Intermediary blog
The advantages of fire sprinkler systems for businesses
Intermediary blog
Reduce the risk of business damage with a fire sprinkler system
Intermediary blog
A savings mind-set: choosing quality insurance over price
With a new year upon us and the January blues setting in, you probably have many clients tightening their belts and trying to cut costs. Often, insurance is the first budget item to be closely scrutinised as clients start shopping around for cheaper cover.
Intermediary blog
Minimising risk over the holiday season
Learn how to protect your clients against risk and losses with these holiday safety tips.
Intermediary blog
The importance of data in creating scientific pricing models
Modern insurance, based on the principle of risk transference and risk pooling, started as far back as the 17th century.
Intermediary blog
New features on our easy self-service online claims portal
Claims time is crunch time, which is why Santam is constantly coming up with new ways to make the claims process quick and easy
Intermediary blog
10 exciting ways drones are transforming businesses
In recent years, drones have gone from military apparatus to infiltrating almost every type of industry under the sun, including agriculture. Besides being seen as a cool novelty, businesses are starting to realise how these remotely piloted aircrafts can help them save costs, boost operational efficiency, and open up new streams of revenue.
Intermediary blog
The vital role intermediaries play in delivering insurance good and proper
At Santam, we celebrate the vital role intermediaries play in delivering insurance good and proper to our clients.
Intermediary blog
What is the internet of things - and how it will change business
With 50 billion connected devices in existence by 2020, the Internet of Things (IoT) is exploding. We give you the lowdown on the opportunities and risks your clients should watch out for.
Intermediary blog
How new regulations can improve the way you do business
The RDR (Retail Distribution Review) process is driving a number of regulatory reforms that are impacting revenue streams, governance processes, data exchange and system integration requirements.
Intermediary blog
Risk management key for business longevity – insurance for the hospitality industry
Things have been somewhat up and down for clients in the hospitality industry in the last few years but PwC has reported a positive outlook for 2017 to 2021. Despite safety and security concerns, global economic factors and changing visa regulations, international visitor numbers to South Africa have recovered significantly from a 6,8% decrease in 2015 to a 12,8% increase in 2016. Domestic tourism is also an important source of revenue and employment, contributing 52% of total tourism consumption.
Intermediary blog
Health & safety practices: more than just good housekeeping
General good housekeeping is everyone’s responsibility, it’s important to make clients aware that managing risk and safety in the workplace will help avoid injury, liability claims and business interruption.
Intermediary blog
Why public liability cover - and how much is enough?
The cost of replacing physical property can easily be determined through adequate valuations. However, the financial cost of a potential third party claim is something that is incredibly difficult to foresee.
Intermediary blog
How drones are revolutionising crop management and production
Drones have become more than simple devices to take pictures from the sky. From package deliveries and logistics to data analysis and content creation, drone-based business opportunities abound.
Intermediary blog
Hot work permit system: a crucial part of commercial fire safety management
A commercial property fire not only threatens lives but also a business’ assets and ability to continue operating. As an intermediary, you play an important role in helping clients manage their fire risk and set up a comprehensive fire safety management policy.
Intermediary blog
Intermediaries: adding value far beyond a good price
Santam has been in the business of insurance good and proper for 101 years. During that time we’ve seen first-hand how the expert advice of our intermediaries transform the lives of policyholders and their businesses.
Intermediary blog
How to help commercial clients avoid the pitfalls of under-insurance
Commercial insurance is essential to protect the assets and finances of a company, yet often it is viewed as a complicated and expensive responsibility. The South African commercial sector is traditionally underinsured, and commercial insurance continues to come under pressure due the slow recovery of the economy.
Intermediary blog
We know how important the intermediary’s role is in the world of insurance
Providing simplicity in a world of increasing complexity is more important than ever.
