. Many social sites have a feature that allows users to check their profiles and post comments from their phones. That means some teens can do social networking literally anywhere, in which case any filter you may have installed on a home computer does nothing to block social networking. Talk with your teens about where they’re accessing their profiles or blogs from and whether they’re using the same good sense about how they’re networking on their phones.

Social mapping. More and more cell phones have GPS technology installed, which means teens who have these phones can pinpoint their friends’ physical location – or be pinpointed by their friends. Talk with your kids about using such technology and advise them to use it only with friends they know in person.

Media-sharing by phone. Most mobile phones we use today have cameras, even videocams – and teens love to share media with friends on all types of mobile devices. There is both a personal-reputation and safety aspect to this. Talk with your teens about never letting other people photograph or film them in embarrassing or inappropriate situations (and vice versa). They need to understand their own and others’ privacy rights when it comes to sharing photos and videos via cell phones.

‘Smart phones.’ More and more people can access all that the Web offers, appropriate or not, on their phones as well as computers. Mobile carriers are beginning to offer filtering for the content available on their services, but they have no control over what’s out there on the Web. Parents of younger kids might want to consider turning off Web access and turning on filtering if they’re concerned about access to adult content.

With all of the things that can go wrong, you might ask yourself whether your child really needs a cell phone. When discussing mobile phones for under-10s, it’s a family decision. “What may be right for one family may not be right for another. And while ‘need’ is a strong word, there can be good reasons for giving a child under 10 a cell phone,” explain a SafetyWeb expert. “For example, if a child spends a lot of time in transit without parental guidance, e.g., on school buses, giving them a cell phone for emergency situations can put both parents and child more at ease.”

Make sure you have adequate insurance to cover your own and your child’s mobile phone in the event of loss, damage or theft. Talk to Indwe Risk Services about the right insurance cover for your needs.

Buying your first house? Here is a step-by-step guide to get you on the right track.

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 08:21:00 -0500

Buying a home may be the biggest purchase you ever make and can be a daunting process but there is no reason to feel overwhelmed.

If you do your homework and educate yourself to make sure that you understand the basics about key issues, your efforts will pay off when you find the right home and successfully finance it with a loan you can afford.

Do some market research and work out your budget

Talk to your Bank about a conditional pre-approval so you know how much you can borrow before looking at homes.

Then look in your local paper’s property section to get a feel for the market. You can also use online property sites to help you decide on areas you may like to live in and to filter properties according to location and price.

Go house-hunting

Once you’ve decided on a suitable area and have an idea of your budget, speak to estate agents in the area to show you some properties.

When you start viewing properties, you might like to take:

A criteria checklist, to know what you’re looking for

A camera to keep track of the properties you’ve seen

A notepad to jot down pros and cons, the price and other distinctive features

Don’t fall in love with a house you can’t buy

Find out how much you can afford: establishing your purchase power upfront, including how much money will be required for a down payment and closing costs, is a must for first-time buyers.

Apply for a home loan

You can apply for your home loan online or make an appointment with your bank. Once you’ve filled in an application form and supplied the necessary documents, your bank will discuss all the options with you so you can select which home loan is right for you.

When you apply for a home loan, you will be asked for these documents:

Proof of your identity and photographic identification, such as your driver’s licence or passport

Proof of your income such as payslips if you are regularly employed or financial statements if you are self-employed

A record of what you owe, including one month’s statements for any credit cards or personal loans you may have

Take out building insurance

Your bank will require that you take out building insurance, also known as mortage insurance. This you can either do directly with your financial provider or you can save money by bundling the insurance with your home contents or vehicle insurance. Speak to Indwe Risk Services for a competitive quote so you can consider all your options and get the best possible rate.

Make an offer

As a first time buyer you are more attractive to a seller because you are not in a chain waiting to sell an existing property.

Work with your real estate agent to determine the appropriate amount for your initial offer based on comparable home sales, market value, condition of the home and your closing date.

Put your offer in writing and handle all negotiations in writing to make sure both parties understand the terms of the agreement. If you negotiate verbally, follow up in writing.

Exchange of contracts

Once your conveyancer or solicitor has reviewed the contract of sale, you and the seller each sign a copy, which is known as an “exchange of contracts”.

You will be required to pay a holding deposit to show good faith and the full deposit with you exchange contracts.

