Understanding betterment
19 June 2024
One often hears an owner asking “What is betterment?” The question was also recently raised in The Sectional Tile Living Facebook page. Betterment is essentially
3 Essential insurance documents that need proper signatures
12 June 2024
The signing of certain insurance documentation correctly is critical. This is vital for ensuring legal compliance and protecting the interests of all parties involved. There
Why the broker’s letter of appointment needs to be dealt with correctly
24 May 2024
The appointed intermediary (insurance broker) needs to be officially appointed by the insured (the scheme). The insurance intermediary is defined in the Financial Advisory and
What you need to know about sectional title valuations in 2024
23 April 2024
The cornerstone of ensuring the protection of one’s buildings lies in accurately determining their replacement values. Prescribed Management Rules 23.(3) and 23.(4) provide clear guidance
What is the claim procedure following damage to a section?
16 February 2024
We were recently asked about the process to follow when submitting a claim for damage to a section in a community scheme. Here is how
Resultant loss vs. consequential loss
24 January 2024
Resultant damage: This is defined as a loss that occurs as a direct result of an act caused by an insured peril. In sectional title
Sectional title insurance: What should a new owner be looking for?
23 January 2024
Embarking on the home-ownership journey, particularly for first-time buyers in a sectional title setting, demands careful attention to insurance matters. This enlightening article delves into
Insurance cover for property exposed in the open
23 January 2024
Your buildings insurance offers protection for all permanent fixtures and fittings falling within the insurer’s definition of buildings. Fixtures positioned or installed in open areas
Insurance excess and the member’s responsibility
23 January 2024
There is a bit of history behind the sectional title excess rule in in South Africa. For many years, there was no rule stipulating who
Are blocked pipes covered by insurance?
23 January 2024
There is no requirement in community scheme legislation for insurance to attend to unblocking pipes. The mainstream community scheme insurers we work with exclude the
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Blog Archive
2025 (24)
- Monday, December 1 - Holidays and sectional title: A short seasonal risk checklist for schemes
- Thursday, November 20 - Alternative energy systems: Solar inverter systems
- Thursday, November 13 - Can an owner insure their unit separately from the body corporate policy?
- Monday, November 3 - Standard and non-standard construction in insurance
- Wednesday, October 22 - Can one find cover for leaking pipes?
- Thursday, October 2 - Insurance risk surveys: Buildings condition and safety compliance
- Monday, August 25 - Insurance considerations for managing agents
- Monday, August 18 - What to do after a fire, flood, or storm: Your emergency checklist
- Tuesday, July 29 - Why doesn’t your premium drop when you lower your building’s sum insured?
- Monday, July 21 - Solar compliance: What managing agents need to do
- Wednesday, June 4 - Why the AGM matters – especially when it comes to insurance
- Monday, June 2 - Claims preparation costs
- Wednesday, February 19 - Can insurers cancel a scheme’s policy and if so, why would they?
- Monday, February 3 - Why do we pay an insurance excess?
- Monday, January 27 - The AGM handout and how to use it
- Wednesday, January 15 - Steps in the valuation process
- Monday, January 6 - Roof valleys: Maintenance tips to avoid costly repairs and claim rejections
2024 (17)
- Tuesday, November 12 - Are owners entitled to cash in lieu of damage claims in sectional title schemes?
- Thursday, November 7 - Understanding your insurer’s response to third-party liability claims
- Tuesday, October 22 - Fireworks and community schemes: An insurance perspective
- Friday, October 18 - General safety tips for trick-or-treating in community schemes
- Monday, October 14 - Hot work permit: Fire risk mitigation in community schemes
- Thursday, September 26 - Navigating multiple section storm damage claims in sectional title schemes
- Tuesday, June 25 - Protecting your sectional title scheme: Insights from recent court cases
- Wednesday, June 19 - Understanding betterment
- Wednesday, June 12 - 3 Essential insurance documents that need proper signatures
- Tuesday, April 23 - What you need to know about sectional title valuations in 2024
- Friday, February 16 - What is the claim procedure following damage to a section?