Intermediary blog
Damaged cars: Easy, online claims for intermediaries
Claims time is crunch time - both for clients and intermediaries - which is why Santam is constantly working at new ways to make the claims process, for damaged cars, quick and easy. We have an experienced claims team on standby to assist you, around the clock, and we have dedicated online services (our broker portal) designed to simplify claims registrations.
Intermediary blog
Legal liability insurance for farmers: how to ensure sufficient cover
Agriculture GDP growth is slow in the current short term and the performance of South African agriculture is heavily influenced by climatic conditions. The on-going drought has brought a lot more focus onto our farmers, the tough conditions they are facing and just how important this sector is both for the economy and our survival. From mega farmers running businesses worth hundreds of millions of rands to the small subsistence farmer, many agricultural businesses are looking at alternative means to increase their income – whether it’s branching out into game farming or tourism. New ventures require different skills - especially when farming with livestock and/or crops – and these activities bring about legal liability risks.
Intermediary blog
How to future-proof your business
As an intermediary, you experience the same vulnerabilities as any other business in South Africa: a weakened rand, political instability and an uncertain trading environment. That’s why Santam is committed to helping you flourish with a few sure-fire ideas on future-proofing your intermediary business.
Intermediary blog
The power of risk assessment expertise: in the palm of your hand
As an intermediary, you experience the same vulnerabilities as any other business in South Africa: a weakened rand, political instability and an uncertain trading environment. That’s why Santam is committed to helping you flourish with a few sure-fire ideas on future-proofing your intermediary business.
Intermediary blog
Blockchain and smart contracts: revolutionising the insurance industry
Blockchain technology is heralded as the biggest symbol of the fourth industrial revolution and the next big disruptor for many industries, including insurance. While still in its infancy, this ‘business unusual’ technology can streamline paperwork, increase data security and save businesses costs by cutting out time consuming claims processes. We look at all the ways in which blockchain technology will benefit you – especially so-called ‘smart contracts’.
Intermediary blog
Business interruption: know the pitfalls, know the risks
The impact of an unforeseen event can have a serious effect on a client’s fixed expenses as well as the ability to carry on supplying goods and/or services to customers. Business interruption insurance exists to help a business get back on its feet after an unforeseen event. It’s a crucial survival tactic and should be seen as a vital part of a continuity plan for a business. It insures a business against loss of revenue and helps it to continue to pay overheads and expenses such as rental during a period of downtime. Business interruption insurance helps a business return to the same financial position it was in prior to an incident.
Intermediary blog
Boost your cybercrime protection – the risk is real
The spate of recent attacks show that cybercrime is rife and growing.
Intermediary blog
Ground and air cover for drones
What commercial and recreational drone operators should know about safety regulations and specialist aviation cover – both on the ground and when flying.
Intermediary blog
Six things your clients should look out for during a pre-trip inspection
The heavy haulage industry is the heartbeat of South Africa’s economy, with virtually every commodity we consume transported by trucks. So, it is not surprising that the trucking industry contributes 8% of the country’s GDP which amounts to a staggering R130 billion per annum and employs over 300 000 people.
Intermediary blog
Legal liability insurance: just how much is enough?
The cost of replacing physical property can easily be determined through adequate valuations, however the financial cost of a potential third party claim is something that is incredibly difficult to foresee.
Intermediary blog
Liability risks for businesses – dealing with the unexpected
To help you, we’ve put together a few examples of real-life claims that Santam encountered in recent years that would not easily have been anticipated in relation to the business activity.
Intermediary blog
Insurers and intermediaries: embracing change in a transforming industry
Advancing technology, ever-changing customer buying patterns and regulatory changes. These are just a few factors that are majorly impacting on the short-term insurance sector, causing uncertainty for both insurers and intermediaries. However, it also provides great opportunities to evolve and seize new opportunities.
