DECEMBER 2008
It's hard to believe that a year ago we were planning our annual holidays over December and it's that time again. What has happened to 2008? Is it that as one gets older time seems to go faster and faster or is it that we are all just so busy - and getting busier it seems - that makes time seem to "fly".
One thing occupying everybody's time at the moment seems to be the global financial crisis but its not all bad news. With the rand as it is against major currencies South Africa becomes a very attractive holiday destination and as far as South Africans are concerned, travel at home now seems a better option than overseas travel so this means that B&Bs and guesthouses will certainly benefit. In certain areas generally regarded as holiday destinations it is very difficult to get accommodation already for this holiday time. Do remember our accommodation website www.bnbfinder.co.za that lists only establishments with at least R30m liability cover and also do remember that none of these establishments carry any disclaimer requirements.
To those taking a break over December and perhaps into early January, we at BnB SURE wish you a wonderful rest and that you travel safely and get back feeling refreshed and relaxed and ready to tackle the new year.
BnB SURE TELEPHONE NUMBER
We are in the process of centralizing our company telephone number for all our branches that will allow us to transfer callers to anybody in any branch and if that person is not in the office that could happen with Managers, the call can be transferred to the cellphone of the person being sought. The cost of that transfer would be for our account so it does not inconvenience the caller.
At the moment only Johannesburg Branch and National Office are on the new number as we are waiting the installation of additional lines and as soon as that happens the other branches will go onto the system.
Our new National telephone number is 0861 BnB-SURE (0861 262-7873) and you will find Rachel answering that.
BnB SURE OFFICE HOURS OVER THE HOLIDAY SEASON
All BnB SURE branches will be open on 22nd and 23rd December from 9am to 3pm. On the 24th we will be open from 9am to 12 noon. The same hours will apply in the week between Christmas and New Year; 29th; 30th and 31st from 9am to 12noon. All our offices will be closed on the 1st and the 2nd of January 2009 but from the 5th January 2009 we will revert back to normal hours. In the event of it being necessary a message can be left on our telephone answering system over this period and we will respond as soon as possible.
POLICY CHANGES
You will by now be aware of the enhancements we have made to our policy and these have been very well received by the National Accommodation Association as real enhancements that the owners of B&Bs and guesthouses need. We are also very pleased that we are able to offer these without increasing the premium to do so. In terms of premiums, we are delighted that we have been able to keep our premiums increases very low including the motor section where our rates increase is only 10% but where repair costs are reported to have escalated by some 16% over the last year. Endorsements giving change to the policy were sent out at the end of November.
GUEST EFFECTS CLAIMS
One of the changes we have made to our policy is to increase the limit in terms of the Contents section to R25,000 from its previous R10,000. One problem we are finding however is that policyholders in some instances are simply paying the guest the amount demanded without any proof that the goods ever existed or of the value nor whether they are insured elsewhere and then seeking compensation in terms of the policy. It is essential that the normal proof of ownership and value applicable to any policy be followed and that an affidavit is obtained indicating that the guest does not carry his or her own insurance for the goods before the claim is submitted.
ELECTRONIC POLICY WORDING
More and more people are opting to have as much possible in electronic format instead of in hard copy paper format that gets lost or misfiled and with the concern about the environment and that we should all "go green" we at BnB SURE have decided to follow suit and offer the policy in electronic format as we have done for some years with the schedule. In order to be able to offer this facility we ask that brokers advise us whether they would prefer to have the wording in electronic format or in hard copy. Even if the wording is in electronic format it is at any time available as a hard copy version. Our proposals will also ask this question in future.
NATIONAL ACCOMMODATION ASSOC and BnB SURE
We are very pleased to be able to announce that the National Accommodation Assoc. has taken the decision at its meeting held at the beginning of November to endorse BnB SURE as its policy of choice for its members. BnB SURE has had a long and very good relationship with NAA and this latest decision by NAA is going to ensure that the relationship becomes even stronger.
BnB SURE ASSIST TOLL FREE LINE
From 1 January 2009 we have included Auto Assist in the policy where the insured, by calling the Toll Free number on 0800 55 66 77. This service provides assistance in the event of breakdown and the cover will be highlighted in the endorsement to be sent out later this month. The Electric and Plumbing services and the Appliance Maintenance section offered through the BnB Sure Assist can be activated either by calling toll free on 0800 55 66 77 or by reporting a claim in the normal manner.
BRANCH OFFICES
Contact details of BnB SURE offices are:
All branches will soon be able to be reached on 0861 BnB SURE (0861 262 7873)
Johannesburg - Fax No. (011) 886-1725
Cape Town - Fax No. (021) 948-3582
Durban - Fax No. 086 685 6509
East London - Fax No. (043) 721-3112
Bloemfontein - Fax No. (051) 447-4088
Nelspruit - Fax No. (013) 752-4831
Managers: Johannesburg - Constance Sithole
Cape Town - Trudy Venter
Durban - Merran Johansson
East London - Lynne Reynolds
Bloemfontein - Dalene Lemmer
Nelspruit - Marinda Welgemoed
THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH:
Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childhood days, recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home!
Charles Dickens
