Six tips to help you save responsibly without compromising on your cover

We spring-clean our homes and commit to new resolutions every year, but we often tend to forget about that all-important insurance contract because it’s not something tangible we can see.

A short-term insurance contract is renewed automatically so it’s seldom a top-of-mind priority. Instead of just letting it tick over, take the time to read your insurance contract.

It’s best to involve your intermediary in reviewing the contract – he or she is best positioned to offer you expert advice to ensure you are properly covered.

If you’ve done renovations to enhance the value of your home, such as extending it, installing a swimming pool or upgrading your kitchen, reviewing your policy is an opportunity to make sure you’re not underinsured. When it comes to your car, you’ll want to check that the market value it’s insured for is correct, taking into consideration things like age, mileage and its condition.

Not everyone can live in a security complex (though it is a big plus), but there are other ways you can save on home insurance premiums. Consider other safety measures you can put in place to protect your property and serve as a deterrent. These include burglar bars, security gates, electric fences or a linked alarm system.

The old fax machine? The washing machine gathering dust? The cellphone you’re keeping for “just in case”? Along with adjusting the value of your belongings, getting rid of old or unused items that no longer need cover is another way you can lower your home insurance premium. Don’t play guessing games when determining the total value at risk. The truth is, the best way to do this is item by item, room by room. Does this sound tedious? Don’t worry, Santam’s Home Contents Calculator will make this process a whole lot simpler.

Have you got more than one set of wheels in the family? Are you able to call a cab or catch a lift with a friend? If the answer is “yes”, rather remove car hire from your policy. That way, you’ll save by reducing your monthly car insurance premium.

Replacing your own car can be pricey but having to replace someone else’s luxury car after an accident can be even more expensive. If you can’t afford comprehensive insurance for your car, go with 3^rd-party insurance instead. You’ll pay less and remain covered if the need to claim arises.

We understand these are challenging times, that’s why we are committed to supporting you in saving responsibly on your insurance premiums without having to compromise on insurance that is good and proper.