Bly weg uit die kake van onderversekering
Dit kan verpletterend wees om uit te vind dat jou versekeringsuitbetaling minder is as wat jy nodig het en dat jy dus nie ná ’n voorval na normaal terug kan keer nie. Dít is veral belangrik vir diegene wat kommersiële bedrywighede bestuur, waar onderversekering ’n ingrypende impak op bedrywighede kan hê en ’n bykomende kapitaalinspuiting kan noodsaak benodig gaan word om kop bo water te hou. Volgens ’n verslag deur ’n toonaangewende bank is ’n verstommende 79,4% van Suid-Afrikaners onderverseker. Uiteindelik is dit jóú verantwoordelikheid om hierdie risiko te bestuur. Deur met jou makelaar saam te werk, kan jy die slaggate van sowel persoonlike as kommersiële onderversekering vermy.
Die goue reël van versekering
Om weg te bly uit die kake van onderversekering, sorg dat jou belangrikste bates en eiendomme teen hulle huidige vervangingswaardes gedek is. Sodoende sal jy gesteelde of beskadigde items kan vervang. Dit is ewe belangrik om jou vervangingswaardes jaarliks aan te pas om voorsiening te maak vir inflasie, wat met 6–7% per jaar kan styg. As jy dit nié doen nie, kan onvoldoende uitbetalings jou behoorlik platsak laat.
Algemene slaggate
Onderversekering kom veral voor met bates soos geboue, masjinerie en voertuie. ’n Groot rede vir onderversekering is die skerp styging in die vervangingskoste van landboutoerusting en -bates as gevolg van vooruitgang in tegnologie en funksionaliteit. Produsente onderskat dikwels wat dit sal kos om ouer toerusting ná ’n verlies te vervang. ’n Verdere algemene slaggat is die geneigdheid om in moeilike finansiële tye dekking te verlaag, terwyl dit ’n veel doeltreffender risikobestuurstrategie sou wees om eerder hoër bybetalings te kies.
Hoe onderversekering bereken word
`n Eisuitbetaling word as volg bereken:
Eisbedrag x versekerde bedrag / vervangingswaarde = eisuitbetaling
Gestel byvoorbeeld jy verloor R100 000 se goedere in ’n inbraak. Nietemin bevind die assessor dat jou inhoud onderverseker is. Jy het R390 000 se dekking, en die werklike vervangingswaarde is R600 000. Op grond van die formule hier bo sal jy ’n skrale R65 000 ontvang, wat jou met ’n tekort van R35 000 laat. Die korrekte versekeringsdekking sou jou waarskynlik veel minder gekos het.
Die rol van jou makelaar
Die kompleksiteite van die versekeringsbedryf kan oorweldigend wees, veral vir kommersiële ondernemings. Dít is waar makelaars so belangrik is. Jou makelaar verstaan die spesifieke risiko’s van jou onderneming en het die kundigheid om jou pasgemaakte verskeringsoplossings te bied om daardie risiko’s te beperk. Om met ’n makelaar saam te werk sal jou tyd, geld en moeite spaar, jou onderneming beskerm én in bedryf hou.
Vir vrae oor onderversekering of enige ander versekeringskwessies, kontak Kallie Cilliers by kallie@integrisure.co.za of 082 467 1776. IntegriSure is ‘n gemagtigde verskaffer van finansiële dienste.
Beware the bite of underinsurance
Finding out that your insurance settlement falls short of what you need to return to normal after an incident can be devastating. This is especially critical for those managing commercial operations, where underinsurance can severely affect operations and necessitate an additional capital injection to stay afloat. According to a report by a leading bank, a staggering 79,4% of South Africans are underinsured. Ultimately, the responsibility to manage this risk rests with you. By working closely with your broker, you can avoid the pitfalls of both personal and commercial underinsurance.
The golden rule of insurance
To avoid the financial bite of underinsurance, ensure that your key assets and properties are covered at their current replacement values. In this way, you will be able to replace stolen or damaged items. It is equally important to adjust your replacement values annually to account for inflation, which can rise by 6–7% yearly. Failing to do so may result in inadequate settlements that can leave you seriously out of pocket.
Common pitfalls
Underinsurance is most prevalent with assets such as buildings, machinery and vehicles. A major factor driving underinsurance is the sharp rise in replacement costs for agri-equipment and assets due to advancements in technology and functionality. Farmers often underestimate what it would cost to replace older equipment after a loss. Another common pitfall is reducing cover during tough financial times, while a far more effective risk management strategy would be to opt for higher excesses.
How underinsurance is calculated
A claim settlement is calculated as follows:
Claim amount x insured amount / replacement value = claim settlement
Say, for instance, a burglary results in a loss of R100 000 worth of goods. However, the assessor finds that your contents are underinsured. You have R390 000 in cover, while the actual replacement value is R600 000. Using the formula above, your settlement would be only R65 000, leaving you with a R35 000 shortfall. The correct insurance cover would likely have cost you much less.
The role of your broker
Navigating the complexities of the insurance industry can be overwhelming, especially for commercial enterprises. This is where brokers are key. Your broker understands the specific risks facing your business and has the expertise to tailor insurance solutions that mitigate those risks. Partnering with a broker will save you time, money and effort, and will keep your business protected and operational.
For questions about underinsurance or any other insurance matters, contact Kallie Cilliers at kallie@integrisure.co.za or 082 467 1776. IntegriSure is an authorised financial services provider.