21 Oct Storm season is coming

Storm season readiness: safeguarding your property

At Safire, we believe that proactive risk management is the cornerstone of sound insurance practice. Taking steps to reduce risk before disaster strikes not only safeguards one’s assets but also helps ensure smoother claims processes and predictable outcomes. As climate patterns shift and extreme weather becomes more frequent, property owners are well-advised to take proactive steps before the inevitable thunderstorms roll in. A little preparation now can prevent costly repairs, insurance claims, and unnecessary headaches and interruptions later.

Know your regional risks

While every province faces its own challenges, some areas are more vulnerable than others. KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng often experience violent late-afternoon thunderstorms with hail and flash flooding, while coastal regions may see gale-force winds and lightning strikes. Understanding your area’s storm risk allows you to prioritise the most relevant protective measures — for example, ensuring roof structures inland are suitably compliant, or providing efficient drainage in low-lying coastal zones.

Check roofs and gutters

Roof integrity is your first line of defence. Inspect for cracked tiles, loose sheeting, or degraded waterproofing. Blocked gutters and downpipes can lead to water backing up under roof tiles and into ceilings — a common cause of damage that may not be looked at favourably by your insurer. Clean all gutters and ensure that stormwater drains are free of debris, especially after dry winter months when dead leaves and twigs accumulate. Commercial property owners should schedule professional inspections for large flat roofs or warehouse structures, where pooling water can cause significant structural strain and/or leaks.

Secure outdoor areas

Flying or falling debris is frequently associated with severe storm activity, and can result in damage to buildings and vehicles. Trim overhanging branches, tie down garden furniture, and secure loose signage, umbrellas, or shade cloths. Businesses should ensure that storage yards are cleared of materials that could be lifted by wind or washed into stormwater systems. Simple precautions can save you from shattered windows, damaged vehicles, and injured employees or residents.

Protect against lightning and power surges

South Africa has one of the highest lightning strike rates in the world. Ensuring that your home, farm, or building has an effective lightning conductor, particularly in high-risk areas of the country, can help prevent disruptive damage caused by lightning strikes. Inside, use surge protection plugs or install whole-property surge protectors to safeguard expensive electronics and appliances. Many insurers are seeing an increase in claims for damaged inverters, gate motors, and security systems due to power fluctuations combined with lightning activity.

Protect crops, equipment and livestock

For agricultural clients, storms can have devastating consequences beyond buildings alone. A little forward planning can mean the difference between a short disruption and a costly loss when severe weather hits.

• Machinery and equipment: Move tractors and other valuable machinery under shelter before storms arrive.
• Crops: Ensure irrigation and drainage systems are in good working order to prevent erosion or waterlogging. Hail netting or crop insurance can provide vital financial protection during volatile weather periods.
• Livestock: Check that animals have access to safe shelter and that fencing and gates are secure. Lightning strikes can be fatal to livestock, so consider earthing systems around metal sheds or fencing.
• Power supply: Protect pumps and borehole systems from surges associated with lightning, and consider installing surge arrestors on lines leading to irrigation equipment.

Check your insurance cover

The change of season is an ideal time to review your insurance policies. Confirm that your building sum insured reflects the current replacement cost — not the market value — and update valuations for fixtures, solar systems, or recent renovations. Business owners and farmers should check their business interruption or loss of income cover, ensuring that it adequately accounts for potential downtime following weather-related damage. Also review your excess amounts and clarify exactly what is and isn’t covered, such as damage that results from inadequate maintenance.

Keep maintenance records

As a policyholder, steps should be taken to mitigate against losses or prevent them completely. Adequate maintenance, carried out timeously, is essential to ensure compliance with the obligations placed on the insured by their policy. Insurers may reject or reduce a claim if damage results from neglect or lack of maintenance. Keep dated photos or invoices from roof inspections, plumbing repairs, and electrical safety checks. These can be invaluable in proving that reasonable preventative measures were taken.

Plan for emergencies

Prepare a storm plan for your household, business, or farming operation. Keep emergency contact numbers for your insurer, local municipality, and reliable contractors. Store key documents and valuables in waterproof containers. In commercial or agricultural settings, ensure that your staff members know evacuation procedures and where to shut off power if flooding occurs.

With South Africa’s storm season typically starting in late October and peaking through to March, now is the time to act. Preventative maintenance and adequate insurance are not just about avoiding inconvenience — they’re about protecting your most valuable assets and ensuring financial resilience in the face of nature’s unpredictability.

Please note: The information contained in this article is not offered as ‘advice’ in terms of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act 2002 as amended, and policyholders should consult with their intermediaries and the policy wording so as to ensure a full and complete understanding of the cover offered to them in terms of the Safire policy of insurance.