Chamwe Kaira
Santam Namibia chief executive officer Franco Feris has urged Namibians to review their insurance cover and secure their homes as the Easter long weekend approaches.
He said policyholders should reassess the value of their household contents and take steps to protect their property.
“Insurance is there to protect you when the unexpected happens, but policyholders also have a responsibility to take reasonable precautions to safeguard their property,” he said.
“Taking these simple steps not only reduces the likelihood of loss but can also make the claims process far smoother should you need to claim. Solid preparation gives you peace of mind and ensures that if something does go wrong, you’re in the strongest possible position to recover quickly.”
Feris warned that the Easter period brings higher traffic volumes on major routes such as the B1 through Windhoek and the B2 to the coast, increasing the risk of accidents.
Data from the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund show crashes rose from 37 in 2024 to 42 in 2025, a 13.5% increase. Injuries declined from 126 to 96 over the same period.
“While it’s encouraging to see injuries decline, Easter remains one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Increased traffic volumes, fatigue and long-distance driving still elevate risk. A safe holiday starts with responsible driving and proper preparation,” he said.
He said homes left empty during long weekends are also at risk. Police data shows 1 039 housebreaking cases were reported in Windhoek between July and September 2025.
Santam recorded an increase in housebreaking and theft from 282 to 623 cases over the 2024/25 period.
“Even as road safety shows slight improvement, homes left unoccupied over long weekends remain a major risk that we cannot ignore. As such, taking proactive steps to secure your property is just as important as preparing your vehicle,” he said.
Feris advised homeowners to test alarm systems, inform security companies of their travel plans, and provide a contact person.
He said residents should ask a neighbour or relative to check on the property, switch off the main water supply, unplug appliances and turn off geysers.
Data from the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) shows the value of short-term insurance rose by 17.8% to N$9.1 billion by 31 December 2024. Net claims increased by 10.5% to N$1.5 billion.
The number of active policies declined by 11.2% to 660 156, mainly due to lapses, despite growth in new policies.
