With load shedding upon us again, incidents of power surges become more prevalent.
A power surge is a form of electrical power disturbance. There are four main types of power disturbances, namely:
- Voltage dips
- Electromagnetic interference
- Radio frequency interference
- Power surges (also referred to as “voltage surges” or “transient voltages”)
Power surges are generally considered to be the most destructive of the four types of electrical power disturbances. Power surges are spikes in voltage. They are very brief, usually lasting millionths of a second. Power surges can vary in duration and magnitude, from a few hundred volts to several thousand volts.
Sectional title rules make no reference to power surges as a risk requiring cover. Under most sectional title policies (buildings section), power surge is not an insured peril and therefore any loss or damage to the insured property directly resulting from power surge is not automatically covered.
Most policies include a public supply connections extension which covers certain damages caused to electricity and telecommunications connections to the property of the body corporate. Power surge damage to these connections would ordinarily be covered. Parts of the building or assets on all risk cover would usually be covered against power surge.
These days, both perils-based policies and all risk policies are available. The sectional title perils-based products are usually extended to include limited power surge cover and some all-risk policies limit the extent of power surge cover. In other words, most sectional title policies, by design, do have limited cover one way or another. Increased power surge cover is available, therefore it is suggested that trustees who are aware of the higher risks around their properties in this regard, advise their brokers for this cover to be considered.
We draw attention to a previous blog where we alluded to Loadshedding, community living and risk during outages.
Body Corporate trustees and owners should take additional reasonable steps to prevent loss or damage to the insured property caused by power surge.
Author: Mike Addison
Contact Addsure – The Leaders in Sectional Title Insurance – for fit and proper advice from advisors who understand sectional title. Contact us in Johannesburg on (011) 704-3858; in Durban on (031) 459-1795 and in Cape Town on (021) 551-5069