October 2006
The long weekend at the end of September saw the first Soweto Festival held at Walter Sisulu Square in Kliptown, Soweto at which there were several huge marquees containing a vast array of goods and services for the consumer market in that part of Johannesburg. One of these marquees was dedicated to the tourism industry and BnB SURE was there.
An incredible collection of displays ranging from Kwa Zulu-Natal to Limpopo and Mpumalanga all showing the residents of Soweto what this country has on offer.
Four days of music, colour, tradition and sport as people from all backgrounds mixed under the warm spring skies enjoying all on offer.
We wish the organizers of the Soweto Festival many years of successful events and will watch with interest as this becomes one of South Africa’s premier exhibitions.
SMEDP INCENTIVE SCHEME
The DTI has announced that it has temporarily suspended applications to its Small Medium Enterprise Development Programme (SMEDP) incentive scheme on 31 August 2006 in order to refine the guidelines for the programme. The programme will resume in three to six months once this process has been completed. The DTI wants to make it clear that this is a temporary suspension for a limited period to enable it to strengthen it in areas where the programme is having the greatest impact.
BnB SURE - DURBAN
From 1 October 2006 our Durban office will move into new offices on the 2nd floor at Ferfam House, 9 Stanley Grace Crescent, Umhlanga Rocks. The telephone number of these offices is (031) 561-4986 or (031) 561-4977. The fax numbers remain unchanged. If you are in the area do “pop in” for a cup of coffee and say to hello to Vaneshri and Natasha and have a look at our brand new home in Durban.
CONTENTS SECTION
We have often been asked why it is that our policy contains a section in the printed wording called “CONTENTS excl THEFT” and another section called “THEFT”. We have never advertised this to any degree but BnB SURE has basically three different ways of insuring the contents of a B&B or guesthouse. Firstly, basic Fire and perils on it’s own without theft or extensions at a very competitive rate. Second option, add to the basic fire and perils the “extensions” that include such things as accidental damage, signs and signposts, fridge and deep freeze contents, bilking, locks and keys and household goods in transit all included for a small additional premium. Thirdly, our fully comprehensive option that has it all at a very competitive rate.
Whilst we do not believe that it is necessarily in the best interests of the establishment to have restricted contents cover and a lower first loss theft sum insured (this still does not require forcible and violent entry on the BnB SURE policy) there are certain establishments wanting this restricted type of cover for a variety of reasons.
GHASA
Guest House Association of South Africa (GHASA), established in 1992 has for the past 14 years become well known in quality guest house accommodation, offering many benefits, assistance and valued advice to members, as well as booking opportunities for travellers. However, times they are a-changing and in order to increase bookings for their members they’ve changed their name to Guest House Accommodation of South Africa (acronym still GHASA). To that end they have geared their website for "real time online availability", making the process of booking at a participating guest house so much easier for the traveller and Agent. So, whilst they are still offering the same member benefits, GHASA now offers a real time interactive booking portal! To check it out, visit www.ghasa.co.za. Need more information? Please phone Lyndsay or Natasha on 021 7620880 or email lyndsay@ghasa.co.za
GUESTS EFFECTS
We find on many occasions that guesthouse owners feel that they have a moral obligation to compensate their guests whether they are legally responsible for the goods of the guest that might have been stolen from an establishment or not. There is a solution to this problem! Establishments may obtain cover in terms of the Contents section is as low as R10.40 per R10,000 per month for uninsured guest effects and NO DISCLAIMERS are required if this cover is bought.
LEGAL ASSISTANCE
We have now created a new section to our website where we will be posting legal assistance matters and the first of these is the procedure to adopt if claiming from a person through the Small Claims Court and our thanks to the National Accommodation Association for this information. The information gives all the procedures to follow when using this facility of our courts. In addition we will shortly be posting information dealing with disclaimers and their value. It will be seen from this article that disclaimers are starting to carry increasing weight and all establishments are encouraged to use these.
ON-LINE QUOTATION
If you have downloaded our quotation system onto a desk top and you work from that we urge you to download this once again as the quotation system has now been upgraded and rather than areas now caters for the area by postal code.
BnB SURE ASSIST
A reminder that in terms of the cover provided by the BnB SURE Assist section of the policy, the insured has the right to select his or her own plumber, electrician or repairer of goods covered by the Maintenance Appliance Section. The correct (and only) procedure to submit a claim in terms of this section is to call the BnB SURE toll free number 0800 55 66 77 and report the claim.
An emergency after hours claim line also now forms part of the BnB SURE Assist service and policyholders needing emergency assistance can also call the toll free number.
BnB SURE CLUB NEWS
Policyholders wanting to save time and money need only go to www.bnbsure.co.za and click through to the BnB SURE Club website to find facilities and services. Everything from Towels to advertising savings can be found and a facility to order all sorts of amenities and have them delivered to the establishment can be found on the site.
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) 561- 4986 Fax No. 086 686-8897
Managers: Johannesburg – Linda van Dijk
Cape Town - Trudy Venter
Durban - Vaneshri Govender
THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH:
“Rules are made for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men”
Group Captain Sir Douglas Bader
