Having recently moved into an area that gets smashed by load shedding at the most inopportune times, I now get what all the fuss is about. On more than one occasion I have been forced to head to a drinking establishment in order to find some light and the results have been disastrous.

Of course there is also the added benefit of knowing that whilst we are drowning our sorrows, some eagle-eyed criminals are on the prowl, something we mentioned last week (HERE). Insurance companies have now taken to warning consumers of the trend, with the lack of security alarms and other features making it the ideal time to pounce.

On the plus side some local insurance companies have put their client’s minds at ease by clarifying where they stand on the matter of paying out insurance policies. EWN reports:

Absa Insurance Division’s Andries van Staden said criminals are taking advantage of those being left vulnerable during load shedding by targeting homes.

“If during load shedding the alarm or electric fence doesn’t work, we will not hold that against our policy holders.”

Christelle Fourie, the CEO of Mua Insurance Acceptance, said there are other risks associated with load shedding as well:

Fourie said other claims related to damage caused by load shedding have spiked significantly since cuts were implemented last year, with almost 2,000 extra claims made.

“We also dealt with a claim in KwaZulu-Natal where a house burnt down after a hairdryer was left switched on.”

She said this year alone her company has paid out an extra R25 million to clients for load shedding damage.

Your mental checklist then when the lights go out – unplug everything, make sure your doors are locked and find a good local bar within crawling distance.

The only way to fight crime together is with a connected neighbourhood. OurHood is building a safer, stronger South Africa with their new platform available on desktop and app. Go to ourhood.co.za and sign up now to communicate in real time with your real neighbours.

[source:ewn]