AppDate: Easy insurance when it suits you

In his latest AppDate, SEAN BACHER highlights Sanlam Go Cover, “Narcos: Cartel Wars”, Insurance 101, Telkom’s new mobile app and the Van Schaik Rewards App.

Sanlam Go Cover

The Sanlam Go Cover app lets South Africans and tourists visiting this country purchase instant accident cover on demand, via their smart phones.

Go Cover requires a once-off registration after downloading and optional nomination of a beneficiary or contact person. A couple of clicks and smartphone users can secure up to R1 million cover for t24 hours or for an extended period up to 30 days. This comes with a minimum price tag of just R10. The cover can be activated immediately or at a precise future date and time within 30 days. For example, one can buy 14 days of cover and set it to begin automatically the following week. To simplify the product, Sanlam only offers three levels of cover. For 24 hour cover a premium of R10 gives cover of up to a R100 000, R20 for up to R500 000 or R30 for up to R1 000 000. The daily rate decreases as the period extends.

Platform: Android and iOS

Expect to pay: Rates vary according the number of days and the amount of cover wanted.

Stockists: Visit the store linked to your device.

“Narcos: Cartel Wars”

The Netflix television show Narcos has come to smartphones and tablets in the form of “Narcos: Cartel Wars”. A player steps into the role of a cartel kingpin and tries to take over the narcotics world. The game is very much the same as Clash of Clans, where one raids opponent’s home bases, stealing building materials like wood, money, stone and products (in this case, drugs). The further one progresses, the more one can upgrade the base to repel attacks. The more one can upgrade the army, the better the chances of killing off opponents. Although the game includes endless in-game purchases to boost updates and troop training, a little patience and a lot of skill will eventually get you hooked.

Platform: Android and iOS

Expect to pay: A free download but with in-app purchases.

Stockists: Visit the store linked to your device.

Insurance 101

Many South Africans don’t completely understand the value of short-term insurance. With this in mind , the South African Insurance Association (SAIA) developed a mobile application aimed at promoting financial literacy around short-term insurance for consumers. Once installed, the app helps consumers understand the intricacies of the short-term insurance space. It explains why one’s assets – such as vehicle, home or cellphone – should be insured. It goes into detail about the necessity of sufficient cover and highlights where one may be vulnerable should one not have cover. Information about the claims process is also available should consumers incur a loss.

Platform: Android

Expect to pay: A free download.

Stockists: Visit the Google Play Store

New Telkom app

The new Telkom allows customers to manage both home and mobile accounts from a smartphone or tablet. The app replaces two existing apps: Telkom (for home accounts) and Telkom Mobile (for mobile accounts). The consolidation of the apps means that customers will now have a better experience while managing both their mobile and home needs. The app includes options for online bill payments, data top-ups, fault-logging for landlines, logging and tracking problems, orders and appointments, phone upgrade requests and even cancellation of wireless application service provider (WASP) services.

Platform: Android and iOS

Expect to pay: A free download.

Stockists: Visit the store linked to your device

Van Schaik Rewards App

The Van Schaik Rewards App for students allows the lock screen on smartphones to display advertising content, course material and, at the same time, let them earn additional income. This income can then be spent at a Van Schaik bookstore to purchase e-books, paper-based books and other learning materials. The app is based on a customer loyalty program, which is nothing new, but it is one of the first in South Africa to implement it as a phone’s lock screen. The idea came about due to exorbitant tuition fees and with students spending a lot of their time on their devices. Should a user spend more than R99 on airtime (which can be purchased in a Van Schaik outlet) per month, they will be given access to additional rewards, like free Whatsapp and Wi-Fi.

Platform: Android and iOS

Expect to pay: A free download, but airtime needs to be bought from any Van Schaik Bookstore to qualify for the rewards.

Stockists: www.vanschaik.com

* Sean Bacher is editor of Gadget.co.za. Follow him on Twitter on @SeanBacher