I’ve heard certain
things can void my
home insurance policy.
Is this true?
travelling to rural areas. Make an
appointment with a local travel health
clinic—doctors there can prescribe
exactly what you need for specific
regions on the continent.
You should also brush up on
regional laws and etiquette before you
leave. In Zimbabwe, for example, it’s
illegal to make disparaging comments
about the president. And an openhand gesture, such as a wave, could be
viewed as a provocative action there, so
be wary. Namibia forbids photography
of government and military buildings.
Like other destinations around the
world, you should always ask permission in African countries before taking photos of local residents. Most
are very friendly and welcoming, and
will usually pose for a photo when
asked (though you may be asked for a
friendly donation as a courtesy).
Remember to keep your camera
handy and have a great trip!
indeed it is.
When you
make a claim,
some things
you may have
done—even
Mena Dalman
unknowingly—
caa manitoba
insurance broker,
could prevent
st. anne’s
a payout. not
service centre
properly describing your home, for instance.
is it a single-family or multi-family
dwelling? honesty is the best
policy. if you don’t classify your
housing type accurately, and
you’re found to be misrepresenting information, your claim could
be denied.
another pitfall: not living
in the home for an extended
period. if your house is empty,
the risk of burglary increases
and potential repair issues go
unnoticed. each insurance policy
may have different requirements,
like having someone check in on
the home while you’re away. You
may not be covered if something
goes wrong, so ask your broker
about requirements.
if you’ve done a major reno or
repair, the value of your home
may have increased—along with
your coverage amount. notify
your insurance provider to make
them aware of the renovation
and any increased value.
how you use your home could
also invalidate your policy. of
course illegal activities, like
manufacturing illicit drugs on
the premises, will void your coverage. but running a legitimate
home business could impact it
too. if something happens to your
home as a result of a business
that you did not divulge, your
claim could be denied. it’s best to
add home-based business insurance or a commercial policy.
if you’re not sure about
potential exclusions, ask a caa
manitoba insurance broker.
caamanitoba.com/travel
caamanitoba.com/insurance
Ask the experts
Africa Advice and Insurance IQ
travel tips plus a little know-how at home
elephant: Yuri_arcurs/istock
I’ve booked a safari trip
to Africa. What should I do
before I leave?
First, know that you
will have an absolutely
amazing time! I
recently returned from
South Africa, and
tracey payton know first-hand the
caa travel
thrill of the continent
consultant,
overall. For some
st. anne’s
service centre
countries, you need
to obtain a travel visa prior to arrival.
Check with your travel consultant about
your destination’s requirements well in
advance of the trip—it can sometimes
take a few weeks to be issued a visa.
You should also look at your passport: To avoid potential complications,
ensure it’s valid for six months after
your return-home date.
Some parts of Africa require certain
vaccinations, such as for yellow fever
and typhoid. It’s also a good idea to
consider malaria medication if you’re
CAA manitoba
Fall 2016
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