- Wednesday, January 24 - Resultant loss vs. consequential loss
- Tuesday, January 23 - Sectional title insurance: What should a new owner be looking for?
- Tuesday, January 23 - Insurance cover for property exposed in the open
- Tuesday, January 23 - Insurance excess and the member’s responsibility
- Tuesday, January 23 - Are blocked pipes covered by insurance?
2023 (30)
- Wednesday, October 18 - Everything you need to know about water damage claims
- Tuesday, October 17 - Burst and leaking pipes: When will your insurance pay?
- Wednesday, September 20 - Cover for garden landscaping and removal of trees
- Wednesday, September 20 - Asbestos is finally on its way out
- Friday, September 8 - What is the insured’s contractual duty following a claimable event?
- Friday, September 1 - Geysers – the most common claim
- Thursday, August 31 - What you need to consider when appointing a community scheme’s insurance broker
- Thursday, August 31 - What can trustees check to reduce the risk of damage prior to the rainy season?
- Tuesday, August 1 - How to deal with a leaning boundary wall
- Wednesday, July 26 - Actions following an insurance valuation
- Wednesday, July 26 - Sectional title insurance and the valuer
- Wednesday, July 26 - The difference between retaining walls and boundary walls
- Friday, July 7 - Who is covered by fidelity guarantee insurance?
- Friday, July 7 - Email spoofing and the value of fidelity guarantee insurance
- Thursday, July 6 - Do managing agents still need fidelity cover?
- Wednesday, July 5 - Renewal of fidelity policies
- Monday, June 26 - What should be included in fidelity insurance products?
- Monday, June 26 - About fidelity insurance: CSOS Regulation 15 in layman’s terms
- Monday, June 12 - Insuring solar equipment installations: A Q&A with Pearl Scheltema
- Monday, June 12 - Community schemes: What to do following an earthquake?
- Wednesday, June 7 - How does sectional title property insurance cover the property owner?
- Monday, June 5 - Why does thermal solar geyser present a lower insurance risk?
- Wednesday, May 24 - Insurance claims for ceiling damage: The most common claims
- Wednesday, May 24 - The importance of insurance at your scheme’s AGM
- Thursday, March 16 - What owners needs to know about their geyser claims
- Tuesday, January 17 - Claims ratio in a nutshell
2022 (6)
- Monday, November 21 - How to mitigate risks related to load shedding around the common property.
- Tuesday, September 13 - Settling of claims in the sectional title environment
- Wednesday, March 23 - What you should know about fidelity insurance
- Wednesday, January 19 - How to complete insurance claim forms for community schemes
2021 (10)
- Saturday, December 4 - What trustees can do to mitigate loss relating to their geysers
- Monday, November 15 - How to know if your insurance claim is viable
- Tuesday, October 26 - Children’s play areas on common property: What are the risks?
- Thursday, September 16 - How to deal with insurance when a new managing agent is appointed
- Sunday, August 15 - Insurance for tools and equipment owned by community schemes
- Sunday, July 11 - How the change of use affects the risk of a section
- Friday, June 18 - Appointing your sectional title insurance broker
- Wednesday, May 12 - How to deal with multiple excesses in insurance claims
- Monday, April 26 - The risk of bush and forest fires
- Monday, January 11 - The effects of Covid-19 on community scheme insurance
2020 (5)
- Thursday, December 10 - When it comes to claims, what are the owner’s rights?
- Wednesday, September 30 - How mezzanine floor extensions affect sectional title insurance
- Friday, June 26 - What owners need to know about the sectional title claims process
- Wednesday, April 1 - Who pays the insurance excess on a burst pipe?
2019 (13)
- Monday, December 2 - Dealing with damages to gates in community schemes
- Sunday, November 10 - Why cheaper isn’t always better
- Monday, October 14 - Warehouses and fire risk
- Friday, September 27 - Storm season is coming. Are you prepared?
- Monday, July 22 - Claiming for damage to fitted carpets
- Wednesday, May 29 - How to efficiently resolve building damage claims
- Monday, April 15 - The untold value of a community schemes insurance specialist
- Monday, April 1 - Why you need the annual record of advice in writing
- Monday, March 18 - Contractors risk insurance: Dealing with building works on property
- Tuesday, March 5 - Do you have sufficient geyser insurance?
