Early 2015 fires: Definition of the BUSH
The cross-over and all the other ‘overs’ from December 31, 2014 to January 1, 2015 were marked by fireworks everywhere in Ghana.
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Fire crackers (though outlawed), bonfires from used car tyres and other combustibles were used to thank God for ushering us into the New Year. Pomp and pageantry characterised the atmosphere.
This season’s harmattan, which appears to be quite intense and severe, was a major catalyst. In our excitement to show gratitude to God, there were unfortunate incidences of fire outbreaks, both accidental and those induced by the activities of the season, majority of which were preventable though.
2015 and fire outbreaks
Every year, many homes, industries (factories and warehouses) and other properties fall victim to bushfires. While in some cases essential properties are salvaged, in many others they are completely consumed by the fires.
In a statement issued on January 13, 2015 by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), a phenomenal 160 fire outbreaks were recorded nationwide, between January 1 and January 7.
This even excludes the inferno at the Central Medical Stores in Tema which threatens medical supplies to some health facilities.
The unfortunate inferno, which is speculated to have resulted from a bushfire nearby, is one that most people, especially the Ghana Health Service and the beneficiary health facilities, would want to quickly forget.
However, the important question of whether the warehouse and its contents had insurance cover is still yet to be clearly established (at least as of the time of writing this piece).
My experience with a potential inferno
While on my ‘private domestic sanitation day’ about a fortnight ago, I noticed the intensity of the harmattan winds and decided to take advantage to burn some dried plantain leaves between my house and a neighbour’s.
The flame was immediately blown off by the winds without touching the dried leaves; then it dawned on me the potential dangers of burning the debris. Had the debris lit and resulted in an inferno, neither my house nor my neighbour’s would be spared. This only goes to confirm the statistics presented by the GNFS, as people lit indiscriminately, thereby causing infernos.
From the experience above, therefore, I am now inclined to extend my definition of bushfires to include burning dry debris, rubbish and other combustibles in and around our homes, factories and warehouses.
Thus, various climatic conditions, either individually or collectively, may affect the behaviour of these fires.
The Australian experience
Around this same period, the climate throughout Australia, which annually features dry and hot weather for longer periods, unlike ours, is also reported to be recording phenomenal numbers of bushfires since the beginning of the year, leading to loss of lives, livestock and property, and leaving thousands of acres of land burnt along with several homes razed down. Some were unable to escape the blazes, others had some degrees of burns and were treated.
Notwithstanding many domestic fires resulting from bushfires this season, it is also very true that most of them are escalated by the harmattan winds which are ‘everywhere you hide’ – even under the blanket - and can quickly catch up with anything combustible, even water! Yes, water suddenly loses respect for fires when ignited during the harmattan season!
How we construct and maintain our homes, offices, factories and warehouses in fire-prone areas is, therefore, the key factor in determining what damage could or could not occur.
Let me quickly add that however well these factors are put together, there is still the need for insurance protection.
What property owners must do
Homeowners, business owners, property owners and residents living in areas surrounded by bushes and combustibles are at risk. In this regard, advices and education provided by the GNFS and the Ghana Insurers Association (GIA) on these infernos must be taken seriously.
Property owners must prepare emergency kits and take the necessary steps to minimise the risk of possible fires. For instance, clearing of bushes, debris and other combustibles around such properties and acquiring / installing fire extinguishers at vantage points.
Besides that, the need for an insurance policy to minimise financial loss arising from a burnt property is also imperative.
Thus, property owners must first revalue their properties and their contents therein, and then take out an insurance policy with the cover (sum insured) that matches the value of the particular asset(s).
It is gratifying to know that the National Insurance Commission (NIC) has set up a task force to implement the compulsory commercial buildings insurance to the core.
Claims procedures under these circumstances
When fire rages, it is often expected of the insured to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage to the property. This may involve moving undamaged valuable items to a secure section of the property for safety, otherwise the claim becomes vitiated.
Meanwhile, the first step of the claim process is to report to your insurer. Following which you may complete a claim form and provide other necessary documentation (e.g. GNFS and Police reports).
Where necessary, the insurer may process and pay the appropriate compensation or take steps to repair the damaged property. Such repairs are often done by the insurer’s accredited professional.
However, if a property owner decides to repair the property before making a claim, he or she must ensure that photos or video recordings are taken, showing “before-and-after” position of the property and all receipts for the work done are also made available.
Claim expectation
Insurance policies may either be based on a fixed “sum insured” or the cost of replacing a property and / or its contents. Besides indemnifying property owners with the sum insured, the policy may also provide cover for items like emergency/temporary housing, clearing of debris, etc.
If the policy is for the property’s replacement value, the insurer can choose between paying for the property refurbishment cost or a lump sum cash payment to restore the economic circumstance of the property owner prior to the loss.
Way forward
In a previous article, I did indicate that some of the most bizarre events usually happen around this time; hence the State and its agencies, individuals and businesses must take steps to acquire or renew their insurance policies ahead of seasons like this in order to mitigate the effects of any mishap, not just when times like this rear their ugly heads.
Until next week, “This is insurance from the eyes of my mind”. GB