Rudolf Britz, Chief Actuary

Universally, January is the reset month. Many of us set new goals for the new year, establish fresh routines, and commit to smarter financial intentions. We focus on budgets, health, and career ambitions, all aimed at a better year ahead.

But there’s one important financial task that often gets overlooked in the post-holiday rush: securing your insurance foundation. Reviewing your insurance cover isn't just a transaction; it's the base layer of security that enables progress, peace of mind, and sustained performance in the new year.

The science of success: Protection enables focus

The principle that success favours the focused is deeply relevant here. When you know that the assets that matter most such as your home, your car, your possessions, and your financial security are safeguarded, you are freed from worry. This secure insurance foundation gives you the stability to grow, remain focused, and perform at your best, without disruption when life inevitably happens.

Protection is not something you think about after disruption; it is the foundation that allows you to show up fully for your ambitions, your family, and your momentum. By making cover renewal a core part of your January new-year planning, you lay the first layer of confidence for the year.

Thinking of insurance as a performance enabler, rather than a grudge purchase, changes the narrative. A secure foundation supports your overall wellbeing, growth, and focus in three key ways:

1. Stability protects your goals

Imagine you’ve budgeted meticulously for a significant investment this year such as furthering your education or saving for a deposit. An unexpected event, like a severe car accident or a major home repair, can instantly wipe out those savings, shattering your financial trajectory.

Insurance acts as a safety net, absorbing the shock of financial disasters. This ensures your savings remain intact, allowing you to stay focused on achieving your bigger goals without costly detours.

2. Peace of mind boosts your focus

Worry is a powerful distraction. If you are constantly concerned about the potential financial devastation of a flood, fire, or theft, that background anxiety consumes mental energy.

When you know your assets are adequately covered, you have peace of mind. This mental clarity frees up cognitive resources, allowing you to direct your full attention to your work, your family, and your personal growth, embracing the idea that success favours the focused.

3. Proactive protection supports future growth

A secure foundation isn't passive; it's proactive protection that directly enables future growth. By managing your risk intelligently through insurance, you create a stable platform from which to take calculated risks and seize new opportunities, knowing the downside is managed. This confidence is crucial for anyone aiming for sustained success.

Quick checks

January is the ideal time to do an annual review of your insurance policy. Use this list to ensure your cover is perfectly aligned with your life today:

• ‍Is your cover value still correct?

Have you made any home improvements (a new kitchen, solar panels, a renovated bathroom)? Have you bought expensive new assets over the holidays (a laptop, sports equipment, jewellery)? Ensure the replacement value of your home and its contents is updated to avoid being underinsured in the event of a claim.

• ‍Are your vehicle details accurate?

Have you bought a new car, or have you moved house and need to update the address where your vehicle is parked at night? Has your vehicle been fitted with a new tracking device? Review your regular drivers and usage

Has a new, younger driver started using your car regularly, or has a child moved out and is no longer using the vehicle? Ensure the list of regular drivers on your policy is up-to-date, as this impacts your risk profile and premium calculation.

• ‍Re-evaluate your excess

Has your personal financial situation changed? Could you now afford a higher excess in exchange for lower monthly premiums, or would you prefer a lower excess for greater security? Adjusting your excess can be a smart way to align your cover with your current cash flow and risk tolerance.

• ‍Confirm your personal contact details

Have you changed your cellphone number, email address, or banking details since your last renewal? This check ensures you receive communications, policy changes, and important reminders from your insurer.

By completing these checks and proactively securing your cover with your insurer, you don't just renew a policy, you reset the secure foundation that allows you, your family, and your ambitions to move forward with confidence in the year ahead.