This means that if you are granted dual citizenship, you are able to travel around the world whilst being in possession of two passports.

We spoke to the founder of De Saude Attorneys at Law, Stefanie De Saude about the ins and outs of dual citizenship in South Africa.

De Saude is an attorney specialising in South African immigration and citizenship.

Here is what she had to say:

Dual Citizenship In South Africa

South Africa allows for dual and/or multiple citizenships for South African citizens depending on how it is acquired. It is, however, possible to lose your South African citizenship in the process depending on your circumstances.

Need to apply for a passport for your children? Read more about it below

Who Automatically Qualifies For Dual Citizenship?

If you have been residing in a foreign country for a period of time and have been granted citizenship there, you will not lose your SA citizenship. This does not affect your SA citizenship.

Another situation that does not affect your SA citizenship is if you are a minor. Any person under the age of 18 is allowed to obtain dual citizenship freely, without having to declare this to the South African government.

Lastly, if you have ancestral history residing in a specific country, you immediately qualify for a descendency citizenship.

Who Is At Risk Of Losing Their Dual Citizenship?

According to The South African Citizenship Act, 1995 (Act 88 of 1995),

a South African citizen will have their SA citizenship terminated if-

• He or she partakes in any voluntary work in another country, this doesn’t include marriage, and then gains citizenship for that country, or if;
• He or she serves in the national army for the other country in a war against South Africa. This is against the law and the person will lose their SA citizenship.

What Process Do You Have To Go Through When Applying For A Second Passport?

If you are wanting to retain your South African citizenship while applying for an additional passport, it is important that you first submit a retention application to the South African Home Affairs.

This letter needs to be submitted before you are granted citizenship in another country to avoid losing your SA citizenship.

If You Lose Your Passport, Is There A Way Of Getting It Back?

Yes, there is.

You need to declare to Home Affairs that you have dual citizenship. This is in the form of a prescribed letter. SA Home Affairs will then reissue you with another SA passport and South African citizenship.

If You Were Granted Citizenship In A Country When You Were A Minor, Do You Have To Reapply When You Turn 18? 

No. If you gained citizenship when you were a minor, you don’t have to re-register when you turn 18. You are entitled to that citizenship for the rest of your life.

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Will I Lose Citizenship If I Move To Another Country?

No. If you were born in South Africa and then decided to move to another country and your passport expires, you can re-apply for a new passport. You will have to get confirmation of permanent residence, however.

How Would South Africa Know If A Person Has Applied For Another Passport For Another Country?

They wouldn’t. The only way that they could find out is if your SA passport expires and you apply for another one. However, nowhere does it say that you are compelled to declare your other passport.

*If you are seeking dual citizenship and need the relevant documents, check out the South African Home Affairs website.

They say that home is where the heart is. Make sure you are fully covered for any eventuality and compare quotes today!

The post Got Two Passports? You Could Be In Danger Of Losing SA Citizenship appeared first on Insurance Quotes 24.

Naturally, there is a cost attached to each individual situation This kind of scenario is something that is covered by insurance companies. However, whether you will be covered depends on the type of car insurance you have.

Check out the types of car insurance available for the various accident scenarios.

Comprehensive Car Insurance

As the name suggests, this type of car insurance offers the most extensive coverage. While this makes it the most expensive type, it is often worth it as it covers you in nearly every possible scenario. This cover includes theft and hijacking, damage caused by natural disasters or accidents, and third party claims where you are responsible for the accident.

Third Party, Fire, and Theft

This type of insurance differs from Comprehensive cover in that in that is does not include accidental damage to your car, in which case you will be liable to pay for the damages. Natural disasters, theft, and third party claims are all covered.

Third Party Only

As the cheapest option, the only coverage offered is for third party claims. This includes damage to another person’s vehicle, as well as the passengers’ related injuries. Accordingly, theft or damages to your own car for any reason are not covered.  Third Party Only cover is a good option to consider if your car is paid off, or of a relatively low value.

While the cheapest option is tempting to consider, one must always consider all the factors of a situation before making the decision as it may lose you a fortune paying for damage that wasn’t covered.

The post Have You Considered These Accident Scenarios? appeared first on Insurance Quotes 24.

McIntosh said automotive groups are making up for lost ground. For the past three years pricing has lagged about three percentage points behind inflation, which has supported the market. The days of low new vehicle price inflation is coming to an end and it is largely driven by the exchange rate, he said. Consumers will feel the pinch as price increases – for the most part – are expected to be passed on at a retail level. Stiff price hikes could put a hamper on new vehicle sales growth, but the used car market could benefit from the widening gap between new vehicle and used car prices. He said whilst sales growth in the overall new vehicle market is expected to be flat, dealer sales could be down around 5%.

Prospects McIntosh said the economy is heading for a period of consolidation and low growth as disposable income lags inflation. Consumers are faced with petrol price hikes, interest rate increases and toll fees. He expects interest rates to rise off a low base by around two percentage points in the next 18 months. “So whilst it will have an effect I don’t think it will be that dramatic.” But continued strike action creates a lot of uncertainty, which could affect sentiment especially in the luxury end of the market. McIntosh said electricity supply disruptions are particularly difficult for the group’s workshops that have lost productive hours. Results CMH’s revenue grew 10% in the period under review to reach R10.8 billion. This is the first time the group exceeded the R10 billion revenue mark.

