TIPS ON INSURANCE DURING THE HOLIDAY PERIOD

The excitement of holiday travel is just around the corner. To ensure your peace of mind and

protection, it is essential to take the necessary steps before embarking on your trip. At Bank

Gaborone, we prioritise your well-being, the safety of your family, and the security of your

belongings. Therefore, we highly recommend that you consider the following precautions and

options, to guarantee adequate insurance coverage during your holiday adventures.

1. Are you planning to travel abroad?

Consider purchasing travel insurance to safeguard and protect yourself against any potential

issues that may occur before or during your trip. Travel insurance offers assistance in

compensating for trip cancellations or interruptions due to unforeseen circumstances such as lost,

stolen, or damaged luggage, medical emergencies, and missed or delayed flights. If you are a

Bank Gaborone client with a personal card and plan to travel abroad, you can contact our nearest

branch to activate the travel insurance policy before taking the trip.

?

2. Any plans to travel using your vehicle?

Road trips can be unpredictable, and it is important to obey road signs and speed limits. Being

road-compliant can save your life and the lives of other road users. Taking precautions is

important. Make sure you are well-rested before getting on the road, and do not drink and drive,

as the insurer will not cover the car if it gets into an accident. We understand that mistakes and

accidents happen, this is why your vehicle needs to be comprehensively insured against

accidental damage, third-party liability, theft, and fire damage. It is also essential to install a

tracking device from an approved service provider in your vehicle, especially with the increased

rate of motor theft. For vehicles with values of P500,000 and above, it is mandatory to install a

tracking device to be covered for theft.

?

3. Know your territorial limits when traveling outside the country

The majority of insurance companies in Botswana can only provide motor insurance cover when

traveling in Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique.

If you are planning to travel outside the countries listed on your policy schedule, please inform

your insurance company so that they can provide you with adequate cover and arrange for a

confirmation of your cross-country cover letter.

?

4. Are you leaving your home unoccupied?

One of the most common crimes that happen during the holidays is house burglary. To protect

your house contents, you need to purchase house contents cover, which will indemnify you

against theft and damage to your house contents. Furthermore, you need house owners' insurance

cover, which will indemnify you against fire, floods, storm damage, and any other natural

disasters that might damage your house. Other tips for securing your home would be to install a

security alarm system, ensure all doors and windows are locked, use motion sensor lights, or

leave your outside lights on. It also helps to be part of a neighborhood watch group, as members

can keep an eye on your property while you are away.

?

5. Pay attention to your surroundings

Stay aware of your surroundings and keep a sharp eye on your belongings. We recommend using

luggage locks and keeping your valuable gadgets in a safe lock or lockbox. The insurer will not

compensate you for stolen gadgets left unattended in a vehicle on the passenger seat, so we

advise you to put them in your vehicle's trunk and ensure the vehicle is locked.

Having to spend money on unplanned expenses can be very taxing, especially when you are on

holiday or returning from a holiday. By taking these precautions and ensuring you are

comprehensively insured, you will be guaranteed peace of mind. If you have any questions or

concerns about your insurance policies, please contact us at 3671500 or email us at

[email protected], or reach out to your insurance provider for more information.