Year-End Risk Preparedness: Essential Insurance Actions for a Secure Start to 2026

As 2025 draws to a close, businesses and individuals face one of the highest-risk periods of the year. “December and January are not just festive months – they are also high-risk months,” notes Sandra Ndebele, Customer Service Consultant in Commercial Lines & Liabilities at Maksure. “From travel-related incidents to property damage and delayed claim processing, this period tests how well-prepared policyholders really are.”

Below, Sandra outlines key actions every policyholder should take to ensure uninterrupted protection and readiness for the year ahead.

1. Keep Premiums Current to Maintain Active Cover

Lapsed or unpaid premiums are a leading cause of claim rejections during the festive period. According to Sandra, “A single missed premium can invalidate your cover just when you need it most. Clients should confirm all payments are up to date before they travel or close for the holidays.”

Keeping policies current ensures that should an accident, theft, or damage occur, your insurance remains valid and responsive.

2. Reinforce Property and Home Security

During the festive season, many properties are left unattended for extended periods — a known driver of increased burglary claims. “Loss prevention starts with vigilance,” says Sandra.

She advises clients to:

• Test alarm systems and confirm active monitoring.
• Inform security companies of travel dates.
• Ask a neighbour or trusted contact to check on the property periodically.

“These steps may seem simple, but they significantly reduce risk - and insurers do take them into account during claims assessment,” she adds.

3. Review Vehicle Cover and Extend Car Hire Options

Between 15 December and 15 January, most panel beaters and repair shops operate at limited capacity. Delays in vehicle repairs are almost inevitable during this period.

Sandra recommends extending car hire benefits to 60 days, saying:

“If an accident occurs when repairers are closed, a 30-day hire option may expire before your car is back on the road. Extending this benefit provides continuity and peace of mind.”

This proactive measure ensures that mobility and business operations are not disrupted during the peak holiday period.

4. Exercise Road Safety and Travel Preparedness

The festive season brings increased road traffic, long-distance travel, and fatigue; all contributors to accident frequency.

Sandra cautions, “The majority of holiday claims we see could have been prevented with better planning.” She urges policyholders to:

• Conduct a full vehicle inspection before travelling.
• Plan routes carefully and include rest breaks.
• Avoid driving under the influence or while fatigued.

“Insurance can cover losses, but it cannot reverse harm. Prevention remains your most powerful form of protection,” she stresses.

5. Expect Limited Service Availability and Plan Accordingly

During the festive shutdown, insurer networks - including assessors, repairers, and parts suppliers - often operate on skeleton staff.

“Clients should report incidents immediately and keep all documentation in order,” says Sandra. “Delays are unavoidable in December, but early reporting helps us prioritise and resolve claims faster once operations resume.”

Final Perspective

The end of the year is a natural time to pause, reflect, and plan — but it is also the moment when preparedness matters most.

“Insurance works best when clients see it as a partnership,” concludes Sandra. “We are here to advise, guide, and ensure that when the unexpected happens, your cover responds as intended.”

By staying informed, paying premiums promptly, reinforcing security, and preparing for limited-service availability, policyholders can step into 2026 protected, prepared, and confident — exactly as Maksure intends.

Sandra Ndebele is the Customer Service Consultant: Commercial Lines & Liabilities at Maksure.

Contact our team on Tel: 011 805 0086 or email info@maksure.co.za

About Maksure Risk Solutions

Maksure Risk Solutions is an Afro-Global independent specialist insurance and reinsurance broker with business footprint in Africa, Asia, East & Western Europe, South America and the Caribbean. We provide innovative and tailor-made risk solutions in Insurance and Reinsurance as well as Risk Financing and Actuarial Consulting geared towards capital management and strengthening our client’s balance sheet. Maksure is also one of the major players in Captive Management (Establishment & Management) in South Africa, Mauritius, Bermuda and various other jurisdictions. We have access into the Lloyds of London with a deep understanding of African markets. Our global nature ensures that our clients access quality capacity as well as some of the world’s latest thinking and solutions.