What's Happening?

Facebook Twitter Youtube Linkedin

NEED HELP? QUESTIONS@FIA.ORG.ZA

become A FIA member TODAY
member login

Spirit of Adventure

ARTICLE BY

  • Tony van Niekerk, Editor, Cover Magazine
  • Ian Georgeson, Managing Director, Cross Country Insurance

SHARE THIS POST

With specialist insurance for outdoor adventures in place and proper education around how to keep equipment and leisure vehicles in good nick, intrepid South Africans can enjoy safe travels and smooth waters over the long weekends to come.

South Africans are known for loving outdoor adventures – whether towing a caravan into the bush, launching a boat into open waters, or embarking on a cross-border 4×4 expedition.

For Cross Country Insurance, holiday seasons are the busiest times of the year, ensuring that leisure enthusiasts have the right coverage for their travels. I recently spoke with Ian Georgeson, Managing Director of Cross Country Insurance, about the evolution of their specialist insurance offerings, common risks adventurers face, and how they help clients navigate the unexpected.

Cross Country Insurance began 27 years ago as an underwriting management agency (UMA) focused on serving the niche leisure lifestyle market. “When we started, repatriation services for cross-border travellers weren’t even available,” Ian reflected.

Over time, their product range expanded beyond cross-border assistance to 4×4 vehicles, marine insurance, and adventure-related coverage. This evolution was driven by a growing demand for specialised protection, especially as more South Africans invested in high-value leisure assets.

“The industry is incredibly competitive,” Ian noted, “but our focus has always been on providing comprehensive coverage that gives clients peace of mind – especially during peak travel seasons.”

Understanding the risks of outdoor travel

The thrill of outdoor exploration comes with its risks, and Ian highlighted some of the most common issues Cross Country Insurance encounters.

One of the biggest challenges is equipment maintenance – or the lack thereof. Many insurance claims arise from negligence, particularly when it comes to trailers. “A lot of people focus on their boats or vehicles but forget to check their trailers, leading to breakdowns en route,” Ian explained.

Overloading is another frequent problem, with boat owners stacking on extra weight without checking their trailer’s load capacity. Cross Country’s breakdown and repatriation cover provides crucial support when things go wrong.

One particularly striking case involved a boat destroyed under mysterious circumstances in Mozambique, resulting in a claim of half a million rand. While such incidents are rare, Ian emphasised the importance of having adequate coverage – especially for high-value marine equipment.

Simplifying Marine Insurance with tailored solutions

For boat owners, insurance can be surprisingly complex, particularly when factoring in the cost of accessories like navigation systems, rod holders, and canopies. “In many cases, the extras on a boat can cost more than the boat itself,” Ian noted.

To simplify this, Cross Country Insurance offers a blanket cover of up to R75 000 for accessories, ensuring that clients have a safety net even if they forget to specify certain items in their policy.

Another common issue is underinsurance. As the cost of boat motors and other marine equipment continues to rise, many owners don’t regularly update their valuations, leading to shortfalls when they claim. Cross Country actively educates clients on the importance of reviewing their insured values annually to avoid surprises.

Partnering with brokers and outdoor communities

Strong broker relationships play a crucial role in Cross Country’s success. While many brokers handle leisure insurance as part of their broader portfolio, others specialise in this niche – often through partnerships with boating and fishing associations.

These collaborations allow Cross Country to offer tailored policies and preferential rates, benefiting both brokers and their clients. Beyond just providing insurance, the company is also deeply involved in outdoor communities.

“We sponsor events like the Sodwana fishing competition and actively engage with adventure groups,” Ian shared. “For us, it’s about more than just business – it’s about being visible, building trust, and supporting the communities we serve.”

Helping clients prepare for the unexpected

A proactive approach is key to reducing risk, and Cross Country places a strong emphasis on education. From reminding clients to check their trailers before a long journey to advising boat owners on safe maintenance practices, the goal is to prevent issues before they happen. “Simple steps – like ensuring a boat engine is flushed after taking on saltwater – can make a huge difference,” Ian noted.

And when things do go wrong, speed is critical. Whether it’s coordinating a rapid recovery effort or guiding clients through emergency procedures, Cross Country’s hands-on approach helps prevent further damage and ensures a smoother claims process.

Passion for adventure and insurance

Throughout our conversation, Ian’s enthusiasm for both insurance and the adventure lifestyle was evident. “I love what I do,” he said. “Helping people enjoy their passion without worrying about financial setbacks is what keeps me motivated.”

When South Africans set off on their holiday adventures, Cross Country Insurance will be working behind the scenes, ensuring that clients can explore the outdoors with confidence. With decades of experience, a deep understanding of specialist risks, and a commitment to innovation, Ian Georgeson and his team continue to be a trusted partner for adventure enthusiasts.

