Tag: financial loss

An insurance concept that often gets misunderstood, despite underpinning every policy, is insurable interest. While it might sound technical, the principle is quite simple. Simply put, you can only insure something if its loss or damage would cause you a financial setback. If you do not stand to suffer financial loss directly from the loss of or damage to an insured item, insurance will not cover that loss.

Earlier this month, a bus caught fire inside Africa's longest road tunnel, the Huguenot Tunnel. The flames were sorted out “chop chop”. The traffic, not so much. Like a braai without firelighters, everything smoked for about two weeks. For most drivers, it meant longer trips and irritation. Still, we are South Africans. We do not sit still. We find another road, dodge a few potholes and carry on.

In today’s commercial landscape, businesses face a wide range of risks, from opportunistic theft to targeted break-ins and threats to staff safety. For organisations serious about protecting people, property and reputation, prioritising safety is no longer optional. It’s essential.

The Skills Development component of B-BBEE scorecards has created a large and robust training industry. However, while many organisations deliver quality learnerships and skills programmes, an alarming number exploit the system and the corporate sponsors of learnerships. The consequences extend far beyond financial loss.

Investing should not feel like an emotional rollercoaster. But for most investors, it does. Markets rise, and excitement builds. Markets fall, and panic sets in. This cycle of greed and fear often leads to poor financial decisions. For example, people buy high when confidence is strong and sell low when panic sets in.

Among the greatest threats facing infrastructure development today is climate change. To mitigate the associated risks for all sector stakeholders, we urgently need to make better use of modern technologies. We also need to establish contractual frameworks that are appropriately structured from the outset.

While South African entrepreneurs are becoming more sophisticated in planning for long-term growth and succession, a critical and often overlooked insurance gap remains. This gap leaves a vast number of small and medium-sized businesses dangerously exposed. As a South African needs-matched life insurer, we provide a snapshot of business insurance trends.

Ten years after her ground-breaking book Rough Diamond inspired a generation of entrepreneurs, the author returns with Rough Diamond II: Lessons from the Road Less Travelled. This is an unfiltered reflection on resilience, mentorship, business survival and the personal costs of chasing success.

South Africans are dangerously underinsured, and the consequences can be financially devastating. Whether it’s damage to a home, loss of personal belongings, or major agricultural losses, too many individuals only discover coverage gaps when it’s far too late. In many cases, policies don’t reflect the true value of assets.

Email plays an integral role in daily life, but cybercriminals exploit it as a prime attack channel. Phishing scams involve malicious emails designed to trick recipients into revealing sensitive information. These scams rank among the most prevalent cybersecurity threats.