FAQ

How to claim
At Sahib, we make it easy for you to claim. When the need to claim arises, all you need to do is contact our offices toll free on 080 0 43 49 48 where our qualified staff will handle the claims process on your behalf. Please remember to obtain a claim number. According to the policy contract, you are obliged to submit notice of your claim as soon as you are able.

What is excess?
The excess is the first payment that needs to be made in the event of a claim, regardless of whether you are guilty or not. If the insured is not guilty, he or she can claim the amount back from the other party. This process could however take some considerable tome, particularly if the guilty party is not insured.

How to insure your vehicles
When insuring your vehicles you have three cover options:
Comprehensive Cover where you are covered for loss of or damage to the vehicle, Third Party Liability, and limited medical expenses
Third Party Only Cover where cover applies only in respect of liability to Third Parties
Third Party, Fire and Theft Cover where the insured vehicle is covered in respect of loss of or damage to the vehicle resulting from fire, self-ignition, lightning, and explosion or by theft or any theft attempt threat. Cover for liability to Third Parties also applies

How to value your vehicles
Various factors influence the value of a motor vehicle, consequently it is important to insure your vehicle at its current market value. As a vehicle's value depreciates over time due to wear and tear this should be taken into account when deciding your vehicle insurance amount. The insurance company will base the original insured value on the retail value and calculate the premium accordingly.

The Auto dealers' Guide is a handy tool for determining market value however the following factors should also be taken into account:

  • the popularity of and demand for particular makes in certain areas
  • the condition of the vehicle
  • the odometer reading
  • extras which have been fitted to the vehicle

How underinsurance would affect you
When you submit a claim and are underinsured, the principle of average will be applied to compensate you partially for your loss. In accordance with the average clause in your policy, the extent to which you are underinsured will be applied to your claim.

Suppose your Lodge or Lodge contents are insured for only 50% of the replacement value and you submit a claim for R20 000, only 50% of the claim, that is R10 000, will be paid out.

The building finance department of your bank or an expert in the building industry will be able to value your buildings. At Sahib we suggest that you ask a reputable dealer to determine the insurance value of your vehicles.
Considerations of escalations must be taken to avoid the conditions of average underinsurance being applied to the insured’s disadvantage.

What is EC Directive?
There exists a piece of foreign legislation that directly impacts on tourism service providers operating within Southern Africa.

The European Community Directive 90/314/EEC relating to the Package Holidays and Travel Trade Act, 1995 is legislation that governs the conduct of Tour Organisers operating within European Community member states.

The Act seeks to protect the consumer by making the Tour Organiser liable for the proper performance of the entire tour package, even if the failure or improper performance is due to the fault of a supplier of one or more of the services provided.

If the tourist books a safari holiday in South Africa through an organiser in the UK and is injured at a Game Lodge in South Africa, he need only prove that the Lodge was liable for the injury in order to succeed in a claim against the organiser. Thus, the UK tour organiser is held legally liable for an incident where there is no ‘fault’ on their part.

In light of this ‘liability assumed by contract’ ruling, tour organisers in the EC member states are very cautious in their dealings with Southern African tourism service providers and will want reassurance that your liability insurance will respond to valid claims and extends to cover your sub-contractors.

In effect a Lodge would need EC Directive cover should they not wish to be sued for the loss suffered; as ‘liability assumed by contract’ would be excluded on the tourist operator’s policy they need reassurance that the Lodge has adequate insurances.