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Managing Your Risk of Exposure to Crime

Managing Your Risk of Exposure to Crime

Date: 2016-10-21
Recently released SAPS crime statistics show an increase in crime, particularly residential armed robberies and hijackings. It is easy to feel overwhelmed, but knowledge and proactive action are important factors when it comes to safeguarding yourself and loved ones.

"Key is vigilance, an understanding of how and when such crimes are most likely to happen, and taking active measures to mitigate them," says Mandy Barrett of insurance brokerage and risk advisors, Aon South Africa. "Although it's a truism that such vigilance needs to be part and parcel of our daily lives, it's especially important with the upcoming festive season when we typically see an uptick in criminal activities."

Aon's insurance claim statistics seem to bear out the SAPS crime statistics, with more clients claiming for armed home invasions and hijackings than before. SAPS crime stats show that armed robberies at residential premises increased by 5.2% to 20,281 reported incidents, equating to 56 households every day during 2014/2015. Hijackings also increased, with 35 reported incidents every day for the same period (a 3.2% increase), while armed robberies at businesses increased by 14.2%.

There is a great deal that can be done to mitigate your risk. Aon provides the following tips and insights into how criminals operate and what can be done to reduce your risk:

"Your insurance broker is an invaluable source of information of crime trends and the modus operandi in your area. It may not be the most pleasant conversation, but your broker will certainly be able to enlighten you on what their assessors and insurers are seeing in your suburb - forewarned is forearmed," Mandy says.

"Also remember to check the provisions of your insurance policy and ensure you comply with any conditions of cover - for example keeping jewelry over a certain value in a locked safe when not worn, arming your alarm when you leave your home, having burglar bars on all opening windows and doors and such," says Mandy.

"It is a good exercise to update your inventory of contents in your home on a regular basis and to advise your insurer of any material changes that may affect your cover, such as the addition of solar equipment, skylights and the like. A professional broker will ensure that you are in good hands and that there are no surprises waiting when you need to claim. Call your broker, today," concludes Mandy.