Santam Home Contents Insurance

Early beginnings, a short history of  the start of a South African insurance giant

The South African National Trust and Assurance Company Limited, or Santam, began on the 1st of May 1918, when they opened for business in Cape Town.

Within 45 years they'd launched their famed Child Art programme, to help and inspire budding young artists. This has become one of the most enduring CSI (Corporate Social Investment) programmes.

They revolutionised insurance in 1974 by launching their Multiplex policy. This was the first time South Africans could have just one policy for all their short-term insurance needs, under a single umbrella.

In 1981 the yellow umbrella, which became a symbol of short-term insurance in the country, was adopted as the official logo. In 1990 and the subsidiary, Santam Namibia Limited was founded to take care of insurance needs in Namibia.

In 1999 Guardian National Insurance was acquired by Santam for R1.58 billion. This merger was a resounding success, giving them a 25% share of the local industry. 2003 saw the establishment of Santam International

In 2005 they were given the Pioneer Award by the Financial Services Sector Council, for making short-term insurance affordable to previously underserved markets.

Also In 2005, they became the first insurer in the country to join ClimateWise, a network of leading International insurers, created to influence the dialogue and laws governing climate change. Coincidentally, this was also the 80th birthday of Santam Crop Insurance.

This insurer turned 90 in 2008, and to celebrate, they diversified and extended operations with a partnership with Sanlam and Shriram General Insurance Company Limited in India. This gives them a 26% share in Shriram Life Insurance.

Santam was awarded the following:

• Deloitte's Best Company to Work for
• Top B2B (business-to-business) short-term insurer in the Top Brand survey by Markinor in 2009.
• Best Personal, Commercial and Corporate insurer by the FIA (Financial Intermediaries Association) in 2011 and 2012
• They took first place for 2 years running in the Excellence Survey of the Ask Afrika Orange Index.
• They received International and local recognition for service excellence and innovation, winning the coveted Loeries, Midas and Cannes awards for their advertising campaign.
• Rated top insurer in South Africa in 2013 in the SAcsi ( South African Customer Satisfaction Index survey), surpassing the competition and industry average in the different categories, including customer loyalty, satisfaction and overall quality.
• In June 2014 they were awarded the Corporate and Commercial Insurer by the FIA.
• They were certified as a Top Employer in South Africa by the Top Employers Institute.

Throughout their history, they've shown a sense of commitment, courage and determination to become the best South African short-term insurer.

Underestimating the true value of the contents of your home is a common mistake. This could be a costly oversight in the event something happens.

Currently, at least one in three homes in South Africa is underinsured by more than 30%. Santam will help ensure that the contents of your home are covered sufficiently.

Plans cover damage or loss to the contents of your home because of an insured event e.g flood, storm, fire, explosion, lightning, theft or burglary. 

You can use their online risk calculator or arrange an assessment, to find the right replacement value for your home contents. 

Their basic home content insurance provides for the following, at no extra cost: 

• Accidentally breaking mirrors and other glass items in the home.
• Alternative accommodation rental if your home is damaged and unlivable.
• Charges for the fire brigade, incurred while working to minimise or prevent harm to your home and property.
• Personal belongings of domestic employees or guests when in your home.
• Inadvertent spoiling of the contents of freezers and fridges in the home.
• Costs of getting rid of debris, or contents that have been spoiled or broken after damage or loss caused by a covered event.
• Washing on the washing line, that's covered against the above events.

Emergency repairs to your household, 24 hours a day. Help is there for:

• Plumbing emergencies
• Emergency Locksmith
• Electrical emergencies
• Glaziers

Legal Advice

Their expert lawyers can give you the best legal advice.

• Free advice over the phone, and for standard documents.
• The first 30 minutes of face-to-face consultations are free.

Right Route - get where you need to go

If you get lost or want to plan, call them for detailed route instructions, in the major metropolitan areas, and essential route information in the more rural ones.

Home Drive - a personal chauffeur service

You get driven home with this service if you've had too much to drink. (Within 50km of 10 cities and a maximum of 6 rides per annum).

Roadside emergency services, 24 hours a day, for: 

• Electrical and mechanical breakdown.
• A jump-start.
• Help when you've accidentally locked your keys inside your car.
• Tyre changing service.
• 10l fuel if you run dry.