Operating profit surged 10.5% to R320.2 million. McIntosh said he is “quite pleased” with the results considering it was a difficult year, especially the second half. A prolonged strike in the automotive and component manufacturing sectors disrupted supply and the first interest rate hike also came through towards the end of its financial year. CMH sold 19 945 new vehicles in its 2014 financial year, compared to 19 793 in the prior year. It sold 13 970 used vehicles in 2014, up 3.7% from 2013. Headline earnings decreased 1.3% to R169.3 million, after eliminating the cost of goodwill impaired in the previous year. Dividends declared during the year were up 27.9% to 78 cents. A dividend of 50 cents per share, payable in June was declared. CMH currently owns 67 vehicle dealerships countrywide representing franchises of various automotive companies as well as Navistar and UD Trucks heavy commercial vehicles. It also owns the specialist luxury used vehicle franchise, Investment Cars. CMH’s share price closed 0.4% higher at R12.55 on Wednesday.

This article was first published on MoneyWeb:

The post How New Car Prices Have Surged appeared first on Insurance Quotes 24.

All motorists need to ask themselves a few important questions.

• Could you find your way home without GPS?
• If your car should break down in the middle of nowhere, due to engine failure, a flat battery or some other issue, what would you do?
• How much driving do you do every day, and are you in close proximity to assistance in the event of an emergency?
• How old is your car, does it have a history of problems and what are they?
• What would you do if you or somebody with you sustains an injury?

Some people make pretty good use of their car’s storage space, others do not. We’ve put together a list of essential items to keep in your car for when the unexpected occurs. You probably wouldn’t need everything on this list, and some might not have the room for everything, but it’s always good to be as prepared as possible.

In the end, it all depends on how much time you spend in your car, and what purpose your car really serves. If you’re living in the city – in close proximity to all sorts of assistance in an emergency – you’ll probably find that your list of ‘essentials’ won’t be very long.

On the other hand, if you find yourself driving long, desolate roads through the Karoo, or winding through the mountains on a regular basis, you’ll probably want to look into some careful provisioning.

Without further ado…

While You’re Here: How To Behave At The Scene Of An Accident

The Absolute Essentials

There are a couple of items which every motorist should have in their vehicle at all times, without question. Some of these are incredibly obvious, but you’d be surprised at how many South Africans go about their lives without them. Excluding, of course, your driver’s licence and some extra cash on hand, these are:

• Emergency contact numbers in a notebook;
• A spare tyre, in good condition;
• A reliable carjack;
• Jumper cables;
• A wheel spanner, and a pair of work gloves;
• Your car’s user manual;
• A reflective triangle, to make your position visible in the dark;
• An affordable little toolkit. 

Building A Reliable Emergency Kit

A good first-aid kit is one of the most basic items everyone should possess, whether for home or your car. It should be stocked with the essential items you might need in the event of a medical emergency, such as gauze, bandages, band-aids, burn ointment, painkillers, antiseptic, disinfectant or even feminine hygiene products.

You can pick up great first-aid kits at any good pharmacy, and you can always replenish the items as you need them.

Survival

None of us are looking to go out and put all our Bear Grylls knowledge to use, but tricky situations could arise. You don’t want to end up stranded somewhere in the cold or the rain , starving, thirsty, lost and with no means of finding any help. So, sometimes you’ve just got to be prepared.

• A working flashlight with spare batteries;
• Snacks;
• Matches, a lighter or some other fire starter;
• A sharp knife;
• Adequate drinking water;
• A physical map book or street directory;
• A spare blanket and a warm jacket;
• Raincoat or umbrella;
• A car adapted charger for your phone, either USB or plugged into the lighter socket. A charged power bank also comes in handy;
• Comfortable walking shoes;
• An empty bottle or fuel canister. 

Beyond The Essentials

It’s always a good idea to have some sort of container on hand, in order to carry whatever you might need. Invest in a ruck sack or a gym bag – which will also allow you to keep all the smaller odds and ends of your essentials together in your boot. 

• A roll of duct tape and a pack of cable ties;
• A couple of spare headlight globes and fuses;
• Tow rope or cable;
• A tyre pressure guage;
• A tyre inflation kit;
• Pencil and notebook;
• A roll of toilet paper;
• Tyre sealant, to patch a small leak;
• A small fire extinguisher – particularly if you’re driving an old VW Beetle; 
• Spare motor oil and brake fluid;
• A small shovel. 

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The post The Absolute Essentials You Need In Your Car appeared first on Insurance Quotes 24.

According to OUTA and several others, these plans will not convince South African motorists to pay their e-toll bills, and will likely just make matters worse.  

If Sanral’s integrated report for the year (ended 31 March 2019) is anything to go by, then the above may very well have become reality, with the report showing over R1.84 billion in outstanding e-toll fees disregarded. 

In Case You Missed It: AARTO Demerit System Now Law

Writing Off Unpaid E-Toll Fees?

It has been widely reported that Sanral’s revenue from the e-tolls on the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) has declined by 63% from last year – dropping from R1.87 billion to R687.7 million. 

