‘Tis the rainy season: How to keep your car, home contents safe

With severe thunderstorms and heavy rains forecasted in some parts of the country for the rest of the week, it’s important to take extra precautions to ensure that your car and home contents are safe.

That’s the warning from King Price’s client experience partner Wynand van Vuuren.

Here are Wynand’s top tips:

• Know when thunderstorms are on the way
Staying up to date with the latest weather forecast has never been easier: simply turn on your weather app notifications before planning a trip or a commute. Or, if you’re old school, your option is to stay tuned to the weather reports on the radio or TV. Then try and stay off the roads, if possible.

• Park your car under cover
Insurers see hundreds of claims for hail damage every year. The simplest way to avoid hail damage is to park your car in your garage, or under a carport. If you don’t have covered parking, you can use a car cover, or even a blanket, to minimise damage and protect your car’s most exposed surfaces, like the windscreen and bonnet.

• Get on top of your house
Check that your home’s roof is rain-ready: No broken tiles or loose flashings, nails and screws. Also, check that your waterproofing is secure and does not start to crack or lift. Your roof is your first line of defense against the weather, so it’s worth spending some time on it.

“If you live in a sectional title complex, chat to your body corporate or a trustee: Your roof is common property and it’s the complex’s responsibility to maintain it,” said Wynand.

• It’s all about the gutters
Make sure there are no leaves and debris stuck in your home’s gutters – or they’ll almost certainly overflow after the first proper rain, which could cause damage and rising dampness in your walls, doors, and windows. Also, be sure to check that your downpipes aren’t clogged and that they channel rainwater well away from the house.

• Make sure your car wipers are in top condition
In case you’re caught in a storm and there’s nowhere to go, your best defence is proactive preparation. Get your wipers checked before the rainy season starts, and use water repellent for your windscreen, to make sure your visibility is as clear as possible while you’re on the road.

• Make sure your insurance is up to date
Despite your best efforts, storms and hail can damage your assets. But to minimise the risk of a financial burden, make sure you have the right insurance for your home and car, which can help cover any damage resulting from the storm.

In short: Prevention is better than cure. But when the rainy season hits, make sure you’re covered, one way or another!