(losses/damages are not limited to bad winter weather)
During July and August, we tend to go on holiday. We tend to move around our lovely island, or travel away from it for some time, it is generally a period of upheaval regarding our “routine” – and, since the concept of the right insurance cover is to ensure our protection at all times, as consumers, we must be vigilant. We want to stay safe, we want our family, our home, our business to be safe – and, in terms of insurance, we want to know that we have the proper insurance protection during this disruption of our usual day-today-life.
Some advice from us –
- MOTOR INSURANCE
- Everyone is driving to the seaside. Roads are congested, daily accidents on highways delay your drive – be patient, be vigilant, traffic on the highways during the summer is known to be frustrating. Plan your trip in order to avoid jams, if you can, but during an event, be extra careful to not be a part of it in terms of getting involved in an accident.
- During summertime, our students abroad are on holiday in Cyprus. If you have a younger driver in your household, make sure they are covered whilst driving any of your vehicles. Most importantly, make sure they are good and sensible drivers, and ideally do not let them drive on the highways at peak areas when roads are congested. Have a pep talk with your young driver – about speed/ alcohol use/ proper lookout. It is a peril, most importantly for your young one’s safety, but also for your premium increase, that you take some precautionary measures.
- A heatwave affects everyone – we get tired, dizzy, frustrated and all kinds of adjectives when having to drive under direct sunlight. Take a break. Α couple of stops at airconditioned venues off-motorways might provide a much-needed restore of mental faculties, before you get into the car/ sunlight again.
- Heatwaves also affect vehicles, especially older ones. You might suffer a machinery breakdown while driving in very high temperatures, therefore make sure your cover provides road side assistance.
- If you are the sort of person that travels for camping, or tows their boat on board or in any event uses their vehicle for adventure endeavours (respect!), check your insurance policy and inform your providers in the event of customizing your vehicle for such trips.
- There is usually a limit for personal effects located in your vehicle. If you are going away to stay, and take your belongings with you, inform your insurers about the possible increased limit for personal effects for the particular period.
- Driving abroad – boarding your vehicle on a ship for an overseas trip to Peiraeus? Let your Insurers know.
- Planning to rent scooters, electric bicycles, buggies etc., while on holiday at the seaside? Your insurance company would not want to know about that, but it would be prudent to check whether, and to what extent you are protected financially, whilst using the rented equipment that we (and the law) do not define as a “motor vehicle”.
- HOME INSURANCE
- One of the most common perils during high temperatures is bush fire. If your home is located close to forests, or if for any reason in danger of catching fire from nearby premises that are prone to fire, make sure you have cover for bush fire in your policy – and always make sure of any limits to such cover, you might want to request an increase of the sum insured for a particular period.
- Many home insurance policies contain an “unoccupancy clause”. Check yours, and whether it applies to a specific number of days. If you are planning a trip away – you have to inform your insurers accordingly – any claim may be rejected, unless you secure cover for specific periods whilst your home is unoccupied.
- BURGLARY / THEFT: The most common peril when the homeowner is away on holiday. What do you have to do before leaving and actually enjoying your holiday without any worries:Is my fire alarm/ smoke detector on? Check! Is my security alarm on? Check! Does my Contents Sum Insured reflect the actual value of my contents? Do I have cover for Damage for Burglary/Attempted Burglary? Have I posted online about my upcoming holiday to the exotic island? If yes delete!- Post memories of your holiday when you return.
- You might be staying at home , but summer and high temperatures still pose perils if you are in your home, so: If you have a swimming pool, make sure it is well-maintained and secure for visitors and your family
- Pipes (and tanks/apparatus and the like tend to break during very low AND very high temperatures). Have your maintenance guy look into them- get a maintenance guy if you don’t have one, they are useful to have, especially if they can check your ventilation systems (AIR-CONDITION!) during this time. If you are planning on staying home and having guests around, ensure you have proper covers for third party liability.
- Climate Change means possible thunderstorms/ hailstorms or just some rain during the hot months. You should make sure your covers are in place for Natural Perils.
- BUSINESS INSURANCE
- Depending on the type of business under your control, there are perils that are more prone to become activated during the summer, especially during heatwaves. Some examples:
- If your business is a seaside restaurant, bar or other venue, make sure you place signs alerting clients to possible dangers of slipping onto wet floors. Visitors in beachwear might, by definition, create a peril, and it is the business responsibility to ensure safe premises for all. Check whether your Third Liability is in place.
- For restaurants- make sure your refrigerators are in good working order, your stock is safe and have a plan in place in the event of electricity failure (a possible side-effect of heatwaves, is electricity cut-outs due to malfunction or deliberate interruptions). Check your cover for refrigerated stock and Products Liability.
- If you are an employer with workers with duties in the open, take extra protection care in the event of alerts issued by the Meteorology Department or instructions by the Ministry of Labour. Ensure they have appropriate equipment, and comply with any order issued by the authorities. You would not want a claim against you for a heatstroke from your employee, and neither do your Insurers. This is most relevant for building / renovation contractors with a Contractors Risks Policy and compulsory Employers Liability Policy.
- PROPERTY INSURANCE
- All of the above apply for any type of Insurance!
To recap:
- If a business premise or house is closed, check alarms/ fire protection equipment/ security systems are in place and good working order
- For property outside, check that you have the proper cover – so that the business or house is protected in the event of a wet/natural peril
- Read your Policy – including Sums Insured/ Liability Limits/ Deductibles. Contact us – or your agent – for amendments/ clarifications/ any assistance.