Though non-payment remains a large thorn in the company’s side, this massive decline in revenue is more likely due to Sanral’s recent change in accounting practices, replacing the IAS 18 method with the IFRS 15 method.

This gets a little complicated, so bear with us. 

The implementation of the IFRS 15 method, which includes a five-step assessment of revenue owed (such as the customer’s intention to pay), has resulted in R1.84 billion in outstanding e-toll fees being disregarded as ‘unlikely to be collected.’

Previously, Sanral treated all monies owed to it (regarding the e-toll system) as part of an unspoken contract with customers. You use the roads – you pay the e-tolls. 

The new method, however, is a lot more complicated in its determination of whether or not a contract exists with a road user before any revenue is recognised. Is the person able to pay their e-toll fees, and do they have any intention of doing so? 

It could be said, then, that in removing the change in accounting methods from the picture, the real decline in revenue was much closer to 0.4% – from R690 million to R687.7 million. 

Though these numbers certainly paint a far prettier picture, we cannot disregard the fact that a massive portion of money owed has been written off because people just flat-out refuse to pay the bill. The fact that Sanral has resigned itself to disregarding this debt shows that the company may finally have accepted its fate.

To be clear; Sanral still expects motorists to honour their e-toll debts. The company’s hopes of them doing so, however, have taken a massive blow.  

In Case You Missed It: E-Toll Write-Off Scheme Labelled ‘Delusional’

Sanral’s Mounting Debt

According to OUTA, current compliance levels for paying e-tolls are about 20%. This means that the system is failing to collect almost R250 million per month.

As per OUTA CEO, Wayne Duvenage:

” The administrative environment in South Africa will never support an efficient e-toll scheme and it is time for our government to realise this, as have other countries around the world which abandoned their failed e-toll schemes. “

Sanral’s non-toll portfolio, making up 87% of its business, is reportedly entirely debt-free and healthy. Its total toll portfolio debt (the remaining 13% of the company’s business operations), however, has climbed to a staggering R47 billion. 

Regarding the measures being taken to manage the toll portfolio’s financial crisis, the company said:

” Sanral has budgeted to internalise the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) risk with the transfer of R2.53bn for the next three years. “

Sanral has received a R439 million grant from the government, in addition to a R5.75 billion non-toll grant, to address the shortfall caused by e-toll under-payment. Until a resolution to the e-toll stalemate has been found, the company’s toll portfolio will likely continue to find support in these government grants. 

The taxpayer pays for the e-tolls, one way or another.

It’s important to note, as pointed out by Duvenage, that motorist non-payment hasn’t been out of spite or ignorance, but is largely due to an unwillingness to subsidise an inefficient system. Citizens lack trust in the government on the e-toll decision. 

” The public are fully aware that this infrastructure must ultimately be paid for by society, but we are not willing to pay for grossly inefficient systems that have extremely high administrative costs. “

The end may very well be in sight.

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The post Is Sanral Really Writing Off Unpaid E-Toll Debt? appeared first on Insurance Quotes 24.

If you’re anything like the author of this article, or just a regular human being, then you hate cleaning. Number one hack to spring cleaning your home? Hire a cleaning company. Done. You never need to clean anything ever again.

But if you’re the opposite of this author – that means you’re not lazy. That means you’re thrifty and wise. That means the following hacks might come in handy when you’re de-cluttering and polishing and reorganising your home this spring. First, a couple of tips: 

1. Useful Things To Remember 

1. To avoid getting what you just cleaned dirty again, work from the top down, inside to outside. Likewise, if you’re going to dust or shake anything out, do so before vacuuming or sweeping. 
2. Try not to stand your brooms on their bristles. It will change their shape over time and diminish their effectiveness. Instead, invest in a broom holder. They’re also more hygienic and take up less space. 
3. Do one room at a time to avoid a catastrophic failure in morale. The satisfaction of seeing one room sparkle will make the hard work feel like it’s worth the effort. Leave no job unfinished. 
4. When cleaning a room, start at the doorway and make your way around the room in whichever direction you prefer. Carry a trash bag with you and toss anything you need to. Stick to one task at a time, unless… 
5. If one task is taking up a lot of time, such as the laundry or the dishwasher, you may as well do something else in the meanwhile. 
6. Set some time aside beforehand to compile a mean Spring Cleaning Playlist. Good music will get you through it. Cleaning out the spaces we frequent most can be likened to cleaning out your mind. 

2. The Many Uses Of Baking Soda

Baking soda (bicarbonate of soda or sodium bicarbonate) is a salt composed of sodium and bicarbonate ions. It has tons of uses, but here are some of our favourites. 

1. Place an open container with baking soda in your fridge to absorb any unpleasant odours. You could also use baking soda to make your own refrigerator deodourizer. 
2. Sprinkle some at the bottom of your bin and trash bag to help keep odours down. 
3. Three parts baking soda to one part water makes a great paste to clean silver with. Rub the paste onto each item, and then rinse with warm water and dry immediately. 
4. Smelly shoes? Baking soda! Shake some in and then shake them out before wearing. 
5. To clean oily hair brushes and combs, soak them in a solution of baking soda and water. One teaspoon in a small basin of water ought to do it. Rinse and allow drying. 
6. Avoid clogged drains by pouring a quarter cup baking soda into your drain and adding half a cup of vinegar. Watch it bubble then flush with hot water. 
7. Add half a cup of baking soda to your usual amount of laundry detergent to give you whiter whites and brighter colours. A lot of people put some on their toothbrush to whiten their teeth. 
8. Baking soda can also be used to deodourize carpets or mattresses. Sprinkle, leave for a little while and vacuum. Add some cinnamon to the baking powder to give your carpets a really nice, fresh smell. 

