Homeowners with gas appliances stand the chance to have insurance claims denied if it is found that their appliances did not meet the safety requirements set by the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) and the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Safety Association of South Africa (LPGSASA).
This is according to Marike van Niekerk, Legal and Compliance Manager at MUA Insurance Acceptances, who says that insurers expect their policyholders to prove that they have taken every reasonable measure to manage the risks associated with their insured assets. “Gas is becoming more and more popular for household use, and a report by South Africa’s Competition Commission1 reveals that gas is used in one way or another, in at least 20% of South African electrified households and around 13% of households that are not connected to the electrical grid.”
She says that in the event of an accident involving a gas appliance, insurers may insist on proof that the appliance and its installation complied with safety standards. “For this, the policyholder needs a Certificate of Conformity, which confirms that the appliance was inspected by an authorised person who is registered with the LPGSASA. It is proof that the appliance is safe, leak free, and installed in accordance with the SABS regulations.”