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Census related robberies should be insured but check your policy

  Mandy Barrett of insurance brokers, Aon South Africa

With the first incident of robbery by bogus census gatherers reported and the possibility of more such incidents occurring, policy holders should check whether their householders insurance policies will pay out for theft if no forced entry is involved says Mandy Barrett of insurance brokers, Aon South Africa.

Generally she says, in the case of armed robbery where no forced entry is involved and the house was occupied at the time, theft cover would pay out. However not all policy wordings are the same and you should look for any exclusions in this respect.   

Barrett was reacting to news that a homeowner was robbed by a bogus census 2011 enumerator.   “This was clearly an isolated incident, but caution is definitely the watchword and it goes without saying that you should not allow anyone into your home if you are at all suspicious. 

“The onus is on the census enumerators to identify themselves with a badge, a handheld device, Census Bureau canvas bag and a confidentiality notice.

“Posters should be in your neighbourhood with pictures of the officials which can be compared with their official ID’s which have special holograms across the photograph of  the holder.  

“You have the option of allowing enumerators into your home and you can ask for the forms to be left behind for later collection. Also, the interview can be conducted through a security gate and security complex home owners can nominate someone to hand out and collect the questionnaires. 

“The enumerators will work from 7am to 8pm covering something like 14 million households countrywide, so anyone approaching you after those hours should be treated with suspicion unless they have identified themselves to your satisfaction and have made a prior appointment. These are among a number of well publicised precautionary measures and it’s advisable to check your local media for details.    

“Also, we would suggest you use the opportunity to assess your inventory of insured assets,  specifically in terms of current values, to avoid under-insurance where you would be paid out only a portion of the replacement cost under the insurance companies ‘average’ clause.

“And if you have not done so already, take photographs of your jewellery and other high valuable items and make sure valuation certificates are stored in a safe place to assist you with a possible claim.

“These are all the normal precautions that should be in place in any event, but the advent of the census serves to highlight the need for these issues to be attended to.”

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