As the year draws to a close, South Africans across the country are gearing up for long-awaited holidays – a time for sunshine, braais, and well-earned rest. But before you pack your bags and switch on “out of office,” it’s essential to ensure that your home, car, and travel plans are protected.
The festive season, while joyful, is also one of the riskiest times of the year for theft, accidents, and unexpected losses. With increased travel, empty homes, and busy roads, your personal risks multiply, and that’s where Leigh Insurance steps in.
This is your ultimate guide to getting holiday-ready, ensuring that everything important to you is covered, protected, and prepared for the season ahead.
1. Protect Your Home Before You Travel
Your home is your sanctuary, and whether you’re staying put or heading away, it deserves protection.
Check Your Homeowners and Household Contents Cover
Start by reviewing your Homeowners (Building) and Household Contents insurance policies. These two work hand in hand to protect both the physical structure of your home and everything inside it.
Ask yourself:
- Have you updated your policy to reflect any new purchases, renovations, or security upgrades?
- Are your insured values accurate and aligned with current replacement costs?
- Are there any excesses or exclusions that could surprise you at claim time?
Leigh Insurance helps clients review these details easily, providing transparent, simple explanations to safeguard against underinsurance.
Secure Your Property Before You Leave
Even with the right insurance, prevention remains key.
Before travelling, make sure to:
- Test your alarm system.
- Ask a trusted neighbour or friend to collect your mail and keep an eye on your property.
- Install timers for lights to create the impression that someone is home.
- Double-check doors, gates, and windows are secure.
Pro Tip: Many claims during the festive season result from minor oversights – a gate left open or alarms not activated. Insurers may even reject claims if required security systems weren’t used properly.
At Leigh Insurance, we educate clients on the fine print because we believe informed clients are confident clients.
2. Prepare Your Vehicle for the Road
South Africa’s roads become busier in November and December, with thousands of families travelling to coastal destinations or visiting loved ones inland.
Ensure Your Vehicle Insurance is Up to Date
Before you hit the road, confirm:
- Your comprehensive motor policy is current.
- You’re covered for accidental damage, theft, and third-party liability.
- Any additional drivers are noted on the policy.
- You’ve added car hire cover if you’ll need a temporary vehicle after an incident.
Leigh Insurance offers flexible policies designed around your driving habits. Whether you’re covering a family SUV or a fleet of company vehicles, our aim is to ensure uninterrupted protection and hassle-free claims.
Perform a Pre-Trip Safety Check
Your car is your travel companion. Make sure it’s road-ready:
- Test brakes, tyres, and wipers.
- Check your oil, coolant, and spare wheel.
- Keep your insurance and roadside assistance numbers handy.
- Avoid driving at night if possible.
Remember: Having insurance doesn’t replace responsibility. But when something does go wrong, Leigh Insurance helps to ensure that your claims process is smooth, fair, and personal.
3. Safeguard Your Travel Plans
Whether you’re flying to Europe or driving to Cape Town, travel insurance is recommended.
What Travel Insurance Covers
A quality policy can cover:
- Trip cancellations or delays
- Medical emergencies abroad
- Lost or stolen luggage
- Personal liability
- Emergency evacuation and repatriation
Leigh Insurance partners with trusted underwriters to provide comprehensive, affordable travel cover, tailored to your trip type and duration.
Medical Cover While Abroad
Don’t assume your medical aid covers you internationally. In most cases, it doesn’t. Travel insurance bridges this gap, ensuring you can access quality care if you fall ill overseas.
4. Protect Your Business, Even While You’re Away
If you own a business, make sure it remains protected during your downtime. Commercial insurance from Leigh Insurance covers property, stock, vehicles, and liability, ensuring operations can resume smoothly in January.
5. Final Holiday Insurance Checklist
- Review your home and contents insurance
- Test security systems
- Update your vehicle policy and perform safety checks
- Purchase travel insurance
- Back up important documents
- Save emergency contact numbers
Confidence for the Holidays
Peace of mind starts with preparation. Leigh Insurance helps individuals and families enjoy the festive season knowing their risks are covered and their assets are protected.
Before you hit the road, contact Leigh Insurance for a quick holiday readiness review and travel into the season with total peace of mind.
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