|
Category:
Insurance
News /
Short Term
Insurance
/ December 2006
Prevent geyser
pay-outs, with a little help from an angel
The insurance industry of
South Africa is set to change fundamentally as a result of the recently
launched Water Angel, designed to mitigate the risk of geyser and pipe
bursts. The local award-winning Water Angel device will save millions
of rands in damages caused by geyser bursts and geyser explosions.
It
is estimated that the cost of repairing damage caused by geyser and pipe
bursts is one of the highest risks to the insurance industry at between
R400 and R700 million in geyser-related claims annually. This is
second only to the increasing prevalence of hi-jackings in South Africa.
What’s more, faulty installations and dysfunctional thermostats have
claimed many fatalities. Last year alone more than 20 000 geysers were
replaced which were insurance related.
The Water Angel is an
early warning system designed to monitor the geyser and eliminate
problems resulting in geyser bursts and explosions. The highly sensitive
patented moisture detection membranes are fitted in four water detection
zones, covering inlet and outlet pipes and the drip tray.
”Should the moisture
detection mats detect even the smallest amount of water, the main
controlling unit will be activated, simultaneously shutting down the
water and electricity supply to the geyser while activating an audio
warning of the fault condition. A water temperature sensor is also
fitted to the device to detect over-heating which may result in
malfunctioning,” says Hennie Stander, CEO of the Water Angel Group.
Training forms a large
part of the operation and it is mandatory to be an accredited Water
Angel Installer, ensuring best practise in the plumbing and electrical
installation of the geyser and Water Angel device.
“We have had an
overwhelmingly positive response from the property and facilities
management industry, as well as the insurance industry, who recognise
the value of the Water Angel and have likened the product to vehicle
tracking devices that have become mandatory for many short-term
insurance companies,” say CEO Hennie Stander.
The Water Angel was
recently awarded the Most Promising Emerging Technology Top 100
Enterprise for 2006 by the Da Vinci Institute, in partnership with the
Department of Science and Technology and has passed all safety tests
specified by Test Africa.
The Water Angel has also
been tested and approved by SAIA against their stringent test levels and
the SAIA are satisfied that Water Angel meets their standard, enabling
it to carry the coveted SAIA- Approved logo.
This endorsement of the
product is paramount as Water Angel will help save the Insurance
industry millions of rand each year.
For more information
about the Water Angel, training and accreditation, log on to
www.thewaterangel.com or call (011) 660-5670.
Author:
Lisa Hall (Grapevine Communications)
 |
