When we bought a gorgeous Labrador puppy for our son’s birthday I decided to take out pet insurance. Little did I realise that this was one of the best financial – and emotional – decisions I would ever make. Since we live in an area surrounded by...
This article was provided by hippo.co.za There are a number of factors to be taken in consideration with the start-up of any business, and inadequate planning may lead to your company’s demise. One thing your business insurance does not cover is...
South Africans need better access to good, unfettered financial advice. But who is going to pay for this? Recently I was reminded of a story of a man I had once interviewed. Twelve years ago he was severely injured in a work accident and as a...
Instead of overwhelming yourself with resolutions in the New Year and then falling off the bandwagon too early, let 2014 be the year in which they stick. Andrew Edwards, Executive Principal Officer of Liberty Medical Scheme and fitness expert, Lisa...
Insurers are becoming more enthusiastic about suing uninsured drivers to recover costs. If you are uninsured and crash into another vehicle causing damage amounting to thousands of rands, you are liable for those repairs. Even if the other driver...
With the price of petrol having reached record levels recently, carpooling is something you could consider as a means to cut your travel costs. However, if you do decide to carpool, you need to inform your insurer or broker immediately and find out...
“I feel that I am paying too much for the theft cover portion of my household insurance, as the insurance company values all my contents even though it would be difficult to steal all of it. In most break-ins the robbers just take things that are...
Women have a responsibility to themselves and their family to remain involved in the family’s finances. A recent conversation between friends highlights so clearly the need for married women to get good financial advice. The discussion was about...
When moving in together, your household insurance policy may be the last thing on your mind – until you need to claim. In this day and age, it is quite common for couples to choose to live together either before or as an alternative to marriage....
There's a new car insurance product available which could offer a good solution for those who think they can’t afford to insure their vehicles. Soaring petrol and maintenance costs may drive you to reconsider taking out comprehensive car insurance...
“Can I have more than one life insurance policy?” asks Susan Maya replies: Although technically you could have more than one policy, you need to be careful that you are not “over-insured” as you may not receive the full pay-out that you have been contributing towards....
There are ways to cut your insurance premiums as a young driver. Taking out motor insurance as a young driver can be very expensive, often making car ownership unaffordable. There are ways, however, to lower your risk and therefore your premiums. Gari Dombo, managing...
New regulations may find your electric fence on the wrong side of the law. In a society where homes need maximum protection from criminals, it is easy to understand why you might choose to use electric fencing to protect your family and your property. However, if you...
Make sure you read your investment contract to ensure it’s what you signed up for. Do you know how much you are paying for your investment policy? Could you state exactly how much of your monthly contribution is paid in commission or product fees? The truth is few...
When it comes to motor insurance, you and your insurer each have certain obligations that you have to meet in order to render the insurance contract valid. As a policyholder, if you don’t hold up your end of the contract, you could find yourself without cover at a...
The sharp decline in the Rand against many major currencies, paired with the frequency of severe claims over the past year, is expected to have a significant impact on the personal lines short-term insurance industry, resulting in increased insurance premiums. This is...
If the abuse of hospital cash plans continues to escalate, life insurers may be forced to implement tough measures to ensure the financial viability of these products, warns Peter Dempsey, deputy CEO of the Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA)....
What most 40 year-olds discover is that the choices they made ten years ago are now limiting their options when it comes to retirement, risk and medical cover. When you are in your 20s, it is hard to imagine what it would be like to be 60 years old; it is...
Many medical schemes and life insurance companies offer wellness incentive programmes to their clients. Considering the monthly membership fee is usually less than R200 a month per family, it is insignificant compared to the value of the discounts offered. It is clear...
It is important to find a balance between insuring for the unexpected and paying off your debts. Make sure you are not overinsured at the expense of your savings The average government employee spends around eight percent of their salary on funeral, life and savings...