Settlement

You will receive a message from your financial institution advising when the bank is ready to settle your loan. Once your loan has settled, your lender will call you to confirm settlement is complete and confirm your loan details,stamp duty and registration costs will be charged, your title deeds and mortgage will be registered and you will get the keys to your new home!

Ensure you are insured

Speak to your insurance broker about in-transit insurance for your home contents. Also ensure that you inform your insurer of your new address and find out how this might impact on your home and motor insurance. Our advisors at Indwe Risk Services are on call for competitive quotes and advice to ensure you are adequately insured.

Remember that the following elements will impact on your home and motor insurance at your new home like security features such as an electric fence and home alarm system or whether your car will be in a garage or outside in the road as well as the value of your home contents.

Being under-insured is one of the main causes of disappointment when home owners claim. Indwe Risk Services will advise and guide you, making sure that your home and the things you love most are insured and replaceable in the event of a break-in or damage.

Get Moving

You are now ready to move into your new home and it’s time to celebrate! Be sure to keep money aside for miscellaneous expenses such as:

removal companies

costs for connection of utilities

your first home loan repayment

Also don’t forget to update your contact details. This is important when it comes to your driver’s licence, medical details, tax office and insurance company

Get connected

And finally, you’ll need to sort out connection for;

Gas and electricity

Satellite TV

Water

Internet and phone

Enjoy your new home! Remember Indwe Risk Services is just a phone call away, standing by to give you sound insurance advice and competitive quotes.

Do you employ a domestic worker or a nanny? Here is what you should know.

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 11:15:00 -0500

Domestic workers are an integral part of the South African landscape, providing working moms with a crucial extra pair of extra hands. There are around 900 000 domestic workers in South Africa and a recent survey found that only 48% of households comply with the law governing the employment of domestic workers.

Domestic work arrangements have been agreed very informally in the past with few employer/employee relationships documented in proper, written contracts.

But, as a result of many domestic workers being exploited, working in unfavourable conditions for long hours and poor pay, the Department of Labour has stepped in.

On top of this strict law enforcement, many domestic workers are opting to take their employers to the CCMA in event of a dispute. Without a formal agreement between employer and employee, a fair outcome becomes harder to reach.

The Basic Conditions of Employment Act requires employers to conclude a written employment agreement with their domestic workers, gardeners and child-minders (including drivers of children) and those who look after the sick, aged or disabled in private homes. These prescriptions include the following:

Every domestic worker should receive a written pay slip on payday setting out the employee’s details, the ordinary and overtime hours worked during the payment period, the applicable rate of remuneration and any deductions made by the employer.
No deductions may be made from a domestic worker’s pay for breakages, work clothing or meals provided. If accommodation is provided, no more than 10% of the worker’s monthly salary may be deducted as an accommodation allowance.
A domestic worker must be given a meal break of at least 30 minutes after every 5 hours of continuous work.
A domestic worker may not be required to work more than 15 hours of overtime in any week. Any overtime worked must be remunerated with additional pay or leave.
If a public holiday falls on a day on which a domestic worker would usually work, the employer must pay the domestic worker for the day, even if the domestic worker doesn’t work that day.
A domestic worker can only be called upon to work on a public holiday if there is a written agreement allowing for this. Such work must be remunerated by double pay.
Every domestic worker is entitled to three weeks annual leave.

The only way to clarify what each party can expect and have to contribute to the relationship is by signing a Domestic Employment Agreement prior to employment.

This work contract sets out the duties, hours and place of work, wages, overtime, leave and termination of services for a clear understanding of the terms of employment. What is the minimum wage for domestic workers? The minimum wages for domestic workers who work more than 27 ordinary hours per week in an urban area is set at R1 746 per month and for a domestic worker who works 27 hours or less per week it’s R1 237.60 per month.

If you are paying your domestic worker more than the minimum wage, increases are not compulsory and any increase is negotiable between the parties.

Get information and administrative tools to keep you legally compliant as a domestic employer with Domestere from Indwe Risk Services.

Domestere is the number one solution for employers of domestic and casual workers, giving you access to simple online tools that allow you to properly manage your employees and keep legally compliant.

Domestere also includes important personal accident cover for your domestic employees, in the event of anything happening to them while working for you (such as a motor vehicle or home-based accident, animal attack or assault).