Intermediary blog
Safely and correctly towing trailers – what clients need to know
The only certainty about life on a farm is that no day is ever the same, from transporting feed and fertiliser to driving around animals and even workers. Most of your agriculture clients will make use of trailers in their day-to-day life – the key is to make sure that everyone driving vehicles and towing trailers have the correct licences and know the regulations. The last thing anyone wants is to have a claim denied in case of an accident, so here’s everything your clients need to know about safely towing a trailer.
Intermediary blog
Time for another holiday
According to the South African calendar, we are in for a series of long weekends soon. This is our reminder that we’ll cover clients both at home and on our roads.
Intermediary blog
Consequential loss vs. damage: know the difference
It’s only a difference of two words – loss vs. damage – but it can be very confusing for your car insurance clients to understand. We clarify the differences between consequential loss and consequential damage with real-life examples, so it’s easy for you to explain policy exclusions to clients. Make sure they understand the specific exclusion (exception to sub-section A (a)) in terms of consequential loss and mechanical, electronic or electrical breakdown.
Intermediary blog
All about our new commercial sectional title product
The specific legislative requirements of the Community Schemes Ombud Service (CSOS) Act have made insurance compliance quite the minefield for trustees and executives of the collective property schemes industry. Our highly specialist knowledge of all the risks involved in this burgeoning industry enable us to ensure that such schemes have the correct insurance cover.
Intermediary blog
Agricultural vehicles: understanding damage to tyres
Your agricultural clients own a wide variety of vehicles, implements and harvesters, which are subject to a lot of daily wear and tear – especially tyre damage. Potholes, fields and corrugated roads can often cause tyre damage so it’s important that clients know exactly what cover they enjoy under their agricultural insurance policy, and whether they need cover extension such as Santam Agri’s extended cover for tyres.
Intermediary blog
Make sure your heavy haulage clients have proper cover
To borrow from Spiderman: with heavy haulage comes heavy responsibility. Anyone who has had their claim rejected in the past will tell you that it is accompanied with great disappointment. For this reason, we want to help you make sure your heavy haulage clients understand the terms, conditions and exclusions on their insurance policies. Here is a list of things to look out for to ensure your clients are not in breach of the conditions of their policies.
Intermediary blog
Fire safety and liability for farmers – how to be prepared for anything
There are few things more devastating to a farmer’s livelihood and operations than a runaway fire, which is why we recommend that you assist agriculture clients in truly understanding their risk and liability.
Intermediary blog
Reconsider, renew and reinvent – how to be more client-centric
We have often spoken about the disruption our industry is facing these days, which means that both insurers and intermediaries need to reconsider, renew and reinvent the way they do business. But where to start and how to go about it? Andrew Coutts, Head of Intermediated Distribution at Santam, shares his top tips on running a more client-centric business.
Intermediary blog
Pitch for success in 6 steps
If you’ve ever watched shows like Shark Tank or Dragon’s Den, you’ll know that the perfect pitch is make or break to win new business. Sharpen your presentation skills with these 6 steps to the perfect pitch.
Intermediary blog
Cyber crime is huge: how to protect your business
Cyber criminals no longer only target large corporates. Big or small business, city or small town – no one is exempt from criminals trying to gain access to your money or personal information. South Africa has the third highest number of cyber crime victims worldwide, while cyber crime is now the fourth most reported economic crime in South Africa, according to the findings of PwC's 2016 Global Economic Crime Survey.
Intermediary blog
Insurance disruption in 2016: how the global insurance industry is evolving
How can an intermediary adapt to this ever-changing world? We sat down with Matt Connolly to unpack the 2016 Insurance Disruption Report.
Intermediary blog
Value proposition: Find out what sets your business apart from competitors
We’ll talk you through the steps to unearth the characteristics that best describe how you help your customers manage their risks more effectively.
Intermediary blog
Tips and tools to deliver excellent customer service
We share tips and useful customer service technologies to help you deliver better customer care, resulting in increased customer loyalty and spreading the word to prospective customers.
