Thousands of South Africans are expected to lodge insurance claims after the devastating storm ravaged parts of the Western Cape, damaging homes, vehicles and infrastructure.
Many communities are still assessing the full scale of damage caused by heavy rains, flooding and high winds, which caused roofs to collapse, trees to fall and homes to be submerged.
Speaking on CapeTalk, Naked Insurance co-founder Ernest North said insurers across the country were dealing with “thousands” of weather-related claims following the massive storm.
North said most standard home insurance policies in South Africa generally cover storm-related damage caused by extreme weather.
Connected: Storm victims warned to check flood cover as insurance claims surge
Most storm damage should be covered
According to North, homeowners are usually covered if high winds, flooding or falling trees cause direct damage to their property.
“There's been some discussion about people saying, 'Am I covered for Acts of God?'” North said.
He explained that most home insurance policies are designed to cover extreme weather damage, although consumers should always check their policy's wording and exclusions.
North said damage caused to neighboring trees or communal property would also typically be covered under standard insurance policies.
The comments follow widespread reports of homes being flooded, roofs blown off and structural damage to properties during recent storms in the Western Cape.
Negligence can complicate insurance claims
While most storm-related losses are covered, insurers may deny claims where poor maintenance has contributed to the damage.
North warned that blocked drains, neglected roofs and unsafe trees can cause problems during the claims process.
“If heavy rains cause drains to overflow and homes are flooded, insurers may ask whether the drains were properly maintained,” he said.
He advised homeowners to regularly inspect roofs, clear gutters and monitor trees that could be dangerous during a storm.
Insurance companies may also investigate whether homeowners ignored obvious risks before a weather event.
North said there have already been cases where trees fell on neighboring properties, prompting insurers to investigate whether the tree owner failed to take proper care.
Cape Town's trees are under scrutiny
The issue is particularly sensitive in Cape Town, where the polyphagous shot hole borer beetle has weakened many trees.
Many trees fell across the city during recent storms, causing damage to homes, roads and public infrastructure.
North said insurers are unlikely to penalize homeowners for hidden or unknown risks, but obvious dangers can still influence liability decisions.
He emphasized that insurers generally prefer prompt repair of damage before pursuing potential liability claims against neighbors or third parties.
“The first thing you want is for us to pay your claim quickly, get you back in your home and get you back to your previous lifestyle,” he said.
Digital insurance claims process is getting faster
With thousands of insurance claims being submitted simultaneously, insurers are relying on digital systems and artificial intelligence to process claims faster.
North said many direct claims can now be evaluated remotely using photos and videos submitted through insurance apps.
He said some claims are approved within a few hours without the need for the valuer to personally visit the property.
More complex claims involving structural damage or flooding may still require a physical inspection, which may take several weeks due to the volume of claims.
North urged affected homeowners to submit claims as soon as possible.
“The sooner you get in line, the sooner repairs can begin,” he said.
Photos, videos and invoices can speed up payments
Insurance experts are also encouraging homeowners to thoroughly document storm damage.
North said clear photos and videos help insurers assess damage faster and improve the speed of claim processing.
He also advised people to keep invoices and proof of ownership for valuable household items, especially portable electronics like laptops, tablets and televisions.
Digital backups stored in cloud services can be vital if physical documents are destroyed in a flood or fire.
North suggested that homeowners review their insurance coverage at least once a year to make sure their home and contents are insured at the right value.
He said underinsurance remains a major risk, especially as rebuilding costs continue to rise.