Visa drama, vouchers & dodgy tenants

1. Dodge visa drama: Double-check your travel agent’s advice

When booking a trip, don’t blindly trust your travel agent’s visa advice. A local woman learned this the hard way when her agent sent her to the Netherlands Embassy for a Schengen visa, only to find out too late that she needed to be the French Embassy, where she’d spend most nights.

Travel agents can slip up or lack updated info, and they often dodge liability for wrong advice. Always verify visa requirements yourself on official embassy websites for the countries you’re visiting. A quick check can save you from costly mix-ups and keep your travel plans on track.

2. Pick the right car value to maximise your insurance claim

Do you know what category of value your car is insured for, and what that means for you at claim time?

Here’s the breakdown:

• Retail value: This is the highest payout, suits newer cars and reflects dealer sale prices. 
• Market value: A fair middle ground, it averages similar cars’ worth with depreciation. 
• Trade value: This is the lowest amount, being what dealers pay for trade-ins. It means a lower premium, but it will leave you out of pocket when it comes to replacing your car.  
• Special agreed value: This is an option for classic or modified cars, set with your insurer. 

Check your policy, clarify terms with your insurer, and ensure your coverage will result in a fair payout.

3. How to protect yourself against rogue tenants 

Landlords, don’t let your tenant’s failure to pay your rent derail your finances. Insure yourself against the potentially high cost of loss of rental and tenant eviction.

RentSecure, provided by Just Property, covers losses from non-payment. For just 3.5% of your monthly rental, you get up to three months’ cover, ensuring your bond payments stay on track. Underwritten by Genric Insurance. 

Similarly, with TenRisk, underwritten by Hollard, for a 3.5% monthly premium (minimum R150), it covers up to R20,000 in rent if tenants default or face eviction.

TenRisk also provides cover for the legal costs of obtaining an eviction order. Contact Mooirivier Brokers, a registered FSP. And Santam has Landlord Insurance - cover for unpaid rental.

4. Travel insurance is a must, as is checking the exclusions

Travel insurance is a must-have. It’s your safety net for lost luggage, cancelled flights, hefty medical bills, or even an airlift from a remote spot. 

That free travel insurance which you get when you pay for your air tickets with a credit card is very basic - you need to top up to be fully covered when disaster strikes on your getaway.

But, do read through all the exclusions, especially if you are over the age of 70, pregnant or have pre-existing medical conditions.

5. Only pre-paid vouchers must legally be valid for at least three years

Sally turned to me for advice when a voucher she was issued by an online clothing store as compensation for poor service expired after three months, and the company refused to re-issue it.

She was under the impression that the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) required companies to honour vouchers for at least three years.

But the company refused her request, saying: “That voucher code was issued as compensation. It was not a traditional voucher governed by CPA regulations. These vouchers typically have a shorter validity period, which is communicated at the time of issuance.”

Unfortunately for Sally, the company is correct. 

The CPA only covers pre-paid vouchers, which must be redeemable for at least three years.

Vouchers issued by loyalty award programmes or as some form of compensation - as in this case - are not regulated, meaning the issuing company has complete discretion over the validity period.

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