Holiday insurance tips: safeguarding your home and valuables

South African insurers across the board typically see a rise in claims over the festive season, due to an increase in lifestyle and safety risks. According to the South African Insurance Association (SAIA), the Easter and Christmas periods remain the two annual peak periods for motor insurance claims, while the latest data from Stats SA (2024/25) shows that about 1.5 million incidents of housebreaking occurred in the period (representing roughly 5.7% of all households in the country).

But really, it should come as no surprise that December and January carry a higher-than-usual level of risk. Roads are busier as families clock long distances, often in hot weather, which increases the likelihood of accidents and breakdowns. Alcohol-related accidents also tend to increase. Necessities like a tyre pressure check and stopping to take a breather go out the window.  Homes, meanwhile, are left standing empty while their owners are off in search of rest, making them softer targets.

Cybercriminal activity also spikes, with fraudsters using more sophisticated tactics to deceive unsuspecting consumers.

Add in end-of-year fatigue, rushed planning, more tourists (leading to increased opportunistic criminal activity), and increased rainfall in the northern parts of South Africa, and you have the perfect recipe for a spike in short-term insurance claims.

Here are some tips to help you better protect your valuables during these holidays.

1. Don’t let your cover lapse when you’re in holiday mode. It’s surprisingly common for people to slip into year-end spending mode and forget the basics, like keeping premiums up to date or checking that their licence discs and driver’s licences are valid. Some clients even reverse their insurance premiums to free up cash for holiday spending, not realising this often suspends their cover. One disputed debit order is all it takes to leave you uninsured at the very moment you need help most.
2. Secure your home before you lock up and leave. With millions of South Africans travelling over the holidays, empty homes become easy targets, and break-ins spike over this period. Before heading off, ensure your alarm is armed and in working order, windows and doors are secured, electric fencing is switched on, and any weak entry points are reinforced. It's advisable not to share your holiday plans (dates and location) over social media platforms, as criminals monitor these platforms for easy targets.  Traditional security alone isn’t enough: Your building and household-contents insurance is what ultimately helps you recover from theft, damage, or disasters while you’re away. It is, however, imperative that we play an active role in securing our premises.
3. Protect the valuables you’re travelling with. Festive travel often means taking high-value items along: jewellery, watches, tech, luggage, and designer clothing. Many people don’t realise these can be covered under a personal all-risk policy or a travel insurance policy, which compensates you for loss or theft anywhere in the world. If an item is valuable, specify it before you travel and keep the receipts. And if your holiday takes you across the border, remember to obtain your insurance border letter before departing and consider whether your policy terms and conditions make provision for extended territorial cover. It's advisable to familiarise yourself with cover limitations and specific border post requirements as these may differ between countries.
4. Finally, know your policy exclusions. The festive season doesn’t only bring busier roads and empty homes –  it also brings more stringent rules from insurers. Many companies introduce temporary underwriting restrictions over December, limiting certain types of cover, adjusting waiting periods, or pausing policy amendments altogether. This is largely due to an elevated risk environment. Clients are often surprised to learn that some benefits, upgrades, or new cover can’t be activated immediately during this period. Understanding your policy exclusions upfront ensures there are no unpleasant surprises if you need to claim, and check with your financial adviser if you’re uncertain.

* Kuyler is the head of short-term insurance at Consult by Momentum 

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