Insuring your home is the best way to protect your worldly possessions! Find the best quote for you here! 

3. How To Get Wax Out Of Your Carpet

Got a romantic side to you, or perhaps you like throwing fancy dinner parties? Ever dozed off on the couch with the candles going? Well, if you haven’t burnt your house down by now, you might have a bit of wax to clean up. This trick works great on carpets, table cloths and most other fabrics. 

1. Get your iron out and set it on low. Then place a sheet of paper over the wax spot. Any kind of paper should do the trick, by the way. 
2. Place the iron onto the area with the wax spot for a few seconds. 
3. After a while, the low iron heat melts the wax, and you’ll see that the paper has begun to absorb it. 
4. Move the paper around a bit and repeat the process over and over until all the wax has been lifted. This should only require a single sheet of paper, no scraping or pulling or damaginf your carpet. 

4. The Microwave Trick

1. Slice up a lemon and put it into a microwave safe bowl with some water and a splash of white vinegar. 
2. Place the bowl in the microwave and cook on HIGH for five minutes. 
3. After that, let the bowl sit for a further five minutes. Remove it very carefully and then wipe down the interior of the microwave with a damp cloth. Any grime or food stuck there should come away clean without any hassle. Plus, it leaves your microwave smelling fresh.If the thought of using a dirty sponge to do your cleaning grosses you out – and it probably should – then here’s another microwave tip. Simply saturate your sponges with water and a bit of lemon juice and put them in the microwave on high for about two minutes. This will help sanitize and kill any bacteria contained in the sponge. 

5. Cleaning Your Blinds

1. For this tip, you’ll need vinegar and water in a bowl and an old sock. If you don’t like getting your hands dirty, a pair of tongs would work too. Begin by soaking the sock in the vinegar / water mixture. 
2. Slip an old sock over your hand (or tongs) – kind of like a sock puppet – and wipe down each individual slat on the blinds. Easy. After every couple of slats, dip the sock on your hand into the cleaner and squeeze it a bit to rinse off the dirt. 
3. If you have a second old sock, you can use this to dry off each slat once they’ve been cleaned. Using this technique is way easier than trying to clean it with a bulky dischcloth. 

6. Cleaning Your Mirrors and Windows

Blackboard erasers are a great way to get rid of marks or streaks on any window. If you don’t have one – good old newspaper has always worked wonders on glass. Roll a sheet up into a ball and buff away. If you want to avoid getting ink on your hands (never seen this actually happen, but people have mentioned it) then a coffee filter works just as well. The term ‘DIY Window Cleaner’ might have you rolling your eyes and running back to your Windowlene, but we’ve got a great recipe. Two parts water to one part soap and one part white vinegar. That’s it. After spraying and wiping your windows down, rinse with clean water to avoid any soapy film staying behind.  Rubbing alcohol will remove any old stickers your children might have decorated your lounge window with. When it comes to mirrors, we’ve got a trick that will keep them fog-free. Lather your bathroom mirror up with some shaving foam and wipe it clean with a cloth. Shaving foam doesn’t only remove smears, but also prevents your mirror fogging up every time you take a shower. The magic behind this is simple soap. 

Do you need to increase the value of your property, here are 10 home improvement ideas to do just that! 

7. The Hanger Trick

Wanna tackle your closet? There’s a simple trick to determine which of your clothing you actually use and what’s just taking up space. Start by putting all your clothing on hangers, with them hanging the wrong way – backwards. As you use something and put it back – hang it the right way. Give it two or three months. After that period, you should know what you really use and what’s disposable. Donate it to charity. If you’re hoarding any winter clothing or clothing for special occasions – vacuum sealing it all in a bag is a great way to save space. If you’re using drawers instead of cupboards – some people swear by stacking their t-shirts vertically, not horizontally. Also, if you’re like us and all your fitted sheets are rolled up in a ball in the top of your cupboard – here’s how to fold it properly: 

8. Remove Water Rings With A Hair Dryer

If you’re living la vida loca and not bothering with things like coasters, sooner or later you’ll find nasty, pale rings all over your wooden surfaces. These are formed from condensation. Your glasses, bottles, beer cans, etc leave them behind over time and they’re an eyesore. Luckily, you won’t need to trash these. Just hold a hair dryer on the highest setting close to the ring and you should see it disappearing after a few minutes. Once it’s gone, you can rub in a bit of mineral or olive oil to recondition the wood. 

9. Getting That Smoke Smell Out   

1. Charcoal helps to absorb the odour of smoke. Leave a bowl or two of charcoal in your room for a few days. Kind of like a morbid potpourri.  
2. Dust your furniture or car seats with baking soda and leave it overnight before vacuuming. This will help to absorb the odours. 
3. Kitty Litter, halved apples or citrus peel and even crumpled newspaper are also said to absorb the smell of smoke. 

