South African Insurance Companies Broadcast Damaging Weather Alerts via SMS

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South African insurance companies have experienced a significant increase in insurance claims from hail damage in recent years.  Since 2011, insurance claims due to hail damage have grown by more than 3400 percent.  Hail damage claims have increased so rapidly that South African insurance company Santam was prompted to create an infographic to discuss the problem.

As reported by South African financial web site MoneyWeb, insurance companies are now sending free text message alerts to their automobile insurance customers warning them when damaging hail storms are expected in their area.  The alerts encourage insurance customers to move their vehicles under cover or take other protection measures.   However, the companies say they will not decline claims from individuals unable to protect their vehicles when alerts are issued.