PROJECT: INSURANCE READINESS AND CLAIM COMPLIANCE DURING THE 2025 FESTIVE SEASON

Isabel Spies
Dec 17
5 min read

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The Festive Season is one of the highest-risk periods for opportunistic criminality in South Africa.

Extended holidays, vacant homes, increased travel, and reduced neighbourhood vigilance create an ideal environment

for burglaries, vandalism, vehicle theft, and fraudulent activity.

Specialist Security Services warns that, in addition to implementing stringent safety precautions,

citizens must ensure full insurance compliance. A substantial number of policyholders are unaware that failure

to adhere to specific policy conditions frequently results in rejected or reduced claims.

Proper preparation is therefore a critical crime-prevention and financial-protection measure.

To ensure that your insurance claim is paid in the event of a crime, the following provisions must be in place before departure:

1. VERIFY AND UPDATE ALL INSURANCE POLICIES AND SCHEDULES:

Confirm that the insured items, replacement values, serial numbers, and risk addresses are current and correct.
Many claims fail because assets were underinsured, incorrectly listed, or moved without notification to the insurer.
Updated inventories and photographic records of valuables are essential.

2. COMPLY WITH ALL SECURITY REQUIREMENTS AND WARRANTIES:

Most household insurance policies stipulate minimum-security measures, including operational alarm systems, burglar bars, security gates, perimeter protection, CCTV, or armed response.
Non-compliance, even unintentional, can invalidate a claim.
SSS advises homeowners to test alarms, ensure backup batteries are functional, confirm armed-response links, and verify that all entry points meet the insurer’s security specifications.

3. ENSURE THAT YOUR PROPERTY IS NOT LEFT OBVIOUSLY UNOCCUPIED:

Policies often require “reasonable care” to prevent loss.
If a property appears abandoned, insurers may argue negligence.
Arrange for someone to check the house regularly, clear the post, rotate lights, and maintain basic visibility.
Many insurers require documented evidence of these checks during extended holidays.

4. ACTIVATE ALL SECURITY LAYERS BEFORE LEAVING:

Insurers often assess whether the homeowner took all reasonable precautions.
All doors, windows, gates, alarms, and electric fencing must be fully secured.
Failure to activate an alarm or lock a security gate is one of the most common reasons for claim repudiation.

5. INFORM YOUR INSURER OF EXTENDED ABSENCES IF REQUIRED:

Some policies classify absences longer than a specified number of days (usually 30 but sometimes 14) as a “material change in risk”.
If you exceed this period without notifying your insurer, a burglary claim may be rejected.
Always confirm the required reporting window.

6. ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH VEHICLE-INSURANCE OBLIGATIONS WHILE TRAVELLING:

If you are travelling by car, ensure the vehicle’s tracking unit is active, service schedules are up to date, and the vehicle is parked in secure designated areas.
If the vehicle is left at home, the storage location must comply with the insurer’s risk profile.

7. PROTECT DIGITAL SECURITY AND AVOID REVEALING TRAVEL PLANS ONLINE:

Digital exposure forms part of the risk-assessment process.
Publicly announcing travel dates on social media can be viewed as negligence and may complicate claim outcomes.
SSS continually warns that criminals monitor digital platforms for vacant-home opportunities.

8. KEEP PROOF OF OWNERSHIP AND CONDITION FOR ALL INSURED ASSETS:

Detailed inventories, purchase receipts, appraisals, photographs, and serial numbers significantly accelerate the claims process and reduce disputes regarding the value or existence of items.
Without documentation, insurers may reduce payout values or exclude items entirely.

9. ENSURE THAT THE DOMESTIC WORKERS OR HOUSE SITTERS ARE VETTED AND TRUSTWORTHY:

If someone will be occupying or accessing the home, ensure that they have been properly vetted.
Claims arising from inside jobs or negligence by an informal house-sitter often face challenges.
SSS strongly advises using reliable, vetted individuals or reputable agencies.

10. UNDERSTAND THE REPORTING OBLIGATIONS AFTER A CRIME:

Insurers require immediate reporting to the SAPS and timely submission of all documentation, including case numbers, sworn statements, and CCTV footage.
Delayed reporting can be interpreted as non-compliance.
SSS reminds citizens to save emergency contacts and ensure that all adults in the household understand these procedures.

The Festive Season requires heightened vigilance and strict adherence to all security and insurance protocols.

Specialist Security Services emphasises that proper preparation is not only a protective measure but also a critical financial safeguard. Compliance ensures that, should a criminal incident occur, policyholders are not victimised twice—first by the criminal and then by claim repudiation. SSS continues its dedicated mission to inform, forewarn, and empower the public through proactive crime-prevention education.

Specialised Security Services invites the public to the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Channel.

This channel is important in delivering insights into the latest crime trends, awareness, warnings and the exposure of criminals.

How to Join the WhatsApp Channel:

1. Make sure you have the latest version of WhatsApp on your device.

2. Click on the link below to join the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Channel:

- https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VarjftF8PgsI4pODE929

3. Follow the prompts to join the channel.

4. Make sure you click on "Follow", then click on the "bell"-icon (🔔)

CONTACT MR MIKE BOLHUIS FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY MEASURES, PROTECTION, OR AN INVESTIGATION IF NEEDED.

ALL INFORMATION RECEIVED WILL BE TREATED IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENTIALITY AND EVERY IDENTITY WILL BE PROTECTED.

Regards,

Mike Bolhuis

Specialist Investigators into

Serious Violent, Serious Economic Crimes & Serious Cybercrimes

PSIRA Reg. 1590364/421949

Mobile: +27 82 447 6116

E-mail: mike@mikebolhuis.co.za

Fax: 086 585 4924

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EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: All potential clients need to be aware that owing to the nature of our work as specialist investigators there are people who have been caught on the wrong side of the law - who are trying to discredit me - Mike Bolhuis and my organisation Specialised Security Services - to get themselves off the hook. This retaliation happens on social media and creates doubt about our integrity and ability. Doubt created on social media platforms is both unwarranted and untrue. We strongly recommend that you make up your minds concerning me and our organisation only after considering all the factual information - to the exclusion of hearsay and assumptions. Furthermore, you are welcome to address your concerns directly with me should you still be unsatisfied with your conclusions. While the internet provides a lot of valuable information, it is also a platform that distributes a lot of false information. The distribution of false information, fake news, slander and hate speech constitutes a crime that can be prosecuted by law. Your own research discretion and discernment are imperative when choosing what and what not to believe.

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