Santam, the country’s largest short-term insurer, says it will continue to insure Citi Golf vehicles and related models, despite the fact that these vehicles are considered high risk in terms of hijacking and theft.
The company will, however, require that all new or existing policies where City Golfs are added (all models) be fitted with an approved tracking option.
In response to reports that some insurance companies will no longer insure certain models of Citi Golfs, Herman de Meyer, manager of underwriting at Santam, said that the insurer’s approach is to help its clients to manage their risk responsibly and effectively.
‘In all instances we advise our clients on the most feasible way to insure and protect themselves and their possessions. Santam is aware that Citi Golf vehicles pose a high theft risk and as such we have decided to help our clients protect their vehicles by requesting the installation of a tracking device,” he says.
De Meyer says that all Citi Golfs and similar models now have to be fitted with the tracking system. This requirement applies to new clients as well as to new items on existing policies.
While no action has yet been taken regarding existing clients who drive Citi Golfs, he says that the company will monitor the situation closely and may extend the requirement in the future.
He says that Santam has negotiated a favourable tracking option with City Golf owners in order to provide a cost-effective means of protecting their vehicles against theft.