Page 44 - Claims Binders Mandates and Guidelines

Non-motor Claims Procedures
7. MOISTURE CONTROL
7.1 Where there has been extensive water damage due to an insured peril, and the damage appears to be mainly water damage (for example, no additional excess rubble, mud, etc.), then moisture control becomes a viable remedy option for the situation.
7.2 With moisture control one is able to dry out the interiors of the buildings and save furniture, electric and electronic equipment, stop capillary water into walls, save carpets, and reduce refurbishment costs.
7.3 When is this an option?
7.3.1 Heavy rainstorms causing flooding
7.3.2 Hailstorms that create flooding
7.3.3 Burst geysers
7.3.4 Water damage in fire claims
7.3.5 Burst pipes (where this is covered).
7.4 Moisture control is affected by the use of dehumidifiers, and in the process, it prevents rot (dry as well as wet) from setting in, as well as rust and corrosion. There have been examples of parquet flooring being salvaged due to this process. Surplus water is removed, general clean-up measures are taken and then the dehumidifiers are set to work. What makes this process attractive is that normal life can continue while the drying out takes place.
7.5 Other benefits of this process are:
7.5.1 faster
7.5.2 cost effective
7.5.3 less damaging
7.5.4 less disruptive as there is no use of heat.
8. GEYSER CLAIMS
There has been a fair amount of discussion relating to geysers, how a claim might occur, when cover is valid or not, etc.
8.1 Insurance policy wordings usually provide cover for geysers.
8.1.1 Loss or damage to geysers by an insured peril provided that:
8.1.1.1 the insurer’s liability in terms of this loss be limited to policy specification
8.1.1.2 where applicable, an excess is applied, as specified.
8.2 At all times remember:
8.2.1 bursting, overflowing or escape of water or oil from fixed tanks, geyser apparatus or pipes including the bursting of pipes inside the house due to severe cold or as a result of unusually high pressure but excluding bursting of pipes due to corrosion. Many policies exclude pipes in total.
8.2.2 corrosion: a chemical act or process that eats away by degrees, especially rust. This can also include the action that lime, or any other substance may have on the pipes.
8.2.3 the policy exceptions apply to all sections of the policy and must be taken into consideration when dealing with a claim.
8.2.4 all contractors’ quotations/invoices must indicate the geyser make, size, and serial numbers.
8.3 Geyser warranties: Each geyser has a warranty tag fitted to it, and where the warranty is still valid, the geyser claim should be redirected to the manufacturer of the original geyser and not to the scheme.
8.4 We would insist that the plumber attach the warranty tag to the invoice to ensure that he does not receive double payment for a claim, for example, both from ourselves and the manufacturer in terms of a warranty claim.
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Claims Binder Holders Mandates and Guidelines – V6: 2022