10. Cleaning Up Pet Hair

Cleaning up the carpet of hair they leave behind can be a tough job. If you don’t have a lint roller – a window squeegee is a fantastic tool to use. They remove pet hair from sofas in a matter of seconds. If you don’t have a squeegee, wrapping tape around your hand (sticky side up) can be used to remove hair or lint from your clothing. Another trick is to use a pair of rubber gloves. Give your furniture a rub down with the gloves on and your pet’s hair will stick to them. The faster the better – get some static going. Afterwards, just rinse them off under the tap outside. 

Random Tips To Help You Along 

• Pulling a stocking over the end of your vacuum can help you filter out any large objects you might have under your bed, such as lost earrings. 
• A spare toothbrush for cleaning really comes in handy. Use it for grouting between tiles, hard to reach places, trimming and even scrubbing your keyboard keys. 
• Lint rollers are a godsend. Invest in one. You can use it to clean your clothing, couches and even lampshades – which we tend to overlook in the spring. 
• If you have a dishwasher, you can use it to sanitize your children’s plastic toys. 
• Keeping your kitchen sink dry will keep it hygienic. Wipe it down with a clean, dry cloth after using. 
• Lemon, baking soda, white vinegar and coarse salt are your best friends when it comes to cleaning your home. It helps to keep them around – and they work out way cheaper than most cleaning materials.

Combining home and car insurance can reduce the overall amount you are spending each month! Find out here!

The post 10 Hacks To Spring Clean Your Home appeared first on Insurance Quotes 24.

The country reeled from the news. News stations and social media alike descended into frenzied panic over the news, and calls for President Zuma to fall increased. The Rand was also affected by the news, taking a sharp drop to R13.70, but ended up stabilising slightly toward the end of the day.

This, however, is not expected to last too long. Analysts state the more bad news is on the way. The other rating agency, Moodys is also expected to downgrade the country to junk.

Read More about the Gordhan/Zuma controversy below

Simplifying The Downgrade

Let’s imagine that South Africa is a living, breathing human. This human has a job, credit cards, a home and a car. Due to some malpractice and reckless behaviour at work, this person is demoted, and will start earning less. With the lower income, this person will battle to get a loan and more credit. They will also start paying more interest on the existing debt that they have. Because less people trust them with money, they will essentially be earning less and paying more. In essence, this person will need to start working pretty hard to regain confidence.

This is essentially what is happening with the South African economy. The news of the sacking of Gordhan, together with the other Ministers sent investors packing their bags. Gordhan and his deputy had been working incredibly hard to win over investors by convincing them that South Africa was a good place for them to place their money. It was during these presentations to investors in fact, that Gordhan was called back. If that doesn’t kill the confidence of investors, we don’t know what would!

CLICK BELOW to read about how car insurance premiums are increasing due to SA’s new junk status.

Who Is Standard and Poor’s?

So, who is this company who has decided that our credit rating deserves to be among the lowest in the world? Standard and Poor’s is a rating agency that has been providing financial market intelligence internationally for the last 150 years. It is the leading index provider and is an independent provider of credit ratings. It is among the three top rating agencies in the world, including Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch Ratings. You will recall that last year, there were that Moody’s was going to downgrade us.

What Does This Mean For You

Although the news of the downgrade is bad news for the economy, the most impacted will be small and medium businesses for now. The short-term pinch will not be felt by individuals just yet, however, this might not last too long.  

 Short-term, citizens will be only be watching for a change in the Rand. The long term effects could impact households a bit more. The downgrade will eventually push lenders and financial institutions to push up their interest rates. Therefore, should you have a home loan, credit card or are financing a car, your repayments on these could be going up

A long-term effect could also see the value of the Rand declining. This could, in turn, have a huge impact on the cost of food and imported good. Should the Rand go into freefall, which is entirely possible, it could hit the R16 or R17/$. If this does happen, basic living costs will start soaring. With the Rand value dropping, the price of petrol will increase. That translates into higher food costs and a higher cost of living for ordinary South Africans.

NEW to CompareGuru, CLICK BELOW To Compare Car Insurance In 60 Seconds

Not only will this happen, but interest rates will increase. So, not only will you be paying more for basic living, but you might be placed in a position where you will struggle to pay for your car, home and credit cards.

Another long term effect is the increase of taxes (again). Government currently borrows money to pay for its debt. Banks and financial institutions are not allowed to invest in junk status debt. So the government will need to find the funding somewhere, most likely from its citizens, thus increasing taxes.

Essentially, the heightened political risk of the government has severely devalued the economy and might eventually put ordinary citizens like you and I, in severe amounts of debt.  

The post SA is in Junk Status and This is What it Means appeared first on Insurance Quotes 24.

This ability to tap into that criminal psyche aids them in catching criminals, understanding criminals and preventing crime altogether. And it can help you too. 

Let’s take a look at how thinking like a house burglar, and knowing all of their tricks, can prevent you from becoming a victim.

While You’re Here: The Most Hijacked Vehicles In SA 2019

Robbery Stats In South Africa

The annual SAPS Crime Stats for the 2018/2019 period were recently released, stating that 22 431 cases of robbery at residential properties were reported during this time.

