Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Insured? Really? Probably not..

Grind My Cogs

You might think you're insured, but if you take the time to read the fine print you'll find out that you're simply giving money to some strange company for nothing in return. In the rare case that you are covered, you're probably paying too much.

Take the example of my cell phone insurance through the yellow company (yeah you know who..)
here are some of the strange exclusions:
1. Any loss or damage

1.1 caused directly or indirectly by or through or in consequence of any occurrence for which a fund has been established in terms of the War Damage Insurance and Compensation Act, 1976 (No. 85 of l976) or any similar Act operative in any of the territories to which this policy applies.

1.2 directly or indirectly caused by or contributed to by or arising from:-

1.2.1 Ionising radiation or contamination by radioactivity from any nuclear fuel or from any nuclear waste from the combustion of nuclear fuel;

1.2.2 The radioactive, toxic, explosive or other hazardous properties of any explosive nuclear assembly or nuclear component thereof.

.........

3.1.3 Faulty software or programming or electrical power surge or fluctuation.

1. Theft, loss, or damage to the Equipment whilst You are in or on any form of public conveyance, unless arising as a result of violence or threat of violence directed against You.

1. Resulting from political or non-political riot, strike, or civil commotion, public disorder, war, invasion, terrorism or public violence, or which is insurable by SASRIA (South African Special Risks Insurance Association).


So it's safe to say that Homer Simpson is NOT insured.
Seriously though, you are not covered for loss or damage while travelling on public transport UNLESS you are attacked.....WTF?
Also, I would have expected SASRIA cover to be automatically included, but it's not.

So many exclusions which leave you exploited and exposed.

A comparative quote via my household insurer just happens to be a third of what I'm paying. It's worth it to shop around

On the subject of overpaying, it's best to determine the value of your insured assets every 3-6 months and inform your insurance. They will gladly insure the item at any amount you specify, take your money for years to come, but when you claim, they will determine the replacement value and (assuming you're covered) reimburse the amount which is bound to be much less than you expected.

like Cat Stevens said "It's a wild world"

The Monopoly is in Pole Position

Grinding My Cogs

This morning some Telkom techie needed to access the telephone pole which is situated on my property. Normally they could reach the pole from outside the property with a small amount of bravado and lack of Vertigo, bit this techie was more afraid of the height than my dogs.

Despite my antagonism toward Telkom, I couldn't personally spite this techie, by denying him access.

Anyway, my point is this: What are these poles still doing on private property? I have ditched Telkom, never to return to their incompetent clutches. So why should I put up with their Pole being on my property?


I doubt they would be willing to pay rental a-la MTN....

mmmm they still owe me money but I don't need the aggravation of trying to get it out of them..... maybe be some creative revenge... All legal, of course

Monday, June 05, 2006

Looking out for Number 1?

Grinding My Cogs

My friend T's recent experience with crime and it's repercussions have got me grinding my cogs. The situation could be broadly described as involving two groups: the people who look out for Number 1 and the rest that realize that 1 is a lonely number.

The "Selfish Thieving Bastards" (STB) tried stealing T's car in the dead of night and succeeded only in damaging the locks and the ignition and placing his battery in safekeeping in an unknown location.

The STBs are persons unknown but we can safely say that they were looking out for Number 1. The were not intent on helping their fellow man. T on the other hand is definitely of the helpful sort

We all rely on support and assistance in various forms.

We rely on the Government to deter criminals and to provide a safe environment to breath freely. We rely on the government to provide a healthy economy or even one or two of the benefits which spring from that. We rely on friends for emotional and practical support.

We used to rely on a smile from most people, courtesy on the road, and a feeling of freedom and safety. These benefits and rights have died because everyone is looking out for Number 1.

We won't risk being a Samaritan because it might be a setup. We don't dare make eye-contact. We don't dare allow our empathy get the better of us for fear of being physically hurt, emotionally trampled or having the proverbial pants sued off us. We have become so risk-averse, that all we can do is remain safe in our own little shells and look out for Number 1.

In the meanwhile South Africa is a haven for the naturally selfish people. They thrive in these conditions. "If you don't look out for Number 1, nobody else will", "You better Cover Your Arse" Sound familiar? Of course.... It's become such a way if life, we can't imagine anything else.

In some (most?) cases Number 1 is all you have and Number 1 has a hungry belly. The Government isn't looking out for you, so what do you do?

I'm not proposing Socialism, Communism, Cult, religion or even a naive ignorance of reality, I'm proposing a bit more Love. Of the brotherly sort.

Ever had one of those bad days where some stranger just smiled at you out of the blue? It made a difference didn't it? I still remember some of those occurrences. It's a dynamic where everyone makes a difference by the things they do and say.

Like the Black Eyed Peas asked "Where is the Love?"