Intermediary blog
How to cross-sell insurance products to boost your revenue
How to cross-sell insurance products and more comprehensive cover – the questions to ask and clever techniques to boost sales.
Intermediary blog
How to use technology to grow your business
Embrace technology to grow your business: our tips for smarter marketing, client service and communication.
Intermediary blog
How to let the value of insurance shine, not just the price
In a price driven market, it can be hard to differentiate yourself. Read our tips on selling insurance on value, not just price.
Intermediary blog
10 things every young insurance intermediary should learn
Tips for mentoring new and inexperienced insurance intermediaries
Intermediary blog
Future relevance – facing the challenges of a new and exciting world
Santam spoke to renowned futurist and entrepreneur Anton Musgrave – here are his fascinating insights about our ever-changing economy and the world we live in, as well as practical advice on how to recalibrate your business and stay relevant in this new and exciting world.
Intermediary blog
5 Tips to grow your business with e-mail marketing
As an intermediary, your best meetings are probably face-to-face and you likely find it easiest to get new sales leads by checking in with clients over the phone.
Intermediary blog
How to turn a client complaint into a win
Complaints are part of an intermediary’s life. With the right tactics and responses at the ready, you can quickly turn a negative into a positive, and streamline processes in your business.
Intermediary blog
Seamless risk protection for mega-projects: Mozambique
Infrastructure development is booming across Africa, due in no small part to significant economic growth and foreign direct investment. In line with this, and as part of Santam’s strategic expansion into Africa in partnership with Sanlam Emerging Markets, Santam Specialist Business has launched a Seamless insurance solution which offers comprehensive risk protection for mega-projects across Africa.
Intermediary blog
Santam in the fight against crime
The latest crime statistics from the South African Police Services closely mirror trends already identified by Santam.
Intermediary blog
Make LinkedIn work for you and your business.
Read our simple guide on how to get the most out of LinkedIn and target new clients.
Intermediary blog
Spring clean your clients’ business insurance: our top tips
Every year, your clients’ contract with their short-term insurance company is automatically renewed and sometimes, their business insurance contracts simply ‘ticks over’ without your having checked if the business has too much or too little cover in place.
Intermediary blog
Ombudsman case study
We take a look at a case which deals with the consequences for an insured who failed to report an incident for which he did not (at the time) or in the future intend to claim, to his insurer.
Intermediary blog
Third-party vehicle cover: what clients need to know
Comprehensive vehicle cover is obviously the best cover to have for your car, because, subject to various conditions and your prescribed excesses, it covers you for all losses in an accident, for theft, as well as for perils such as hail damage and fire. But it is also the most expensive type of cover.
Intermediary blog
Running a cab service? Here’s what clients need to know about passenger liability cover
Whether your clients operate a taxi service for large or small groups of passengers, they may have wondered how your insurance will protect them if, for example, one of their vehicles is involved in an accident and their passengers are injured.
Intermediary blog
Underinsurance is a challenge for the South African business sector
The South African commercial sector is traditionally underinsured, and it gets worse during hard economic times.
Intermediary blog
Seamless risk protection for mega projects: Tanzania
Infrastructure development is booming across Africa, due in no small part to significant economic growth and foreign direct investment. In line with this, and as part of Santam’s strategic expansion into Africa in partnership with Sanlam Emerging Markets.
Intermediary blog
Load shedding: your questions answered
This month, we're focusing on a specific question around load shedding which came directly from the public. In the coming months, we'll use more questions and case studies to illustrate the value of getting the proper advice around short-term insurance.
Intermediary blog
Advice: load shedding, insurance and generators
Eskom's decision to implement load shedding on a regular basis is having a severe impact on South African households - not least of which is the increased risk of damage to sensitive electronic items due to power surges, fires and crime as a result of security systems not operating properly.