According to a News 24 poll run last year, nearly 70% of South Africans don’t feel safe at night. 

Movies and television would have us believe that as soon as we close our eyes to get some sleep, a man dressed in black with a ski mask over his head will crawl through one of our windows. While this usually isn’t the case, home invasion is still a very real threat in South Africa. 

Based on interviews with numerous robbers, Dr Rudolph Zinn of UNISA conducted some research a year or two ago and came up with the following stats:

• 77% of residential robberies are committed with the help of household employees;
• Criminals will monitor your home for as long as two weeks;
• Most attacks occur between 20:00 and Midnight while security systems are deactivated and people are relaxed, sleeping, cooking or watching TV. Robberies can continue until 04:00;
• 97% of robbers are armed;
• On average, an armed robbery gang has four members;
• Three out of ten robbers have already committed murder, or won’t hesitate to commit murder;
• Only 17% of house robbers are foreigners;
• Most targets are affluent persons who openly display their wealth. For example, wearing valuable jewellery;
• The average robber commits 103 robberies over seven years before getting caught;
• Most of the criminal’s homes or bases are 10 to 30 minutes’ drive from the target address;
• The conviction rate for house robberies in South Africa, at the time of research, was only 7.67%;
• Criminals are not really deterred by alarms and armed reaction services.

Other noteworthy stats include that home burglaries and robberies occur most frequently between Thursdays and Saturdays, and see a dramatic spike in the months of April, July, August and December.

There has also been an increase in the number of reports where entry to the house was gained through the garage.

While the cover of darkness certainly leads to a spike in crime, many incidents still happen during the day, while we’re out at work and the house is empty.  

So, what do criminals look for in a target, and how can you prevent from becoming one yourself?

While You’re Here: The Stats Are In! Beware The Latest Hijack Hotspots

Think Like A Burglar – Could You Break Into Your Own Home?

Logically, burglars would prefer to have your house to themselves. This is the fundamental difference between burglary and robbery – the presence of the victim. 

Though armed robbery is on the rise, burglary still occurs far more often. 

According to the recent Crime Stats, 22 431 (up from last year’s 22 261) cases of robbery at residential premises were reported. By comparison, the same period saw 220 865 (marginally down from last year’s 228 094) cases of home burglary reported.

The worst five areas for robbery were listed as Ivory Park (373 cases), Honeydew (329), Nyanga (266), Mondeor (223) and Sandton (221).

The five worst areas for burglary were listed as Witbank (1363 cases), Park Road (1344), Honeydew (1264), Plessislaer (1219) and Inanda (1033).

Many home burglaries happen fast, with the thief in and out within about 10 minutes. They know what they want, they know where you’ve hidden it and they know how to make a quick getaway. Here are some more statistics to be aware of:

• Single-family detached homes are a favourite target. There are more access points, less people to control and more places to hide;
• Houses in the middle of the row are also at greater risk. Houses on the corner have higher visibility from the road;
• Burglars will scout a neighbourhood by moving from house to house ringing doorbells and intercoms to see if anybody is home;
• Small dogs, particularly those that stay indoors, remain the biggest deterrent to burglars;
• Burglars prefer to avoid low walls or wire fences. You may think that high walls protect you, but all they really do is provide the burglar with cover;
• Sliding doors are easy access points;
• Having a good neighbourhood watch in your area can be a major deterrent. Burglars and robbers will scout the area beforehand;
• 77% of the time, the criminals have received inside information from your domestic worker, gardener or builder;
• People who advertise home businesses or the sale of a car are likely to be targeted. They are more likely to have cash on the premises;
• Unsecured garden equipment such as shovels, axes or picks could be used as weapons against you.

What Does A Burglar Look For?

Recent stats show that the most commnonly-stolen items during a burglary are electronics. The latest tech, gadgets, gaming systems, laptops and tablets are all easy to grab and carry away.  

Chances are pretty good, however, that items such as cash, jewellery and prescription medicine will also be targeted. This last one is what makes the elderly such a popular target. 

Thieves will sweep all the hiding spots you thought were very clever. Your underwear drawer, vases, suitcases, liquor cabinets, office drawers, under the mattress, medicine cabinets and even the freezer. 

Sport collectibles are high on the list, and so are fine wines. Some thieves have taste. Guns, locked away in portable safes or stashed irresponsibly in your bedside table, are also high on the list. 

The large flat-screen television box you left outside by your dustbin may alert burglars to the fact that you’ve got some money to throw around – and they’ll be having that television. If they can carry it. 

If you’ve left your car and car keys at home in the garage – which is a common entry and exit point – they’ll be having that as well. While in the garage, expensive tools, collectibles or bicycles are also on the list. 

Other sought-after items include designer clothing or handbags. Savvy burglars, if they know their way around your office, may even make off with the gift that keeps on giving – your identity. Some people keep all of their important documents or financial details stashed somewhere in their home.

While You’re Here: Household vs Building Insurance

What You Can Do To Deter A Criminal

Take a walk around your home at night. If you can see in through the curtains – so can the burglar. If you can break into your house without much effort – so can the burglar. Perhaps you have a routine, which is exactly the same, each and every day. Anybody watching you would have picked up on this, and they love how predictable you are. 