- Monday, February 18 - Trampolines on body corporate common property
- Monday, February 4 - Water storage tanks for rainwater harvesting
2018 (27)
- Monday, December 10 - Supervision around common area swimming pools
- Monday, December 10 - Retaining walls and insurance
- Monday, November 26 - The risky season
- Monday, November 12 - Dealing with washing machines in sectional title units
- Monday, October 29 - What you need to know about vehicle impact damage
- Monday, October 15 - How inflation affects insurance replacement cost
- Monday, October 1 - Insurance implications of section extensions in sectional title complexes
- Monday, September 17 - Inner-city community schemes: The risks and responsibilities
- Monday, September 3 - Insurance responsibilities ahead of the AGM
- Monday, August 20 - When valuation measurements don’t add up
- Tuesday, August 7 - Annual policy renewal: What are the trustees’ responsibilities?
- Monday, July 23 - Common property and disclaimer boards
- Monday, July 9 - Rising damp and moisture ingress – is this covered by insurance?
- Wednesday, June 20 - Cover for security guard services
- Wednesday, June 6 - What recourse do you have when your claim is rejected?
- Wednesday, May 23 - Community schemes and heritage buildings
- Thursday, May 17 - Sectional title insurance and the value of regular valuations
- Friday, April 20 - Insurance representation: What does a Letter of Authority mean?
- Wednesday, April 11 - Using a sectional title scheme garage for storage
- Wednesday, April 4 - The 1-2-3 Approach of Sectional Title Insurance (updated)
- Wednesday, March 7 - Owners’ responsibility to take care of common property
- Wednesday, February 28 - Why you need to know your geyser information
- Wednesday, February 14 - Loss of keys and remote access devices
- Wednesday, January 31 - How water cuts will affect building insurance
- Wednesday, January 24 - Liability claims arising from storm and wind damage
- Wednesday, January 17 - Trustees and insurance renewals
- Wednesday, January 10 - Meeting sectional title insurance challenges in 2018
2017 (41)
- Wednesday, December 13 - Festive Season Risk
- Wednesday, December 6 - Insurance for solar and electric geysers
- Wednesday, November 22 - Trees on common property
- Wednesday, November 15 - Claim settlement delays and frustrations
- Tuesday, November 7 - Sectional title insurance and the advice process
- Wednesday, October 25 - How will recent global storms affect insurance premiums?
- Wednesday, October 18 - The role of the insured in sectional title insurance
- Wednesday, October 4 - Loss of water: Limited cover provided
- Wednesday, September 27 - Insurance and the managing agent: What insurance does a managing agent need?
- Wednesday, September 20 - Sectional title legislation in community schemes
- Wednesday, September 13 - Property improvements not covered by buildings insurance policies
- Wednesday, August 30 - Why different types of insurance risk must be disclosed
- Tuesday, August 8 - Drought and possible water supply cuts
- Wednesday, August 2 - The consequences of insurance risk inspections
- Wednesday, July 26 - Community scheme insurance and the independent insurance advisor
- Wednesday, July 19 - Treating Customers Fairly
- Wednesday, July 12 - Signing claim forms in the sectional title environment.
- Wednesday, June 28 - Is your community scheme insured against strikes, riots and terrorism?
- Wednesday, June 21 - The importance of accurate insurance values and limits
- Wednesday, June 14 - Sectional Title: Back to Basics
- Wednesday, June 7 - Retirement centres and additional insurance risks
- Wednesday, May 24 - Defamation and insurance in community schemes
- Wednesday, May 17 - Education and risk in community schemes
- Wednesday, May 10 - Sectional title buildings insurance policies vs. current rules and regulations
- Wednesday, May 3 - Buildings insurance policies & sectional title schemes
- Wednesday, April 26 - How subrogation works
- Thursday, April 20 - Why full insurance disclosure is important
- Wednesday, April 12 - Know your neighbour’s property
- Wednesday, April 5 - Risk assessment and the value of good advice
- Wednesday, March 29 - Are you covered for smoke and pollution?