Domestere will assist you with your contract of employment and in registering your employees with UIF. It will guide you on approaching your workers in terms of their job functions and ensure you are up to date and compliant with labour law. The admin tools help you produce pay slips with the correct and up-to-date statutory deductions and provide an effective way of tracking payments - and it’s available at your convenience, 24 hours a day.

Domestere provides:

A standard contract of employment
A service record Termination of employment contract
Access to advice specific to the informal working environment
Access to labour-related articles and advice Legislative compliance with up-to-date changes
Regular updates and email notifications regarding legal compliance

Domestere covers:

Electronic support Easy access for online UIF registrations and payments
Accidental death and permanent total disability: R75 000 Income protection:
Actual salary subject to a maximum of R1 000 per week, for a maximum period of 52 weeks (subject to a 7-day excess). This is based on your employment contract in respect of contractual days worked and the salary reflected on your domestic worker’s pay slip
Medical expenses: Up to R20 000 (with an excess of R750 per incident) Death-in-service benefit (funeral assistance): R10 000

For more information on Domestere speak to Indwe Risk Services; we’ll help you

What to Do When Lightning Strikes

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 11:02:55 -0500

This article could save your life. Share with family, friends and your kids to ensure everyone knows how to stay safe during a lightning storm.

In the light of recent incidents in which adults and school kids have been struck by lightning, here’s what to do and what not to do when lightning strikes.

Keep an eye on the weather

Outdoors is the most dangerous place to be during a thunderstorm. Therefore always keep an eye on the weather: Look for cumulus clouds with a typical “cauliflower“ or “candyfloss” shape that may form towering clouds. Muggy weather with increasing wind, rolls of thunder, sheet lightning and falling air pressure are all signs that a thunderstorm is approaching.

Estimate your distance from a thunderstorm

To roughly estimate your distance from a thunderstorm, count the number of seconds between a flash of lightning and the next clap of thunder. Divide this number by 3 to get the number of kilometers.

If you do not hear thunder 30 seconds after you saw a lightning flash you are on the safe side as the thunderstorm is far enough away. If you hear thunder 15 seconds after a lightning flash, it is only about 5km away. You are at high risk if you hear thunder less than 5 seconds after a lightning flash.

Seek shelter as soon as possible

The biggest mistake people make is waiting too long to seek shelter when a storm hits. The most important thing to do when thunder roars is to go take cover inside a building. A pavilion, carport or similar structure does not provide sufficient protection so ideally try to get indoors.

What to do if you are in open terrain

If caught outdoors, there are two main dangers:

First and foremost, being when you are the highest point around and secondly, when lightning strikes near you. In this case, the current is conducted to the ground and quickly spreads out in all directions, forming a dangerous potential gradient. For this reason, never lie flat on the ground if you are caught in the open during a thunderstorm. Crouch down immediately, put your feet as close together as possible and wrap your arms around your legs.

Put down bicycles, golf bags or golf clubs and keep a distance of at least 1 m, or even better 3 m, from these objects. Hollows, stone beds or protruding rocks may provide shelter. If you are in a group of people, spread out. It is vital to keep a distance of at least 1 m, or even better 3 m, from walls, metal fences, etc.

Avoid trees, groves, edges of forests and the wood poles of overhead lines since these are particularly vulnerable to lightning. The risk of being hit by a lightning strike inside a forest with trees of uniform height is considerably lower, however, keep a 10m distance from all trees.

What to do if you are on a playing field

Sportsmen and sportswomen as well as spectators are highly at risk during a thunderstorm if they stand on the playing field, in uncovered stands or next to poles or flagpoles. Keep at least 1 m, or even better 3 m away from poles. Covered stands need a lightning protection system on the roof to provide safety. Keep at least 3 m away from radio masts and flagpoles and put down any flags, umbrellas and golf clubs that you might be carrying.

What to do during fishing, hunting or camping

Fishermen on the water are at great risk during a thunderstorm. If you have just caught a fish, take it off the hook immediately, lay down your fishing rod and seek shelter on land. Hunters should immediately leave open tree stands at the first sign of lightning and thunder. When camping, never erect your tent directly next to poles or pylons, at the edge of a forest or next to isolated trees.

