Is your policy ready for the holidays?

It’s nearly December! Soon, you’ll be able to relax and spend time with family and friends. While you’re getting yourself and your loved ones ready for the holidays, don’t forget about your insurance policies. They need to be holiday-ready too! Our quick and easy checklist shows you how to ensure your policies are fit for the holiday season, including what to do if you are struggling to pay premiums! Complete these checks so your policies can be there for you if you need them.

1. Review and update your 1Life Insurance policy

This is a quick review of the most important details on your 1Life Insurance funeral and/or life cover policy. You can find these details on your policy schedule, which you can access on our online policyholder services portal or WhatsApp service centre. Check the following and update if necessary:

• Sum assured: Check that this is enough for your family’s needs.
• ID numbers, contact numbers, and emails: Make sure that names and ID numbers for the life assured, members, and any beneficiaries are correct, as well as their contact details.
• Bank account details: These must be for your current bank account.

Top tip: To ensure you are always covered, you need to tell 1Life Insurance if you are going to be out of the country for more than two consecutive weeks, have taken up smoking, started a hazardous pursuit such as bungee jumping, or started a new job. Contact one of our skilled 1Life Insurance consultants today if any of these apply to you!

2. Review and update your short-term insurance policies

Your car and household insurance, as well as any business insurance policies, also need a quick review to make sure any accidents, thefts, or damage would be covered! Check these details on your policy, which you can find in your policy documents or on your insurers’ secure online service centres. You can also call them using the numbers on their website.

• Items and sums insured: For your car, home, household contents, and personal items such as laptops and cell phones.
• Travel insurance: Check that any items you travel with are covered (phones and laptops) and if you need additional insurance if you are holidaying outside SA.
• Contact and bank details: Make sure your insurer has your correct cell numbers and email address, and that your bank details are correct.

3. Make sure you and your beneficiaries know how to claim

If something happens, you and your beneficiaries need to know how to claim!

• Let your family and/or beneficiaries know what policies you have: They need to know what the policy covers, the policy number, and how to submit a claim.
• Check your insurer’s website and make a note of: Claims contact details, including the website address, email address, and contact numbers.
• Note down any emergency assistance numbers: Your short-term insurance policy may offer roadside or emergency assistance.

Top tip: Draft or update your will and let your family know where it is kept. Truth About Money, a 1Life Insurance initiative, offers a free wills and estate benefit for you and your spouse. Apply today!

4. Don’t let policies lapse – and what to do if you can’t afford your premiums!

Some tough talk before you head out: If your premiums are not paid, your cover will be suspended, and claims may be delayed or declined!

• Check your bank account balance and make sure there is enough to cover your debit orders on their due date.
• Chat to your financial adviser or a skilled 1Life Insurance consultant if you are struggling to afford your premiums on your 1Life policy, or your short-term insurer on your short-term cover.
• Consider early payment of your January premiums! Our 1Life Insurance consultants on 0860 10 51 94 can help with this.
• Take action if debit orders bounce or premiums are unpaid.

If your 1Life Insurance debit order bounces

Make up the premium as soon as you can! There is a grace period of 31 days during which time you can make up a missed premium.

1Life Insurance will let you know via SMS when premiums are not paid, such as when a debit order bounces. We’ll include details of how you can make up the missed premium using one of our alternative payment options. We have several ways you can pay the outstanding premiums, including:

• Request a special deduction on the online policyholder service portal.
• Pay at a retail store including PEP, Ackermans, and Pick n Pay.
• Make use of apps like SnapScan and Zapper or your Shoprite app.
• Pay using your ABSA, Capitec, Nedbank, RMB, or FNB banking app using your unique Easy Pay reference.

If your 1Life Insurance policy lapses

If your premiums are unpaid after the grace period, your policy may lapse. However, we may be able to reinstate lapsed policies. Talk to one of our consultants who can advise if and how your policy can be reinstated so your family has the cover they need! If you are a life cover policyholder, you can use the WhatsApp service centre to request your life policy be reinstated.

5. Stay safe!

December can be a dangerous month – on the roads and even at home! Add emergency numbers to your contacts in case you need them quickly:

• Emergency medical care: 10177 or 112 from a cell phone, or your medical aid’s emergency numbers.
• Netcare emergency: 082 911.
• ER24: 084 124.
• Police: 10111.

Also, make a note of any neighbourhood watch contact details!

Have some December fun

Checklist complete! One more thing you can tick off your to-do list before you head out! Your policies are holiday-ready, and you can be sure they will be there for you. Stay safe, enjoy your holiday, and time with the ones you love!