Page 42 - Claims Binders Mandates and Guidelines

Non-motor Claims Procedures
fact that the claimant’s negligence caused the fire will not exempt the insurer from liability. Similarly, the claimant may recover where the fire is caused by the willful act of a third party without his knowledge or consent. But the claimant will not be able to recover where the loss is caused by his own willful act or that of someone acting with his knowledge or consent. The onus will be on the insurer to prove the claimant committed arson. Damage by water used to extinguish the fire or to prevent it from spreading will be covered. So will damage caused by an explosion caused by fire. Loss by theft during the fire will be covered. So will expenses incurred in the reasonable removal of property to save it from the fire.
6.3 Lightning/thunderbolt
Visible electric discharge between clouds or clouds and ground causing damage to the claimant's property. The electric flash is usually followed by thunder.
Damage as a result of a power surge from the power supplier is not insured. (It presents itself in a similar manner as lightning.)
6.4 Explosion
Damage caused to a claimant's property due to sudden expansion of gas, gunpowder, bomb, boiler, etc. with loud noise owing to release of internal energy (with very violent shattering effect); sudden violent burst with a loud report, an outburst. Loss or damage by explosion of gas for domestic purposes in a building is deemed to be loss by fire.
6.5 Subterranean fire
Damage caused to claimant's property by fire existing, occurring, or under the earth’s surface, underground. There was a very good example of this in the Witbank area some years ago when one of the underground coal mines caught alight. This will be covered as long as the policy does not exclude damage as a result of mining operations.
6.6 Earthquake
Damage caused to claimant's property by the convulsion of the earth’s surface due to faults or volcanic action, a heaving of the ground, or a shaking of the earth. Most policies exclude damage due to mining operations or have other limitations relating to mining operations.
6.7 Storm
Damage caused to claimant's property by violent disturbance of the atmosphere with thunder, strong wind, or heavy rain or snow or hail, a tempest, a wind just short of a hurricane; any intense meteorological phenomenon, a fall of snow, long frost.
6.8 Wind
Air in more or less rapid natural motion, breeze or gale causing damage to the claimant's property; a current of air usually horizontal, either natural or produced by artificial means; air in motion.
6.9 Flood
Damage to claimant's property as a result of the inflow of tide, river, stream, sea. Eruption of water over land, inundation, the outpouring of water, torrent downpour, water in great quantities; a great flow of water, deluge, a condition of abnormal flow of water.
6.10 Water
Damage caused by water in its liquid form. (Mildew, damp, wet or dry rot, or any gradually operating cause are not covered by this peril.)
6.11 Hail
Damage to claimant's property as a result of pellets of frozen rain falling during a shower or hailstorm.
6.12 Snow
Snow means atmospheric vapor frozen into ice crystals and falling to earth in light white flakes or spread on it as a white layer after falling. Snowstorm, heavy fall of snow especially with wind. The policy would cover damage as a result of snow or the melting of the snow.
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Claims Binder Holders Mandates and Guidelines – V6: 2022