Intermediary blog
Treating customers fairly (TCF) and intermediaries
The Financial Services Board’s (FSB) Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) regulations came into effect more than a year ago in order to address concerns about what boiled down to ‘unfair treatment’ from a number of financial services related institutions.
Intermediary blog
Come visit Santam agriculture at NAMPO
Santam Agriculture will again have a strong presence at Grain SA’s NAMPO in Bothaville in the Free State from 12 to 15 May 2015.
Intermediary blog
Help clients prevent getting flooded out this winter
Winter is around the corner and with it comes the possibility of torrential rain and flooding in large parts of South Africa. Flooding can happen at any time of the year and is not only limited to the summer months of December, January and February.
Intermediary blog
Building resilience through partnerships
South Africa’s insurance risk pool is affected by a number of trends and changes that have materially impacted risk profiles and claims patterns. It has been important to adapt underwriting and risk management strategies to take account of these to achieve Santam’s strategic objectives.
Intermediary blog
Hail storms, floods and fires: How we helped out
Read about how the insurance industry is uniquely positioned to tackle several risks and opportunities in a changing risk landscape.
Intermediary blog
Santam partners with farmers to encourage proactive fire risk management
Santam Agriculture is partnering with farmers to create awareness of the National Veld and Forest Fire Act and encourage proactive fire risk management.
Intermediary blog
Innovation in our commercial contact centre
Today’s customers expect more from every business interaction. For many, this interaction starts and ends with their contact centre experience. Read about innovation in our commercial contact centre this year.
Intermediary blog
Load shedding: survey reveals South Africans not taking adequate steps to protect property
South Africans have by now become used to checking load shedding schedules on a daily basis, and planning their activities around these. However, a recent consumer survey has revealed that many households are not taking adequate steps to minimise damage and loss during load shedding.
Intermediary blog
E-tolls and insurance: we answer your questions
We’ve received a few questions about e-tolls and insurance which our underwriting team have answered.
Intermediary blog
Third party claims: What to do in the event of an accident
Vehicle accidents can be a traumatic experience, especially if we’re involved in one that we didn’t cause. At Santam, we understand that road accidents are a reality we need to be prepared for and we’re committed to doing all we can to prevent further stress during the claims process.
Intermediary blog
Improved Santam Risk Assessment App for increased protection, productivity and service
Santam’s Risk Assessment App has just had an exciting overall to bring you more tools, information and simplicity in the palm of your hand. The App allows you to give the most comprehensive advice to your clients, while saving you time and helping you be legally compliant with industry standards.
Intermediary blog
How farmers can fight fire risk proactively by joining FPAs
Veldfires in South Africa have a devastating impact on agriculture and run into millions of rands of damages to property, food security, loss of human lives, livestock, game and grassland annually.
Intermediary blog
Potholes in South Africa - how clients can avoid and deal with damages
Potholes are bad news for vehicle owners. Not only do they damage cars, but they also cause insurance premiums to escalate to cover additional expenses. We look at some common pitfalls of potholes and how clients - especially farmers - can minimise damages and costs.
Intermediary blog
Student insurance: keeping valuables safe on campus
It’s the time of year when many of your clients’ student children will be heading back to campus or starting their new lives at university or college.
Intermediary blog
How clients can spring-clean insurance cover and save money
Every year lives change and every year the things we own get more and more expensive to replace. While your clients’ insurance policies are automatically renewed each year, you are by law required to check in with them once a year to revisit their contract.
Intermediary blog
Livestock sector: how clients can protect themselves from losses
A highly technical, scientific and competitive agricultural environment is causing an increased number of farmers to become more aware of the need to protect their businesses against risk.
Intermediary blog
5 reasons to safeguard maize crops with Santam
With the ongoing drought and ever-changing weather patterns, crop insurance for maize producers is more important than ever before. With the help of an expert intermediary, they can better understand their risk, how their insured loss will be determined and how to make an informed decision of the level of cover they require. Here are five reasons why clients should safeguard their crops with Santam.