Are you insured against Jamming?

Little did Bob Marley know more than 50 years ago when he sang ‘I’m Jammin,’ with its catchy reggae beat, that Jammin’ would become the latest modus operandi for criminals. Jamming is the nefarious activity of intercepting the remote lock signal while mot

This doesn’t mean ‘Smash and Grab’ has gone out of fashion….this less subtle way of relieving you of your possessions is still very much a danger to motorists.

What cover do you enjoy under your Personal Policy for these losses?

It is under Personal All Risks Section with two sub sections:

Unspecified: Normally your policy will have a standard sum insured with a % limit per item linked to the sum insured: For example: The Sum Insured will be R 10000 with 20% limit per item but maximum of R 10000 per incident

Specified: The replacement value of the item that you specify

Jamming

Bertus Oosthuizen of PSG Konsult Corporate (PSGKC) says there are three ways of ‘Jamming.’

· Intercepting the signal to your vehicle with a Jamming Device. The result is that your vehicle is not locked although you are under the impression it is.

· Intercepting the signal and storing the code on the Jamming Device. This means your vehicle is locked but the signal information is on the Jamming Device which can activate the opening and closing system of your vehicle.

· Intercepting the signal while locking your vehicle but the Jamming Device jams the entire electronic system of your vehicle which means you cannot activate your vehicle at all.

So, are you insured against Jamming?

Oosthuizen says, “In all three scenarios there is no sign of forced entry or exit so it doesn’t come under the definition of ‘burglary.’ You will enjoy cover if the extension of your policy reads ‘theft’ from unattended vehicle rather than burglary.” He explains, “Burglary must be accompanied by signs of violent, forced entry or exit. As we know jamming is discreet and involves no forced entry.”

Car jamming scams have resulted in an increase in the number of fraudulent claims being made to insurance companies which is why the ombudsman for short-term insurance has ruled that if clients were to suffer any loss due to the remote jamming scam, their claims would be rejected because the onus is on them to check whether their cars were locked before walking away.

The ombudsman stated that ‘motorists should not assume that their cars were locked merely because they pushed a button.’

To prevent this fraud some insurers insist that in order to be paid out, there must CCTV camera footage, an independent third party must have witnessed the theft and if any of the items stolen in the car were found in someone else’s possession.

However, Oosthuizen says both Santam and Motor Underwriting Agency have changed their policies recently – from ‘burglary’ to ‘theft’ - as a result of jamming so that members will be paid out in the event of jamming. It appears that Discovery however, does not. Even though, ‘theft’ is listed in the policy document, there must be ‘forceable or violent entry or exit’ – which obviously doesn’t cover jamming. Some short term insurers still require CCTV camera footage or witnessing of the incident by an independent third party or if any of the items stolen in the car are found in someone else’s possession.

The terms and conditions may be strict but it is the only way to deter people from being careless and make them more cautious. And of course reduce fraudulent claims.

How can you limit your exposure to the “Jamming” risk?

· Oosthuizen says the most important things is to stand close to your vehicle minimising the space between you and the electronic locking system.

· Don’t walk off only remembering to lock the car when you are already across the road.

· Try to park in secure areas and be aware of suspicious surroundings and persons

· Make sure you are insured for theft and not just burglary – which does not include goods lost through jamming.

Smash and Grab

There are less subtle ways of relieving you of your valuables and ‘Smash and Grab’ is often the method of choice. This will almost always occur while someone is inside the vehicle.

Oosthuizen says, “You will enjoy cover under the abovementioned two sections and these sections are normally standard with all personal policies but always limited to the Sum Insured and to the limits per item.”

What do they use to smash the windows ......The front section of a “Spark Plug” is the most common tool. You can claim under the ‘Glass Cover’ in the Motor Section of your policy if your window is smashed during a smash and grab incident.

Protection against these activities:

· Vehicle windows can be protected by safety coating which is approved by most vehicle manufactures if installed by recognised glass manufacturer

· Do not leave handbags and laptops on the seats of your vehicle

· Be aware of activities at stop streets and robots

“It is important to establish beforehand exactly what the policy wording is,” says Oosthuizen, “all short term insurers have their own rules and regulations and abide really strictly to these. Read the small print and make sure you are covered!!”