Use an insulating mattress and do not touch the tent poles during a thunderstorm. If your tent or caravan has no metal structure, it is as dangerous as an open field. Keep a distance of at least 3 m from other tents and caravans. Crouch down in your tent on an insulating, dry mattress and be sure to keep sufficient distance from the tent wall.

When on the golf course A golf course is one of the most dangerous places to be during a thunderstorm. Avoid isolated trees, open terrain and forest edges.

Shelters are only safe when equipped with a lightning protection system that conforms to relevant standards. If the time period between a flash and thunder is less than 30 seconds, go straight to a clubhouse, shelter or car.

To get there do not walk in groups of people, avoid physical contact with each other and leave your golf equipment behind. If the time period between a flash and thunder is only 5 seconds, crouch down immediately – preferably in a hollow.

Put your feet as close together as possible and tuck your head in. Stay in shelters for about 30 minutes after you hear the last rumble of thunder. When outside, the most important thing to remember is to crouch down low with as little of your body touching the ground as possible so that if you kneel down it’s just the balls of your feet touching the ground.

How to extend the life of your stuff

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 05:19:00 -0500

Making our money stretch further is a natural ambition – particularly when it comes to replenishing weekly grocery supplies or having to replace those items that help our lives run smoothly. You will be amazed at how much money you can save just by making some everyday things last longer.

Get the longest lifespan possible out of some of your goods with these useful tips:

Carpet capers

Cheap carpets will typically last from 3 to 5 years while good quality carpeting may have a life lasting 10 to 20 years, if you take good care of it, that is. Add some life to your carpeting with these tips:

Rearrange your furniture, so that one are of the carpet is not constantly subject to wear.
Vacuum regularly.
Avoid tracking in dirt.
Shampoo your carpets and rugs.
Snip loose threads.
Treat spills and stains quickly.
Designate eating areas.

Nibbly bits

Do you often find yourself throwing out food because of spoilage? Well here are some tricks to keep your food fresher for longer:

Store fruits and vegetables separately to slow down the “ripening” process.
Store food at correct temperatures.
Vacuum seal foods in zip lock bags to preserve them.
Protect dry goods from insects and pests.
Chill bananas after they ripen. The peel darkens but the fruit lasts longer.
Store leftovers in airtight food containers.

Make your bed and lie in it

Mattresses are expensive —a good quality mattress can cost several thousand rands. To maintain your mattress, try this:

It’s important to redistribute the mattress wear – in other words if you always lie on one side, the mattress will develop a dent in that area. The solution is to flip your mattress every other week or month. You can also try rotating it without having to flip it. Use a mattress protector to keep the mattress clean and stain free — a great idea because mattress protectors can be washed.

Keep your costume in the swim

Bought a new swimsuit before the holiday or just invested in an expensive chlorine- resistant one to swim in the gym pool with? Make your swimsuit last longer by following these 2 easy tips:

The key to caring for your swimsuit is what happens after you’ve hit the surf or sand. Whether you’ve been swimming in a pool, lake, or ocean, always rinse your suit out immediately with cool water to remove all the salt or chemicals. Don’t put your swimsuit in the washing machine, rather wash it by hand with a gentle cleanser like Woolite. You can of course use specially- designed swimsuit cleaner, but regular rinsing and hand-washing is just as effective.

After washing your suit, squeeze – don’t wring – the water out, then allow it to air dry by hanging it upside down, away from the sun’s damaging rays. Make sure to give your suit time to dry completely; otherwise odour-causing bacteria and mold will have a party in the damp fabric.

Look after man’s best friend

Look after your dog’s teeth: It’s important to brush your furry friend’s teeth at least a couple of times every week. Don’t use your own toothpaste, use special toothpaste made for dogs. You can also visit your veterinarian to have your dog’s teeth cleaned.

Keep your dog at a healthy weight: Ensure your dog gets enough exercise and eats a healthy diet. Avoid feeding your dog snacks and unhealthy tidbits. Excess weight is as bad for dogs as it is for humans.

Provide your dog with regular exercise: Your dog should get at least an hour of exercise every day – take him for a nice long walk and let him run and sniff and enjoy.

Get regular checkups, vaccinations and de-worming: Visit the veterinarian at least once a year when dogs are fully grown and two to four times per year while they are puppies.

