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April 2006
BnB SURE is now officially one of the sponsors of the AA Travel Guides Awards Programme for the following 15 months until the end of May 2007.
We will be involved in the promotion of the awards by AA Travel Guides throughout South Africa and at the awards function during INDABA where BnB SURE will be for the fourth time.
As a leader in the provision of short term insurance to the Bed and Breakfast and Guesthouse industry, BnB SURE is pleased to be associated with the AA Travel Guides Awards.
We believe that this initiative recognises those establishments that are providing high quality service within the industry and we believe that our involvement will assist in the credibility of this type of accommodation available in South Africa.
In addition BnB SURE has signed a Strategic Alliance Partnership agreement with FEDHASA enabling us to participate at all FEDHASA Inland Region activities.
HOLIDAY HOMES & BACKPACKERS
We are very pleased to be able to announce that we are now able to offer cover for backpackers and holiday homes as a natural extension to the B&B and guesthouse and quotes can be obtained from any of our branches for these new classes.
BnB SURE DICTIONARY
We realize and understand that so many changes are happening to the policy on an ongoing basis that it is possible for people to not fully understand the very wide cover available.
With this in mind we have produced the BnB SURE Dictionary for distribution to brokers. Should you wish to have a copy please do not hesitate to let us know and we will be happy to send it to you, either in “hard copy” or in electronic format. This electronic format can be downloaded onto a desktop with a suitable icon for easy access.
LIABILITY SECTION
We are very mindful of the risks associated with the running of a B&B or guesthouse and as a result we are continually striving to provide the very best in cover. In June 2005 we introduced the option of a higher limit of R100m and we have had a fairly good response to this. We have now also added Errors & Omissions and you will notice from the following article that Medical Malpractice is also now included.
One extremely important aspect that is often overlooked is the question of Legal Defence Costs where many insurers limit the costs but BnB SURE has NO LIMIT on this provided that costs are with the approval of underwriters.
We also do not require that a disclaimer be signed or displayed other than in respect of guest effects.
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE
Often a guesthouse owner is called upon to administer emergency first aid treatment to a guest and this could be following something as simple as a bee sting and things could go wrong. With this in mind we have added Medical Malpractice following first aid treatment to our Liability section from 1 April and the limit follows the General Liability limit.
GUESTS EFFECTS
B&Bs and guesthouses are able to insure the personal effects of their guests where the guest does not carry insurance on those goods. This cover is available to a maximum of R200,000. We have found that many guests travel without insurance of their own and then turn to the establishment for compensation in the event that goods are stolen. We strongly recommend that all establishments give thought to including this cover on their policy.
INSURANCE CERTIFICATES
BnB SURE first introduced certificates that can be displayed at insured premises as long ago as 2000 and these are still available on request and are sent out with each new policy issued. The certificate confirms that the establishment is insured with BnB SURE and offers full policy details should these be required. The certificates have now been updated to show comply with the requirements of FAIS. Should a policyholder require a certificate they are available from our branches.
BEE TRANSFORMATION
Although we are not a signatory to the Financial Sector Charter (FSC) on Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), we are committed to the BEE transformation process in our country and are keen to contribute as far as possible.
We are keeping a watchful eye on the Department of Trade and Industry codes on Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) and once these have been agreed and gazetted, we will be in a better position to set targets and implement our own plan of action.
In the meantime we have embarked on our own BEE strategy and the employment equity ratios achieved to date and our staff development policy reflects our commitment to the transformation process. Details are available on request.
It is our intention to be officially rated on BBBEE criteria once the DTI has announced the accredited rating agencies and the codes have been finalised.
BnB SURE ASSIST
We spoke in our February newsletter about our 24-hour emergency claims line and already this is proving to be invaluable for our policyholders.
The other thing we did in February was to change our Call Centre on BnB SURE Assist and this too is proving to have been the right move. Europ Assistance, who also looks after the claims line for us, now manages this.
Three months of the year behind us, and so much is happening on the policy and with BnB SURE and we’ll try to put as much of it as possible into this newsletter.
BnB SURE CLUB NEWS
A huge benefit to our Club members will be added in May when Hospitality Warehouse come on board supplying a large variety of goods ranging from teas and coffees to soaps and other amenities and delivered direct to the B&B or guesthouse and all done and ordered from the comfort of their computer!
Hospitality Warehouse has re-designed its computer programmes to cater for BnB SURE clients and convenience and savings will be the order of the day.
We invite you to visit the Club website on www.bnbsure.co.za to have a look at all on offer. This facility offers cost saving to policyholders simply by being insured with BnB SURE and we have achieved this without having to slash premiums to do this and at the same time we continue to add to the cover almost every month.
BnB SURE ASSIST TOLL FREE & EMERGENCY CLAIMS LINE
We remind readers that use of the services offered through the BnB Sure Assist toll free line can only be activated by calling toll free on
0800 55 66 77.
BRANCH OFFICES
Contact details of BnB SURE offices are:
Johannesburg - (011) 886-6066 Fax No. (011) 886-1725
Cape Town office – (021) 948-0432 Fax No. (021) 948-3582
Durban office – (031) 563-6611 Fax No. 086 686-8897
Managers: Johannesburg – Linda Van Dijk
Cape Town - Trudy Venter
Durban - Vaneshri Govender
THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH:
The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one often comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won't –
Henry Ward Beecher.
