Lifestyle and Tech – 9th December 2024

The festive season in South Africa, particularly in December, is a time of celebration, travel, and increased road activity. However, it is also a period marked by a significant rise in accidents and injuries, making gap cover an essential consideration for many South Africans.

The importance of Gap Cover during the festive season

December is notorious for high traffic volumes as families travel for holidays, leading to an uptick in road accidents. Preliminary statistics from the 2023/24 festive season indicate that there were 1,184 fatal crashes, a slight decrease from 1,212 the previous year. Despite this reduction, the impact remains severe, with many fatalities occurring among individuals aged 25 to 44. Human factors were implicated in 80.8% of these crashes, highlighting the need for vigilance during this busy time. Importantly, many people involved in these seasonal accidents survive with severe injuries and may require weeks and even months in hospital.

Financial protection against medical expenses

“Medical expenses can quickly escalate beyond what standard medical aid covers. This is where gap cover becomes crucial. It acts as a safety net that covers the shortfalls between what medical aids pay and the actual costs incurred during hospital stays or treatments. For instance, Turnberry offers a casualty benefit that includes cover for facility fees, doctors’ fees, radiology, and emergency medical interventions—even if the patient is not admitted to the hospital,” says Tony Singleton, CEO at Turnberry Management Risk Solutions.

“Without gap cover, individuals may find themselves facing substantial out-of-pocket expenses after an accident. This financial burden can be overwhelming, especially during a season when many are already spending on gifts and festivities.”

Comprehensive cover

It is important to ensure that your gap cover products are designed to provide comprehensive cover during emergencies. They should cover various scenarios such as:

  • Accidental injuries from road accidents or home incidents
  • Costs associated with using non-designated service providers
  • Increased medical aid rates up to 600% to cover hospital expense shortfalls

Preparing for the festive season

As families prepare for their holiday travels and gatherings, it’s crucial to ensure that they have adequate insurance cover in place. Here are some steps to consider:

  • Review your medical aid: Understand what your medical aid covers and identify potential shortfalls.
  • Consult with financial advisors: Speak with financial advisors about gap cover options that best suit your needs.
  • Stay informed about PMBs: Familiarise yourself with Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMBs) which ensure certain medical conditions are covered at cost by your medical scheme.
  • Avoid excessive alcohol consumption: With new regulations potentially enforcing a 0% alcohol limit, it’s vital to avoid drinking and driving to prevent accidents and ensure coverage remains intact.

“The festive season should be a time of joy and celebration; however, it also comes with heightened risks on South Africa’s roads. Ensuring adequate insurance cover will help safeguard against potential mishaps that could overshadow holiday festivities. Investing in gap cover provides peace of mind against unexpected medical expenses resulting from accidents,” Singleton concludes.

Tony Singleton, CEO at Turnberry Management Risk Solutions

https://getcovered.turnberry.co.za/app/1

 

 

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https://getcovered.turnberry.co.za/app/1

Client Testimonials

I first learnt about Turnberry when my 1st born needed to get his own medical, and because medical schemes are so expensive, I had to take a plan which we could afford.  I took out a Turnberry policy for him and when he was in a serious accident, we could not afford the cost of the helicopter which needed to fly him to Pretoria but Turnberry paid the expenses.  That was when I decided to take out a Turnberry policy for myself as well.  Because of your excellent services I have already promoted your product to all my friends and lot of them have also signed up with Turnberry.   Thank you for your excellent service.   I do not think that anyone with any medical scheme can be without your product.        Lena Ras 

 

If it wasn’t for gap cover I would have had enormous medical expenses.  I have had to claim twice in one year.  Don’t think about it just do it!  It’s the right thing to do.  One never knows when you might need the gap cover.  I broke my foot just before lockdown due to a brick that was left on a pavement after someone had a motor vehicle accident and they kept the robot upright with the bricks.  Whomever did that left some of the bricks on the pavement and at 5h00 in the morning I didn’t see the bricks… Needless to say I ran into the brick and that’s how I broke my foot.  Unexpected medical disbursements which I did not budget for and already had to undergo two operations.  I have had many expenses and I can truly recommend gap cover. I would recommend Turnberry Gap Cover and have already done so amongst my colleagues at the office.   I rate their services as – Excellent!      Louna van Tonder

 

Turnberry Gap Cover insurance has helped me financially after my accident with claims that I could never afford if I never got Turnberry GAP Cover.  I have indeed told my family about Turnberry.