Subscriber Terms and Conditions

  1. APPLICATION OF TERMS
    • These terms and conditions (“Subscriber Terms”) apply to the subscription by any qualifying member of the South African Underwriting Managers Association NPC (“SAUMA”) to the services and benefits offered by FIA Services (Pty) Ltd (“FIA Services”) under the SAUMA affiliation arrangement (“Subscription”).

  2. NATURE OF SUBSCRIPTION
    • A Subscription under this arrangement:
      • does not constitute membership of FIA NPC;
      • does not confer any voting rights or governance participation in FIA NPC; and
      • is governed solely by the contractual relationship between the Subscriber and FIA Services.

  1. ELIGIBILITY
    • To qualify for the Subscription, the applicant must, at the time of application, be a current paid-up member of SAUMA.
    • FIA Services will verify the applicant’s SAUMA membership status with SAUMA prior to activation, and may re-verify such status periodically.
    • If a Subscriber ceases to be a paid-up member of SAUMA, the Subscription will correspondingly be terminated.
    • Applicants are required to authorise FIA Services to confirm their SAUMA membership status with SAUMA as part of the application process.

  1. SERVICES
    • The Subscription entitles the Subscriber to the following benefits:
      • Complimentary access to the FIA CPD Platform;
      • Complimentary access to the FIA Insight Magazine (digital edition);
      • Advertising opportunities on FIA platforms at a discounted rate of 15% (fifteen percent) off the prevailing published rates; and
      • Invitations to attend FIA Technical Webinars annually.
    • FIA Services reserves the right to update, vary or substitute the Services from time to time, provided that the overall value and nature of the benefits remain materially the same.

  1. FEES AND PAYMENT
    • The monthly subscription fee is R260.00 (two hundred and sixty rand) for up to seven registered individuals (Key Individuals and Representatives), and R36.00 (thirty-six rand) per additional registered individual thereafter, excluding VAT.
    • The Subscriber shall provide FIA Services with the required details of each individual to be registered under the Subscription for the purposes of activation and billing.
    • All fees are exclusive of VAT, which shall be charged at the prevailing statutory rate.
    • Subscription fees are reviewed annually in March and may be adjusted with effect from 1 April.
    • Any changes to the Subscription, including but not limited to the number of Representatives and Key Individuals registered under the Subscription, may only be effected once annually during the annual review period in March of each year, with such changes taking effect from 1 April.
    • Subscription fees shall be billed monthly in arrears, unless the Subscriber elects an annual billing cycle at the time of application.
    • The Subscriber shall ensure that all billing information (including contact details, authorised signatories and bank account details) is kept accurate and up to date.
    • Non-payment of subscription fees may result in suspension of access to the Services until such fees are brought up to date.
    • The Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that all subscription fees payable under these Subscriber Terms may be collected by way of debit order, which shall be processed by the holding company, FIA NPC (The Financial Intermediary Association of South Africa), on behalf of FIA Services. Payment to FIA NPC shall be deemed to constitute valid and sufficient discharge of the Subscriber’s payment obligations to FIA Services under these Subscriber Terms.

  1. ONBOARDING
    • Onboarding will be conducted as a Subscription with FIA Services under the SAUMA affiliation arrangement.
    • Onboarding will not confer FIA NPC membership status or any associated rights.
    • Onboarding is conditional on confirmation of the Subscriber’s current SAUMA membership at the time of application

  1. DATA PROTECTION
    • FIA Services will process all personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA) as set out in our POPIA policies.
    • By subscribing, the Subscriber authorises FIA Services to confirm their SAUMA membership status with SAUMA and to process personal information for the purposes of fulfilling the Subscription.

  1. TERMINATION
    • The Subscriber may terminate the Subscription by giving FIA Services one calendar month’s written notice.
    • FIA Services may terminate the Subscription on one calendar month’s written notice, or immediately if the Subscriber breaches these Subscriber Terms and fails to remedy such breach within 14 (fourteen) days of receiving written notice.
    • Termination of the SAUMA–FIA Services affiliation agreement shall not automatically terminate these Subscriber Terms.
    • Termination by the Subscriber shall not relieve the Subscriber of liability for any subscription fees accrued up to the effective date of termination.
    • FIA Services may suspend or terminate the Subscription with immediate effect in the event of non-payment of fees by the Subscriber.

  1. GENERAL
    • These Subscriber Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.
    • Any disputes arising under these Subscriber Terms shall be dealt with in accordance with the dispute resolution provisions contained in the FIA NPC membership terms and conditions, as modified to reflect that the contractual relationship is with FIA Services.
    • Any notices required under these Subscriber Terms may be validly delivered by email to the addresses provided in the Subscriber’s application form, and such notices shall be deemed received on the day of transmission if sent during business hours.
    • The Subscriber may not assign, cede or transfer any of its rights or obligations under these Subscriber Terms without the prior written consent of FIA Services.
    • No variation of these Subscriber Terms shall be of any force or effect unless reduced to writing and signed by both FIA Services and the Subscriber.