Many business owners in downtown Kigali will always remember last Saturday, February 23, as the day their means of livelihood were destroyed, thanks to a merciless storm.When one’s property or business is destroyed out of the blue, it takes a while, sometimes years, for them to stabilise. Loss of property or business due to natural disasters or fires always lives a huge dent on one’s account or cash flow. However, the effect of disasters like Saturday’s could be averted if we prepare well, putting in place safeguards to counteract them and ensure quick recovery from the impact.That is where insurance comes in handy. Although insurance does not guard your property or business against natural disasters or fires, it makes it easier to recover from it. Many a time businesses, especially small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) do not insure their businesses, thinking that it is only big firms that should get cover. This is wrong and exposes businesses and the owners to huge risks and losses in the event of disasters, robberies, fires or accidents. If businesses and people who lost property in Saturday’s storm had cover against such disasters, they would not be having sleepless nights with compensation due.Because we never know when disasters like pandemics, would strike, it is only logical and proper to acquire insurance cover to safeguard our businesses and property.Every Rwandan has now experienced how the universal health cover is saving lives and how it has reduced uncertainty among the populace as far as healthcare is concerned. Of course some will argue that the cover is inadequate, but it is better to have something than nothing. Hope reassures. Uncertainty kills. Let’s safeguard our property. Let’s do business wisely.
