Pretoria - The cost of the damage to property as a result of the recent heavy rains should be covered by one's insurer, an insurance company said Tuesday.
Alexander Forbes Insurance Managing Director, Gari Gombo, said: "Most standard policies should cover damage caused by storm, flood, wind, water hail or snow as well as the cost of consequent rain damage to your home's interior or its contents."
Dombo said the scale of recent flooding has made claim processing swiftly impossible and appealed to home owners to be patient as well as to cooperate with insurers.
The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs reported that the floods have so far caused damage estimated at R356 million throughout South Africa with a total of 70 people killed as a result. A total of 8 400 people have been displaced nationally.
The company reminded homeowners that insurance will protect them against sudden and unforeseen losses. "Insurance does not, however, cover damage resulting from a failure of routine maintenance. If homeowners fail to conduct reasonable maintenance, a loss may not be considered unexpected, and in some cases insurers may reject the claim outright," warned Dombo.
Checking gutters and roof flashing for blockages as well as the inspection of screws on asbestos type and iron roofs regularly will help homeowners from having their weather-related claims rejected.
Homeowners should also be on the lookout for dampness and those with thatched roofs should also be maintained.
