Working from home? Understand the insurance implications before you set up
Image: Pexels PNW Production
As many people embrace the convenience of home offices, only a few realise that this work-life-balance choice could have significant implications for their insurance policies.
Nomie Nxumalo, executive head for people and transformation at Miway, urges South Africans to review their home and car insurance to ensure they remain adequately covered if they opt to work from the comfort of their personal space.
'Most standard home insurance policies are structured around personal use of the home. Whether you're running a business or working remotely, it's crucial to declare to your insurer if a portion of your home is being used for business purposes,' Nxumalo said.
She said that not doing so could result in claims being declined or certain losses not being covered.
There is a shift in the purpose of property, as homes are no longer a mere living place only.
Last month, John Herbst, CEO of Fine & Country Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), said properties today serve multiple purposes; they are now spaces to work, create, entertain, and relax.
'For real estate professionals, this means shifting the conversation from square metres to possibility. The work-from-anywhere revolution is not only changing where we live – it's redefining why we live there in the first place,' Herbst said.
The network of independent estate agents said the future of work is hybrid, flexible, and mobile, and the homes people live in need to reflect that.
While remote and hybrid work arrangements have recently started to decline as the return-to-office trend has gained momentum around the globe, many companies continue to embrace these models to attract and retain top talent.
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According to Miway, the working-from-home option does impact how South Africans use their homes and vehicles and must be considered when it comes to protecting these important assets.
The South African-based direct insurance company said the integration of workspaces into personal residences brings about certain dynamics to home usage.
It said many homeowners have invested in expensive office equipment, increased their reliance on home internet, and even started running businesses from their residences. However, the insurer said failing to inform insurers about these changes could lead to gaps in coverage or even rejected claims in some cases.
For instance, Miway said home offices often house valuable equipment like computers and printers, as well as back-up supply to routers, which many people installed when loadshedding was at its worst. It added that other items could include fridges and storage, depending on the business activities.
According to the company, these products may require extra coverage beyond a standard insurance policy and would certainly need to be considered under contents coverage.
'Additionally, handling sensitive data from home can expose you to cyber threats, yet most home insurance policies do not include cybersecurity,' Nxumalo said.
She concluded that the best approach is to consult with an insurance professional to tailor coverage to one's specific needs, ensuring all aspects of their work-from-home lifestyle are adequately safeguarded.
The Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR) surveyed college graduates in 40 countries across the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa from November 2024 to February 2025 to collect information on working from home (WFH).
The institution said it derived five facts from its study. It found that WFH is highest in North America, the UK and Australia, and lowest in Asia.
The study showed that WFH levels fell from 2022 to 2023 but have since stabilised. Employees with children are more likely to split their workweeks between home and the employer's location, while those without children are more likely to work in a fully remote or fully onsite capacity.
WFH levels are similar for men and women in every major region of the world. The desire to WFH is highest among women with children, the study found.
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