If you don’t have dogs, another solution is to keep your television on during the day, when you’re away. This gives the impression that somebody may be home, and could deter criminals. It goes without saying that you should always keep your doors and security gates locked. If you have anybody under employment at your residence, never share too much information about your personal business with them. 

Remember that the second storey of your home isn’t burglar proof. They will erect scaffolding in your garden if they have to, so make sure to have these windows burglar-proofed as well. 

If you think the freezer is a great place to hide your jewels – the burglar knows all about this. He’ll go through each and every Tupperware. 

Though an alarm system doesn’t always deter a criminal from entering your home – you should definitely have one. Particularly an alarm around your perimeter or on your gate. Invest in motion-sensor floodlights.

Thieves have ways around electric fences, but they don’t like them. Electric fences are the first line of defence. CCTV cameras are also big deterrents. 

According to the recent stats, the breaking and forcing of locks were the second highest (threatening being the first) form of gaining entry to the property. Any lock, besides a deadbolt, is easily disengaged. Invest in sturdy deadbolts for your doors and access points. 

Enlist in your neighbourhood watch and never, ever post your whereabouts on social media. Wait until you’re home before you post your vacation photos. 

According to the recent stats, the third highest form of gaining entry to the property was, in fact, being let inside by the victims themselves under false pretences. Always be vigilant and never grant anybody entry to your home unless you are absolutely certain that it is safe to do so.

Don’t let your mailbox overflow – this may be seen as a sign that you’re never present. 

And finally, it’s always a good idea to protect your biggest, most expensive investments with homeowner’s insurance.

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The post Think Like A Burglar And Avoid Becoming A Victim appeared first on Insurance Quotes 24.

If you’re a parent, then you know the feeling when your children get hold of your smartphone to play games (which they probably downloaded when you weren’t looking) or access the internet.

One of the biggest concerns, as a parent, is ensuring that your kids are safe and not accessing any undesirable content when online.

The other concern is that they could rack up unknown charges on your credit card while they’re playing a game.

There are ways to prevent your children from accessing sites and services that they shouldn’t be using. The most obvious way is to set up a pin or pass code on your device. But, let’s be honest, your kids will probably figure out what it is before you even realise what’s happening.

Fingerprint or biometric scanners are a great way to prevent unauthorised usage or access. So, we’d recommend enabling it on your smartphone, if it has a fingerprint scanner (which many new phones do have).

iDevices

If you’re using an Apple device (iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch), there are means of restricting access to your device/s while they’re being used. This allows access to certain apps, functions, and sites, but prohibits other types of content and unauthorised apps, and / or in-app purchases.

In order to do this, you’ll need to activate Restrictions on your iDevice:

Tap Settings > General > Restrictions

Scroll down and tap Restrictions, then tap Enable Restrictions.

Create a Restrictions passcode. You need your Restrictions passcode (which you would have set up the first time you used Restrictions) to change your settings or to turn off Restrictions.

To see a list of apps and features that you can restrict, go to Settings > General > Restrictions. To turn restrictions on or off, tap the slider next to the app or feature.

Restrictions works with a host of apps and features including Safari, iTunes Store, Camera (including FaceTime) as well as prohibiting the installation and deletion of apps.

Android

Google’s Android OS does have parental controls, but they only tend to work on app and content purchases.

This prevents your children from downloading any undesirable apps and prevents them from making any in-app purchases.

Once you set up parental controls, you can turn them on or off.

To set up parent controls on your Android device, you’ll need to open the Play Store app on your Android device:

1. In the top left corner, touch Menu > Settings > Parental controls.
2. Turn Parental controls On.
3. Create a PIN that users need to enter to change your parental control settings. It’s recommended to use a PIN your family doesn’t already know.
4. Choose your filters:
   • Apps, Games, Movies, and TV: Choose the highest maturity level of content you want to allow for download or purchase.
   • Music and Books: Choose whether you want to restrict downloads or purchases of explicit content.
5. Parental controls only apply to the device you added them on. To add parental controls on another device, repeat these steps on your other device. If you have multiple users on a device, you can set up different parental controls for each one.

NB: Parental controls for each type of content aren’t available in every country. If you travel to a country where they aren’t available, they may not work until you get back home.

Use a Different Profile

Another way to childproof your device is to set up a different profile for them on the smartphone or tablet.

This functionality is available on most devices running Android Jelly Bean (4.2) and up.

To do this you’d need to go to:

Settings > Device > Users.

If you have a young child, we recommend that you set up a restricted profile. This lets you control what appears on that profile.

If you feel that your child is responsible enough to use your profile, you might want to download App Lock from the Google Play Store. It lets you lock content like SMS, Contacts, Gmail, Facebook, Gallery, Calls, Settings, and more. It also lets you hide pictures and videos.

Giving your children access to the internet and apps to help develop learning and skills is important in the 21st century. But, with that much access comes the need to ensure that your children are safe online.

The post How To Activate Parental Controls On Your Smartphone appeared first on Insurance Quotes 24.

Maybe you are a health-conscious gym bunny that counts their calories on a smartwatch or a gadget-hungry tech-head that wants the simplicity of a fitness tracker within a smartphone. It’s becoming evident that wearable technology is becoming more popular.

