Wynand Van Vuuren from King Price Insurance

Rising fuel prices are reshaping how many South African businesses operate. As employers help their employees to make more of their budgets by spending less on fuel, many are allowing more remote work. But, with company-owned electronic assets increasingly being used in homes and public spaces, this shift requires businesses to revisit both their internet security measures and their insurance arrangements.

Wynand van Vuuren, customer experience partner at King Price Insurance, says the starting point is understanding that traditional office-based cover may not be enough. “A business insurance policy will be clear on where valuables like computer equipment are covered, and which risks they are covered against,” he explains. “If employees are working outside the office, business owners should confirm that their cover reflects this reality.”

When devices leave the office

Most businesses have office contents insurance, which covers equipment while it is on the premises. Once laptops and other devices leave this environment, they typically fall under business all risks cover, provided they are specified and insured for the correct value.

This distinction becomes critical in everyday scenarios. If an employee is working from a coffee shop and their laptop is stolen, business all risks should cover it provided reasonable precautions were taken. Leaving a laptop unattended on a table, for example, could complicate a claim.

The same applies to theft from vehicles. If a laptop is stolen from a vehicle, a valid claim usually depends on whether the device was concealed and the vehicle securely locked. There must also be evidence of forced entry. In cases of car jamming, where thieves block the locking signal, insurers may accept video footage as proof that an attempt was made to lock the vehicle.

Hijacking introduces a different dimension, as it involves force and threat. In such cases, theft of insured equipment is generally covered, but businesses still need to ensure that policy conditions are met.

Risks inside the home

Remote work also shifts risk into employees’ homes, which are not always designed for business use. Power surges and lightning, for example, can damage electronic equipment. If a device is affected, cover will depend on whether the businesses’ policy includes all-risk cover, and whether SABS-approved surge and lightning protection measures were in place.

There are also risks linked to physical security. If devices are used by family members or left in unsecured areas, the chance of damage increases.

Data security requires equal attention. The risk extends beyond device loss to unauthorised access to company systems. Employers should, among other precautions, enforce multi-factor authentication, continuous user verification, regular software and security updates, and secure cloud storage. Access over public WiFi should be restricted, and employees trained to recognise cyber threats.

Practical steps for employers

To manage these risks effectively, businesses should take a structured approach. Start by reviewing insurance schedules to ensure all portable electronic equipment is specified under business all risks and insured for accurate replacement values. Confirm the conditions attached to theft claims, particularly for vehicles and public spaces. Keeping an updated asset register with serial numbers and user allocation will support both internal control and claims processes.

Van Vuuren emphasises that insurance plays a specific and structured role in this environment: “Insurance is designed to respond to defined risks, under defined conditions. When businesses understand these conditions and align their behaviour and cover accordingly, they place themselves in a far stronger position when their equipment is used beyond the office walls.”