“During a recent quote consultation at Ami, a potential client told us he’s been ‘self-insured’ for years and has had ‘no losses.’ It was said confidently, almost like a badge of honour,” says Simphiwe Khumalo, Portfolio Manager at Ami Underwriting Managers (Ami). “But it raised a familiar question—one many insurers quietly ask every day: how do we know if that’s really true?”
In an industry built on trust, disclosure is everything. Yet too often, prospective policyholders—sometimes unintentionally—hold back critical information, assuming that if it’s not volunteered, it won’t be discovered. But insurance today is not what it was ten years ago. And at Ami, we’ve built our business on transparency, technology, and trust.
Let’s look at how insurers, including us, piece together the truth.
“Suppose there’s a crash. The policyholder claims they were the one driving. But what if they weren’t? Our assessors and investigators routinely gather on-site intel, interview third parties, consult security footage, and—yes—speak to the neighbour who always knows who drives what,” explains Khumalo. “It’s not just guesswork; it’s systematic verification.”
Or let’s say the driver insists they hadn’t been drinking. That claim might unravel with something as simple as an open bottle in the car—or, in more serious cases, a blood alcohol test from the hospital. Investigators can even speak with the venue where the person was last seen. In high-stakes claims, every detail matters.
And the idea that previous insurance history—or lack thereof—can be hidden? Credit bureaus like TransUnion retain those records. A missing history can speak just as loudly as a full one. Even past losses that didn’t result in claims, such as police reports or repair invoices, are traceable and relevant.
So, what should clients and brokers keep in mind?
- Be upfront from the start. It’s always better to disclose everything when applying for insurance. Hidden facts can come back to bite you at claim stage.
- Understand what’s relevant. Even events that didn’t involve a formal claim can still be material. If you filed a police report or called in an emergency service, mention it.
- Honesty protects everyone. Fraudulent or incomplete disclosures compromise the system—and ultimately hurt honest policyholders.
- Work with your broker. At Ami, we work exclusively through trusted brokers who help guide and support clients through the application and claims process.
“At Ami, we take our responsibility seriously. We work exclusively through brokers because we believe in professional, accountable partnerships,” says Khumalo. “Our claims process is designed to be fair—but rigorous. We use digital tools, data science, and skilled human insight to get a full picture of risk and behaviour. It allows us to protect those who play by the rules and ensure that when legitimate claims arise, they’re honoured quickly and cleanly.”
This is the heart of modern underwriting: not suspicion, but diligence. Not assumption, but intelligent verification. And the best outcomes still come from the oldest principle in the book—honesty.
The more we know, the better we can serve you. And for those who disclose openly, the industry works exactly as it should: as a safety net, a partner, and a backstop when life takes an unexpected turn.
At Ami, we’re proud to be building a smarter, more transparent insurance model—one claim, one policy, one honest conversation at a time.
BIO: Simphiwe Khumalo is a Portfolio Manager at Ami Underwriting Managers (Pty) Ltd. Ami is an underwriting agency for Lombard Insurance Co, dedicated to providing bespoke insurance products in the personal lines space to our chosen market segments, namely aspirational millennials and the high net-worth, wealth market. www.ami.co.za