Playing it safe in a storm

The world’s weather patterns are changing. According to the National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA) models, 2016 is on course to be the hottest year on record and locally, South Africa experienced its driest year in 2015 since records began. In January this year, a severe hailstorm hit Johannesburg South causing the roof of a shopping mall collapse. More recently, on 20 October, Bloemfontein was also severely affected by a hailstorm that did extensive damage to both properties and vehicles. While these freak storms are not an everyday occurrence, damage caused by hailstorms and severe weather tends to increase around the summer season. However, you can protect yourself from the worst effects of these storms.

Mutual & Federal offers customers a free SMS weather alert service, which will warn you about impending weather conditions, so that you can take the necessary precautions. To sign up, you can call 0860 22 55 63 or email [email protected]. 

Michelle van Staden, Head of Claims at Mutual & Federal, shares some useful tips on how to play it safe in a storm and minimise the damage to your home and your car: 

• Avoid driving in hailstorms: If you are caught in a hailstorm, pull into an undercover parking lot as soon as possible to limit the amount of hailstorm exposure to your vehicle.  Take note of the storm warnings that are sent by insurers –don’t drive if possible when there is a threat of hail. 

• Keep a safe following distance: Rainy and wet conditions usually result in a deterioration of the condition of the roads we use. Particularly in wet weather, make sure you increase your following distance to more than the prescribed equivalent length of three cars, while decreasing your speed. 

• Keep your headlights on to increase your visibility and the visibility of your car to other drivers. If necessary use your hazard lights to warn cars behind you should you need to stop suddenly. 

• Gutter and roof maintenance: As a policyholder, you have a responsibility to maintain your home to prevent unnecessary damage.  A great time to check your roof for leaks or damages and carry out any required repairs is during the dry winter months. 

• You should regularly clear your gutters of leaves, twigs and other debris. Heavy rains and an overflowing gutter can lead to a leaky roof. Check the downpipes too and make sure the rain has somewhere to drain. Large pools of water gathering at ground level can cause rising damp or even damage the foundations of your home. 

•  Surge damage: A common weather-related insurance issue, which Mutual & Federal often sees through its claim process, is the damage to electronic devices through lightning damage. As soon as a storm starts or if you have received a weather warning, unplug as many electronic devices as possible. This includes your Wi-Fi router, cellphone chargers, television sets and computers. 

• During a hailstorm: Stay inside the building or seek shelter if you are outside. If you are driving, pull over and seek shelter, preferably under a concrete shelter or even in a garage forecourt, and wait out the storm. Avoid seeking shelter under a tree as tree limbs could fall on your car, causing serious damage and possible injury to you (not to mention lightning strike on the tree). 

• After the hailstorm: if you do suffer damage you should contact your broker or the Mutual & Federal call centre on 0860 22 55 63.

 Mutual & Federal has assessment centres throughout the country to facilitate walk-in clients who may need assistance during the rainy season.