- Wednesday, March 22 - Sectional title chain of command
- Wednesday, March 15 - How to deal with a rejected insurance claim
- Wednesday, March 8 - Ombud services that affect sectional title insurance
- Wednesday, March 1 - Why insurance valuations are important
- Wednesday, February 22 - Geyser insurance – An update
- Wednesday, February 15 - Practical steps to deal with sectional title insurance
- Wednesday, February 8 - Claiming for water damage to fitted carpets
- Wednesday, February 1 - Building rate and sectional title insurance
- Wednesday, January 25 - Mid-term change in insurance T&C’s
- Wednesday, January 18 - When trade increases your risk profile
- Wednesday, January 11 - Community scheme insurance in 2017
2016 (38)
- Wednesday, December 14 - Death on sectional title property
- Wednesday, November 30 - Understanding property owners’ liability cover & trustees’ indemnity
- Wednesday, October 19 - Late notification of insurance claims
- Wednesday, October 12 - Insuring community scheme store rooms
- Wednesday, October 5 - Insurance claim settlement – cash or reinstatement?
- Wednesday, September 28 - Determining replacement values – the body corporate’s responsibility
- Wednesday, September 21 - Community schemes, liability and prescription
- Wednesday, September 14 - Application of theft excess for multiple burglaries
- Wednesday, September 7 - How the new regulations and insurance will affect your AGM
- Wednesday, August 31 - Questions about community scheme insurance
- Wednesday, August 24 - Do you have dual insurance on your building?
- Wednesday, August 17 - Damages claims and matching materials
- Wednesday, August 10 - Insurance premium and sectional title legislation
- Tuesday, July 26 - Damp problem: Am I covered?
- Wednesday, July 6 - What insurance advice can a body corporate expect?
- Wednesday, June 29 - 8 Principles of sectional title insurance
- Wednesday, June 22 - Is it possible for trustees of a body corporate to exclude or remove geyser cover?
- Wednesday, June 15 - 10 Questions to ask when selecting a sectional title insurance advisor
- Wednesday, June 8 - 12 Common insurance mistakes trustees make
- Wednesday, June 1 - Body corporate vs. nightmare neighbour
- Wednesday, May 25 - Water restrictions and geysers
- Wednesday, May 18 - The purpose of insurer risk surveys
- Tuesday, May 10 - Is a damaged roof covered by insurance?
- Wednesday, May 4 - Insuring owner’s contents vs. body corporate contents
- Tuesday, April 26 - Why you need an FSP representative?
- Wednesday, April 20 - How is my garage insured?
- Wednesday, April 13 - Insurance definitions: Capital additions
- Wednesday, April 6 - Increased replacement values
- Wednesday, March 30 - Sudden damage vs. gradual damage
- Wednesday, March 23 - How to deal with a community scheme liability claim
- Wednesday, March 16 - A picture is worth a thousand words – using photographs in insurance claims
- Wednesday, March 9 - News on Insurance and AGMs – Proposed New Insurance Rules
- Wednesday, March 2 - The valuation and the proposed prescribed rules
- Wednesday, February 24 - The Definitions of Insured Values – Part 2
- Wednesday, February 17 - The Definition of Insured Values – Part 1
- Wednesday, February 10 - Budgeting for your insurance
- Wednesday, February 3 - Claim settlement of a destroyed section
- Wednesday, January 13 - The role of the loss adjuster
2015 (41)
- Friday, December 18 - 16 Tips to Reduce Risk Before Going Away
- Thursday, December 17 - Beware of online banking fraud
- Wednesday, December 9 - What does the insurance definition ‘Act of God’ mean?
- Wednesday, November 18 - New proposed CSOS and STSM Act regulations
- Wednesday, November 11 - The story behind Addsure’s Sectional Title Insurance Guide
- Wednesday, November 4 - The meaning of proximate cause
- Wednesday, October 28 - What does ‘insurable interest’ mean?
- Wednesday, October 21 - When should my broker fight for me?
- Wednesday, October 14 - How do I maintain my geyser?