Give your dog time to relax: Allow your dog to rest for at least an hour every day and do not force him to do activities if he is not interested. Your dog will need a shady area to relax in. Always keep a big bowl of cool water nearby.

Fabulous footwear

Buy good quality shoes. Natural materials like leather and suede will last longer than man-made materials, and so are worth paying more for.

Untie your shoes each time you take them off to maintain their shape.

If you wear your shoes in the rain, allow them to dry completely before wearing them again. Newspaper stuffed inside the shoes will help to hold their shape while they dry.

Sprinkle baking soda in your shoes nightly, or as needed, to remove lingering odours and moisture. Remember to throw the baking soda out before wearing the shoes again.

Soles often wear out before the rest of the shoe, so have your shoes resoled once wear and tear starts.

Care for cars

Under pressure Keep your tyres at the right inflation pressure to ensure your safety and to save on fuel and tyre maintenance.

Warning signs Most vehicles, and certainly the newer models, will alert you to any problems, such as oil pressure, cooling system or tyre pressure. When a warning light goes on, immediately have the issue checked out.

Drive smart You not only save wear and tear by having good driving habits, but also fuel. Accelerating rapidly and braking just as rapidly can negatively affect the engine, brakes and other parts.

Good and clean - Take care of the exterior of your car by regularly washing and waxing it. Also spend time keeping it clean and odour-free by regularly vacuuming the interior. Tackle spills immediately otherwise they will be more difficult to remove.

Get it covered - Store your car in a garage or under a carport or cover to keep it out of the sun and away from bird droppings and tree sap. Also be careful where you park to avoid dings. Shopping trolleys are a typical culprit.

Keeping your car maintained will not only make it last longer but will also increase the resale value. Just as the old real estate mantra goes – location, location, location, the car sale mantra is condition, condition, condition.

Talk to Indwe Risk Services today about the right insurance cover for the things you love. Call 0860 13 13 14 or visit www.indwerisk.co.za for more information.

Top 10 Fuel Saving Tips

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 04:19:03 -0500

There’s not much you can do to influence the cost of fuel, but you can certainly squeeze a bit more distance out of every litre, which can really add up at today’s fuel prices.

Whether you drive a zippy hatchback or a fuel-guzzling SUV, these ten fuel saving tips can help you improve your car’s fuel economy and take some of the sting out of high fuel prices.

1. Take it slowly

One of the best ways to save fuel is to simply reduce your speed. As speed increases, fuel economy decreases exponentially. If you are one of those heavy-footed drivers, try driving the speed limit for a few days. You’ll save a lot of fuel and your journey really won’t take that much longer.

2. Check that pressure

Under-inflated tyres are one of the most commonly ignored causes of high fuel consumption. Why? Because under-inflated tyres have more rolling resistance, which means you need to burn more gas to keep your car moving. So, make sure you have your tyre pressure checked at least once a month. Check them when they are cold, because driving the car warms up the tyres along with the air inside them, which increases pressure and gives a falsely high reading. Use the inflation pressures shown in the owner’s manual or on the data plate on the inside of the driver’s door.

3. Service with a smile

A dirty air filter restricts the flow of air into the engine, which harms performance and economy. By having your car serviced regularly, you will save on fuel.

4. Hold back on the revs

Jack-rabbit starts are an obvious fuel-waster - but that doesn’t mean you should crawl away from every traffic light. If you drive an automatic, accelerate moderately so the transmission can shift up into the higher gears. Manual drivers should shift early to keep the revs down, but don’t lug the engine - downshift if you need to accelerate. Keep an eye well down the road for potential slowdowns. If you accelerate to speed then have to brake right away, it wastes fuel.

5. Keep trucking

Ever notice how, in bad traffic jams, cars seem to constantly speed up and slow down, while trucks tend to roll along at the same leisurely pace? A constant speed keeps changing gears to a minimum - important to those who have to wrangle with those ten-speed truck transmissions - but it also aids economy, as it takes much more fuel to get a vehicle moving than it does to keep it moving.

6. Be natural

Consider shutting off the air conditioner, opening the windows and enjoying the breeze. It may be a tad warmer, but at lower speeds you’ll save fuel. That said, at higher speeds the air conditioner may be more efficient than the wind resistance from open windows and sunroof.

