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Replacement value

Replacement value means what it would cost you to buy the same or a similar item new today.

Why should I insure my item for its replacement value?

The value that you specify to your insurer (sum insured) is the maximum they will pay out in the event of a claim. So to make sure you can replace your stuff with the same or a similar item if it's lost or stolen, you need to make sure your sum insured is equal to what it would cost to buy the same item new today.

What is the replacement value if the item is no longer sold as new?

Very often your specific item might no longer be available, especially with electronics. In that case you should look at the model closest to yours. For example, say you paid R12,000 for your iPhone 6 and it’s not manufactured anymore. You then need to insure it for the value of the next model up from yours. If this is the iPhone 7, which is being sold for R10,000, then you need to insure your iPhone 6 for R10,000. But if the latest model is the iPhone 10 and that’s valued at R15,000 then you need to insure your iPhone 6 for R15,000.

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Definitions

Sum insured

A sum insured is the maximum amount that your insurer will pay if you make a claim for a covered event.

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Policyholder

A policyholder is the person who bought the insurance policy. They are the owner of the insurance contract and are responsible for paying the premiums on the cover and are the only ones who can make changes to the policy or cancel it.

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Definitions

Insurable interest

To have an insurable interest in something means you either own it or would suffer financially if it were damaged, destroyed or stolen. Insurable interest is needed before you can insure an item.

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