- Wednesday, October 7 - Composition of the sectional title policy
- Wednesday, September 23 - Is trustee indemnity cover a requirement?
- Wednesday, September 9 - Common property improvements: Garden irrigation systems
- Wednesday, September 2 - Owners and the schedule of replacement values
- Wednesday, August 19 - Slip and fall on common property
- Wednesday, August 12 - Furnishing advice for sectional title schemes
- Wednesday, August 5 - Cover for window glass and sectional title insurance
- Wednesday, July 29 - Use of residential section for business
- Wednesday, July 22 - The definition of a building
- Wednesday, July 15 - Check your sectional title policy
- Wednesday, July 8 - Homeowners’ associations and insurance
- Wednesday, July 1 - Unoccupied premises
- Wednesday, June 24 - Sectional title insurance and power surge
- Wednesday, June 17 - Generators in the body corporate environment
- Wednesday, June 10 - Better informed trustees reduce risk
- Wednesday, May 20 - Braai fires on balconies
- Wednesday, May 13 - Aerials, satellite dishes, air conditioning units on common property
- Wednesday, May 6 - Sectional title insurance and technology
- Wednesday, April 29 - Sectional title insurance and perils not covered
- Wednesday, April 22 - The origin and importance of sectional title policy
- Wednesday, April 15 - Loss of rent or alternative accommodation cover
- Wednesday, April 8 - Insurance premium and sectional title legislation
- Tuesday, March 31 - A property owner’s guide to preventing damage and liability
- Wednesday, March 25 - Difference between replacement value and market value
- Wednesday, March 11 - OHS and sectional title insurance
- Wednesday, March 4 - Liability and body corporate gym equipment
- Wednesday, February 25 - Insurance and duet sectional title schemes
- Wednesday, February 11 - Who should arrange additional cover for sectional title schemes?
- Wednesday, February 4 - How to deal with illegal structures
- Wednesday, January 21 - Swimming pool safety requirements, guidelines, and best practices
- Wednesday, January 14 - Sectional title and political riot cover
- Wednesday, January 7 - New developments and sectional title insurance
2014 (32)
- Wednesday, December 10 - Load shedding, community living and risk
- Wednesday, November 26 - Replacement values and legislation
- Wednesday, November 19 - Damage caused by ants, termites, vermin, etc.
- Wednesday, November 12 - Settling claims in a sectional title environment
- Tuesday, October 28 - When additional cover is needed
- Wednesday, October 22 - Items in the open
- Wednesday, October 8 - How to ensure that your insurance claim is resolved quickly
- Wednesday, October 1 - Why managing agents need professional indemnity and fidelity cover
- Thursday, September 25 - Theft cover: Exterior fixtures and fittings
- Monday, September 15 - Your building insurance claim was rejected. What now?
- Wednesday, September 10 - Buildings insurance: What is covered?
- Wednesday, August 20 - Earthquake insurance
- Wednesday, August 13 - How to choose your insurer
- Wednesday, August 6 - Leak from section above enquiry
- Wednesday, July 30 - Subsidence and landslip
- Wednesday, July 23 - Buildings & insurance: Are you legal?
- Friday, July 18 - Insurance & the EUA
- Thursday, July 10 - Prevention of loss
- Wednesday, July 2 - Responsibility for insurance excesses – multiple sections damaged
- Wednesday, June 25 - Occupancy risk in sectional title schemes
- Wednesday, June 18 - Liability: Occurrence vs. claims made basis
- Tuesday, May 27 - Why some bodies corporate neglect fidelity cover
- Tuesday, May 20 - The 1-2-3 Approach
- Wednesday, May 14 - The danger of being under-insured
- Tuesday, May 6 - Rock fall and debris removal – are you covered?
- Wednesday, April 30 - Gas installations
- Thursday, April 24 - Escalation and inflation.. what?
- Monday, March 31 - How to cover your property asset
- Wednesday, March 19 - Insurance advice for sectional title: Key documents and processes
- Thursday, March 13 - Are you covered for tiles that crack or lift?
- Friday, March 7 - Thatch construction & insurance
- Friday, March 7 - Fire prevention