Is Your Short-Term Insurer “Assisting” You?

As part of our insurance policies, many of us are paying for customer loyalty benefits which we do not use, simply because we do not take the time to familiarise ourselves with the benefits we are entitled to.

On your journey to achieving financial freedom, you need to make sensible investments and save up enough cash and other assets to afford you the lifestyle you want for you and your family.

Assist benefits are additional benefits offered to you by your short-term insurer when you take out a short-term insurance policy.  The cost of these benefits is already included in your insurance product and does not cost you anything extra!

By utilizing the benefits offered by your Insurer’s assistance programme, you will save money without having to cut back on your current lifestyle.

How does it work? 

Speak to your Financial Advisor and request a copy of the assist benefits indicated on your short-term insurance policy.

The benefits are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and they are included to help you in the event of a home, medical or roadside emergency.

The benefits may vary from insurer and from one assist program to the next, but below is a list of some of the benefits normally offered by assistance programmes:

1. Roadside assistance:

Services offered include jump-starting of a flat battery, inflating of a flat tyre or tyre change with your own spare wheel.

Delivery of an emergency supply of fuel:

This service varies from delivery of fuel to the value of R25,00 to fuel for your own account.

Mechanical or electrical breakdown towing service:

If your vehicle has broken down, some of the programmes offer free limited towing for electric and mechanical breakdown, subject to terms and conditions.

Locksmith services:

Free call out fee and first hour labour for a locksmith where car keys are broken or locked inside your vehicle.

2. Home Assist:

Household assist removes the headaches from home related emergencies and normally covers the cost of the service provider’s call out fee and the first hour of labour.

Household assist benefit include services provided by:

• Electricians

An electrician is a tradesman specialising in the wiring and repairing of electrical power in our homes.

They provide repairs when you have electrical tripping or electrical faults.

• Glaziers

A tradesman who provides cutting, installing, taking out and removing of glass services, is called a glazier.  In the event of a broken or cracked window, you may request glazier services.

• Plumbers

Plumbers are responsible for the installation and repair of water pipes to and from your home.  In the event of a home emergency, they will assist with geyser repairs, replacing geyser components, blocked drain cleaning and burst pipes.

• Locksmiths

A locksmith specializes in various locks.  They install new locks, fix locks, replace locks, and cuts all types of keys.  A locksmith will be able to assist when you locked yourself out of your house.

3. Safe and sound

The home drive service is provided to get you home safely if you are not feeling well or have been drinking.  The service also varies and is normally limited to 4 home drives per annum.

4. Other services offered

Some of the assist programmes also offer benefits like crime assist, legal assist, smartphone and trauma assist at an additional premium.

It is important to read the wording and terms and conditions of the assist benefits as certain of the services might have co-payments and annual limits.

To claim for any of the benefits provided by your assistance provider, call the number indicated for your assist benefits on your policy schedule and have your policy number and identity number handy for verification purposes.

Remember:  The best way to save money, is to not waste money.

Read also:

• Banking in 2021 and Beyond
• The ABC of Tax on Retirement Products