Established in 1987, SAFIRE was established by timber growers who decided that the cost of insuring their timber was becoming too expensive. They started a co-operative insurance initiative to suit their niche requirements, at a cost which was affordable to all. The scheme was based on a 'self-insurance' model where all claims were settled from a central pool of funds, as contributed by members. A reinsurance treaty was signed with Lloyds of London to cover catastrophic losses.
In 1997, insurance cover was extended to include non-plantation cover, such as car and household insurance to its co-operative members. At this time, the Central Timber Fire Co-operative Limited (CTFP), as it was then called, was renamed to the South African Fire and General Protection Co-operative Limited.
In November 2000, the South African Fire and General Protection Co-operative Limited was granted an insurance license by the FSB and the company was allowed to insure the general public. SAFIRE Insurance, as it is known today, was founded at that time. Members now form the SAFIRE Member’s Trust and as such, SAFIRE Insurance’s loyalties lie with its members, rather than shareholders.
SAFIRE Insurance offers the following insurance products:
Domestic Insurance
SAFIRE Insurance domestic policy covers the following areas:
- Homeowners: Covers domestic residences and outbuildings
- Householders: Covers the contents of residences, including valuables and personal effects
- Specified and unspecified cover: covers all personal effects when the residences are not occupied
- Motor: Covers all personal vehicles
- Liability: Covers members against any and all legal liability due to negligence, resulting in loss or damage to property as well as personal injury or death of third parties
Commercial and Industrial Insurance
The commercial policy covers businesses against theft, loss of profit, fire cover, office content accidental damage, employer’s liability and much more.
Sugarcane Insurance
SAFIRE Crop Protection Co-operative Limited operates as a separate entity, covering liability against fire for farmers who own sugarcane and timber plantations.
Plantation Insurance
Offered by SAFIRE Crop Protection Co-operative Limited, the plantation program offers the most comprehensive cover in South Africa against fire, and lightning damage to timber plantations today. This policy also offers comprehensive public liability for the spread of fire, pollution and employer’s liability.
Contact Details:
Physical Address
Safire House
Redlands Estate
1 George MacFarlane Lane
Wembley
Pietermaritzburg
3201
Postal Address
P O Box 11475
Dorpspruit
3206
Telephone: 033 264 8500
Facsimile: 033 264 8501
Website: www.safire.com
SAFIRE Insurance and variations of this name/trademark belong to South African Fire and General Protection Co-operative Limited and not to InsuranceHound.co.za.