According to Statista.com, a 5.2% annual growth increase from wearable technology revenue is expected in South Africa in 2018. This will lead to a $102 million market with user penetration expected to hit 6,2% by 2022.

Let’s break down everything you need to know about wearables.
 

Types Of Wearable Technology

Wearable tech has made our lives easier; it’s improving our health and our efficiency. There are various wearables technologies available to suit just about every pocket.

We took a look at three of them that are predominantly used in data collection for life insurance:
 

Smart Watches

Smart watches have been at the forefront of wearable technology since it was first introduced on 7 February 2000. Apart from the fact that they inform users of new messages, emails and social media, they have the ability to turn the most hardened couch potato into the fittest athlete, well, that’s the intention.

Smart watches come with a lot of add-ons such as motion sensors and heart rate monitors. Once synced with a smartphone or computer, they are able to share data with life insurance companies. In return, your health stays in check, your premiums are lowered and you get rewarded.
 

Fitness Trackers

Fitness Trackers such as the Fitbit Alta HR and the Samsung Gear Fit 2 Pro are commonly used when tracking fitness data for life insurance purposes. There has been a lot of hype around the “king” of fitness trackers; Fitbit. For those who are still not in the know, Fitbit is a physical activity tracker that helps you become more active, eat a balanced diet and sleep better.  

Injectable Sensors

Injectable sensors are the newest wearable technology that has taken the world by storm. Their purpose is to track your health via a small sensor that is injected under the skin. One of the most popular wearables is the Dexcom G6. This nifty device tracks your blood sugar levels if you have diabetes, and can tell you when your health is in danger. The need to do a finger prick every day is also minimised as the device has shown accuracy in blood sugar readings when synced with your smartphone.  

How Could Life Insurance And Wearables Work Together?

The use of wearable technology is still in an infancy stage, however, a lot of consumers are starting to see the benefit it has on their life insurance premiums. Wearable tech has the potential of giving you real-time health indicators, and therefore real-time risk profiles.

We chatted to Matt Riley from Indie, and he had the following to say about wearables.
 

” Wearable technology has the potential of giving you real-time health indicators, and therefore real-time risk profiles. The potential is there to offer highly customised premiums meaning a much fairer spread of risk and price to all. The big advantage is twofold , clients are informed (and incentivized) about their state of health and more stuff can therefore be prevented or treated before it becomes more serious. “

Other benefits of the wearable technology include:  

Lower Your Life Insurance Premiums

Insurance companies are tapping into wearable technology to help their customers stay active and healthy, by doing so your insurance premiums can be lowered considerably based on your risk profile.

Riley agreed with the impact of accurate, real-time and trackable data on your life insurance premiums.
 

” For the insurer ,the advantage is that they get ongoing information about the health of the client as opposed to a snapshot at policy inception only. Providers would use that to price more accurately, they couldn’t use that to cancel a policyholder’s cover for instance once they have been diagnosed with a serious disease, but it may get more expensive. The flip side is as your risk decreases so should your premium. “

Patient Engagement

Patient engagement is a key driver in collecting data that will enable life insurance companies to accurately assess your claim. Wearables can provide greater convenience and functionality at a much lower cost. These tools give patients, doctors and insurers the right information at the right time. So, whether it comes to saving a life due to accurate, timely information or assisting at claim stage, accurate information is imperative. 

Improving The Obesity Epidemic

Wearable tech can be used to increase physical activity and health among consumers who are at risk of obesity and other non-communicable diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. It encourages people to get active even if it is for a short period of time. 

” Some people need tangible motivation beyond the reward of simply living longer and feeling better, so yes, it helps encourage healthier behaviour across a broader group. “

The Disadvantage Of Using Wearable Technology

Much like a smartphone, wearable tech has its disadvantages, especially in the life insurance sector. Riley agreed that together with the advantages, there are a few downfalls of wearables.   

” At the moment, wearable tech can be hacked or cheated to give the impression of activity. In the future, it will more closely be linked to biometric authentication to ensure the user is the person performing the healthy behaviour and delivering the data. Just this month devices like the new Apple watch has EKG and fall detection built into it, which are live signals of one’s health or threat status. “

There are various other problems that could possibly impact the customer. 

Inaccurate Data Measurements

Accuracy is one of the top priorities when it comes to wearable tech. A lack of insight from data is a common reason why most consumers ditch their trackers. In the event that you died of a heart attack and there was no data available, there could be a negative impact on your claim in the future.
 

Short Battery Life

Battery life is crucial when it comes to wearable technology, most work in combination with a smartphone or tablet. This means that they need to be charged at least once a day in order for one device to sync with the other.
 

Security

Sharing electronic data raises potential security issues. While it can save on your insurance premiums, unauthorised access to your medical and health data is still a big cause for concern. Many consumers are unaware that poorly managed information can be stolen through a data breach and sold to unscrupulous organisations.
 

As the world evolves technologically, our lives become more dependent on it. With this holding both advantages and disadvantages to our individual lives, we ask, how are you going to be using wearables to improve your life?
 

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The post How Wearable Technology Is Influencing Your Life Insurance appeared first on Insurance Quotes 24.