7. Back off the bling

New wheels and tyres may look cool, and they can certainly improve handling. But if they are wider than the factory fitted tyres, chances are they’ll create more rolling resistance and decrease fuel economy.

8. Clean up

If you’re the type who takes a leisurely attitude towards car cleanliness, make a point of regularly going through your car and see what can be tossed out or brought into the house. It doesn’t take much to acquire stuff, and the more weight your car has to lug around, the more fuel it burns.

9. Make small

If you’re shopping for a new car, it’s time to re-evaluate how much car you really need. Smaller cars are inherently more fuel-efficient, and today’s small cars are safer and roomier than ever.

10. Don’t drive

Not a popular thing to say but the fact is that if you can avoid driving, you’ll save fuel. Carpool or consolidate your shopping trips. Walking or biking is good for your wallet and your health. And before you get in your car, always ask yourself: “Is this trip really necessary?”

Happy travelling in 2013! Ensure your wheels are adequately covered with the right insurance cover. Talk to Indwe Risk Services today. Contact 0860 13 13 14 or visit www.indwerisk.co.za for more information.

Heavy rains over eastern and northern parts of South Africa this weekend.

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 04:40:58 -0500

The South African Weather Service wishes to advise disaster management structures that there is a high likelihood of widespread heavy rains over North West, Gauteng, northern Free State, KwaZuluNatal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga from late Friday 18 January 2013 to Sunday, 20 January 2013.

These heavy rains will be caused by an intense low pressure moving in from Botswana. As consequence of heavy rains, the river and stream systems will begin flowing strongly. The danger of flash-flooding should be kept in mind. There have already been heavy rains experienced over parts of Mpumalanga and Limpopo earlier this week and rivers in these areas are running high. These two provinces run the highest risk for flooding this weekend.

Here below are the stations which have measured the highest rain in the past 72hours (ending at 08:00 this morning):

Graskop=216mm
Nelspruit=73mm
Hoedspruit=49mm
Mara=54mm
Tzaneen=166mm
Phalaborwa=112mm
Thohoyandou=154mm

It should also be noted that several stations over southern Zimbabwe also measured heavy rains.

The public are therefore urged not to try to cross rivers and streams that are in flood, irrespective of whether they are on foot or in a vehicle. Settlements close to rivers or within flood plains must also monitored in case of the rising water levels.

These heavy rains are also likely to have serious impact on the opening day of the AFCON football tournament starting on Saturday at the National Stadium in Johannesburg. The neighbouring countries of Botswana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and southern Mozambique will also be affected by these adverse weather conditions.

Shopping around for cheaper home and car insurance?

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 03:36:15 -0500

Find out why cheap doesn’t mean best.

It’s the beginning of a brand new year and after all those holiday and Christmas expenses, not to mention the new school year ahead, you are now feeling the pinch in your wallet.

You’ve probably gone through your bank statements and tried to identify where you can save on expenses. And home and car insurance premiums are probably way up there on your list.

We understand. January is usually the month that finds everyone out of pocket so every rand you can save on your insurance policy is another rand that stays in your pocket.

The bottom line is that when it comes to saving on car and household insurance, cheaper isn’t always better.

“Cheap car and home insurance” rarely translates to “best insurance”

We’ve all heard the timeless (and tiresome) old saying that “you get what you pay for.” From shopping around for the best deals to trawling for retail sales, we all find ways to get what we want for next to nothing. But in the world of short term insurance, the old adage still rings true. Let’s take a look at why the cheapest insurance available isn’t always the best insurance for you:

Minimal coverage means minimal protection. Even though you may think that you got a good deal on cheap car insurance from your broker or insurance company, think again. The reality may be that you have merely purchased a low amount of insurance coverage, which could mean that you may not have enough to cover an accident. And that will put you in the hot seat if you have to fork out for what your insurance company refuses to pay.

Higher deductibles result in more out-of-pocket expenses. Yes, bumping up your deductibles will shave a bit off the top of your monthly insurance bill. But it will also increase the cost of filing a claim. Paying as much as R2 000 out of pocket when you file a comprehensive claim can make the money you saved on your premium feel paltry.

Paying less for cheap car insurance is often not a question of what you get, it’s more about what you don’t get.

The short-term high of sealing, a cheap insurance deal may result in a bitter reality check when too little coverage results in denied insurance claims.

