A New Year's Eve with a difference

It's not going to be your usual New Year's Eve this year; many of the world's biggest traditional events have been cancelled or changed due to restrictions on crowds, etc. But there are still amazing ways to see in the New Year (if you can get there). Have a look at what the rest of the world is planning...

Noteworthy news in numbers

25%: percentage of rugby players globally who are female. A women-specific rugby injury research project, the largest ever, aims to collect data to make the game safer.

30: total of named storms in 2020, a new record, with the list of names used up before the year ended - only the second time this has happened since naming began in the 1950s.

100: questions in the Chinese driving licence examination, followed by two practical assessments and a final theoretical test, making it one of the world's strictest qualifications.

Is your car about to head across the border?

Almost 30% of the more than R8.5 billion worth of vehicles stolen and hijacked in SA annually head across the border to neighbouring countries. Some of these stolen vehicles re-appear in the system, costing the insurance industry millions for claims where insurers were unaware that the vehicles were cloned. Criminals use ingenious methods to move stolen vehicles across the border, as a recent incident revealed.

Cybercrime crack down

According to the South African Banking Risk Information Centre, cyber-attacks cost the country over R2.2 billion a year and are increasing. New legislation aiming to crack down on cybercrime is on the cards. It will also act against those who send messages inciting damage to property or violence, or threaten people with damage to their property or violence...

Stay safe on the road this December

December is a high-risk time for those on the road, with a dramatic rise in vehicle accidents and a higher number of road deaths than the rest of the year. Festive season parties and illegal drunk-driving behaviour; learner drivers; frayed year-end nerves leading to road rage incidents, and increased traffic volumes, especially when schools close and people head to their holiday or family-gathering destinations, contribute to the situation. It is also storm season in many parts of the country, leading to wet, dangerous driving conditions. The Automobile Association advises drivers to adopt a defensive, calm attitude, no matter how badly others on the road may act. Staying safe and getting there in one piece is what matters! Arrive Alive also has some tips and useful emergency contact numbers...

Our new licence has been issued

The Financial Sector Regulation Act of 2017 introduced two regulatory authorities to replace the Financial Services Board, namely the Prudential Authority (hosted within SARB), which is responsible for regulating the financial soundness of financial institutions in terms of the Insurance Act of 2017; and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority, which is responsible for regulating market conduct in the South African financial sector in terms of the FAIS Act. The Insurance Act required that all previously registered insurers have their licences converted by 30 June 2020, and we are delighted that our new licence from the Prudential Authority has been issued. Safire will now be referred to as a 'licensed non-life insurer and authorised financial services provider [FSP No 2092]'.

The future of firefighting

Former NASA engineer Mike Ralston has developed the MSTAR – a new breed of emergency vehicle that brings a powerful suite of high-tech tools from Silicon Valley to the front lines of firefighting...

That's Life

Wishing everyone a restful and safe year-end break. A reminder that we will be closing at noon on 24 and 31 December, ahead of the festive season public holidays on 25 - 26 December and 1 January 2021.

The Insurer newsletter and the content of any article published herein, should not be construed as forming part of any insurance contract or policy nor as constituting any form of advice. It is aimed at providing an informal and informative read to the readers thereof. Whilst every effort is taken to attempt to ensure the accuracy and correctness of the information contained herein, Safire Insurance Company Limited does not give any assurance regarding such accuracy or correctness and accordingly does not accept any liability whatsoever for any loss or damage, whether direct, indirect or consequential, arising from any reliance placed in the information contained herein.