There are other, and better, ways to save on your car insurance If you want low cost car insurance that doesn’t sacrifice vital coverage, look for the discounts available to you. Here are a few of our most popular discounts:

Multi-Car discount
Homeowners discount
Vehicle tracking device discounts
Home security discounts

So how do you get the cheapest and best car insurance? It starts with smart shopping. Get and compare quotes side by side. Speak to a reputable insurance broker like Indwe Risk Services, to help you compare apples with apples and identify the best coverage to suit your risk profile and your lifestyle. Then you will be reliably assured of getting the right policy match.

Talk to Indwe Risk Services today about the right insurance cover for you or to review your existing policy to ensure you are adequately covered. Call 0860 13 13 14 or visit www.indwerisk.co.za for more information.

Christmas Wish List for Burglars

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 03:16:40 -0500

During the December holiday season, there is usually an increase in criminal activities due to home owners being away from their homes for extended periods of time. Before you go off to enjoy your holiday festivities and well-deserved rest, be aware of what burglars have on their “Christmas Wish List” when they break into a home. By taking necessary and calculated precautions, you can make it that much more difficult for them to get what they’re after.

In a recent sample of items claimed for, Indwe Risk Services found that the 10 most popular items stolen in any burglary are:

Jewellery
Computer equipment, specifically laptops, notebooks and tablet devices
Clothing
Televisions and home theatre systems
Cameras
Cell phones
Luggage and handbags
Power tools
Toiletries and cosmetics
Bedding

Says Joe Szemerei, head of the Direct division at Indwe Risk Services, “Burglars know and understand their markets and they tend to zone in on those items which give them the best return for their efforts, namely the high-value , in-demand and easily transportable items.”

There aren’t always practical ways of specifically safeguarding our possessions in our homes and, honestly, we all feel that our homes are our sanctuaries where constant thought of criminal intent should not be allowed to dictate our lives. Sadly, the reality is that in addition to the external security measures we install, it pays to be aware of the things criminals focus on, and take the necessary steps to further protect our valuables.

One cannot realistically keep a television or pair of expensive running shoes locked in a safe, but keeping in mind that jewellery could potentially always be on the “wish list”, it is worthwhile spending some of your hard-earned money on a good quality, properly installed home safe or by making use of your bank’s ‘custody of valuable goods’ services.

Other measures to consider include; making use of trusted, professional house-sitters and ensuring your security company is aware that your home is unoccupied.

So, before hitting the high road to your holiday destination, put some thought into what could happen on your home front whilst you are away. Usually all the concentration and focus goes into the planning and execution of the holiday, however, neglecting to consider your home front can have unfortunate consequences.

Families whose homes have been subject to criminal activities whilst they were away face a financially and emotionally taxing time when they return from holiday. Even though you might not have been able to prevent a loss from occurring, you should ensure that your insurance cover is in place and that you understand it (even the terms and conditions) before you go on holiday. This is where your broker’s advice can prove invaluable.

Talk to Indwe Risk Services today about the right insurance cover for you or to review your existing policy to ensure you are adequately covered. Contact 0860 13 13 14 or visit www.indwerisk.co.za for more information.

Indwe Risk Services announces appointment of Peter Olyott as Managing Director.

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 02:52:00 -0500

Indwe Risk Services recently announced the appointment of its new managing director, Peter Olyott. Having extensive senior management experience in the short term insurance industry, Olyott will lead Indwe into the next phase of the brokerage’s ongoing growth plan. He has been with the business for the past three years heading up the Advisory division, which includes Indwe’s network of 33 branches, and Specialist Risk.

Under Olyott’s leadership the divisions have enjoyed steady growth in new business and market share. Olyott will work closely with the management team to ensure a continued commitment to providing tailored insurance solutions for the brokerage’s policyholders.

“Indwe Risk Services is a forward-thinking business that prides itself on high standards and excellent customer service. We have experienced significant growth in the business and I am excited to be working with the executive team in taking the business to the next stage of its development and making Indwe Risk Services the insurance broker of choice in the South African and African market,” says Olyott.

Indwe Risk Services was recently ranked the third largest commercial lines broker in South Africa by international research institution Finaccord. The business was also the proud winner of the South African Service Award for Financial Services (Insurance).