Sasria: riot, strike and terrorism cover in South Africa

What Sasria is

Sasria SOC Ltd describes itself as born in the aftermath of the 1976 Soweto Uprising and as the only insurer in the country offering cover for riots, strikes and public disorder (Sasria). It is a Schedule 3B public entity under the Public Finance Management Act, wholly owned by the government, represented by National Treasury (Integrated Report 2026). Among the laws it operates under, the report lists the Conversion of Sasria Act 134 of 1998, the Insurance Act 18 of 2017 and the Short-Term Insurance Act 53 of 1998.

All figures from Sasria's own Integrated Report 2026.

What Sasria covers

Section 02 of the Material Damage Policy 2026 lists the Defined Events:

• acts aimed at overthrowing or influencing any government by force, fear, terrorism or violence;
• acts meant to cause damage for a political aim, social or economic change, or in protest against any government or authority;
• riot, strike, public disorder (including civil commotion, labour disturbances or lockouts);
• attempts to do any of the above, and action by the authorities to suppress them;
• looting committed as part of those acts.

Products listed by Sasria: Domestic Cover (homes, contents, personal items), Motor, Agricultural, Commercial Property, Business Interruption, Cash, Contract Works, Marine and Transit, municipal and tertiary-institution cover. Commercial Primary Cover protects assets up to R500 million; Wrap Excess of Loss adds cover for a total of up to R1 billion.

How you buy Sasria cover

Sasria works business-to-business-to-client: all business goes through agent companies — South Africa's non-life insurers — and brokers, with no direct sales to the public (Integrated Report 2026).

1. Ask your insurer or broker to add Sasria to your home, motor or business policy.
2. There must be an underlying policy for Sasria to attach to. If you want Sasria only, the agent issues a pro forma underlying policy (policy wording).
3. Check that the Sasria section appears on your policy schedule with its premium — Sasria asks for proof of premium at claim stage (FAQs).

Sasria's Circular 457 (2012) states that its cover is non-refusable, can be taken at any time — even during unrest — with no waiting period, and that the full annual premium is charged.

What Sasria costs

Sasria publishes its rates. From the rates schedule effective 1 October 2025:

Applying the domestic rate to a house insured for R1,500,000 gives about R54 a year (R1,500,000 × 0.003630%). Your insurer's schedule shows the amount actually charged.

How to claim, and the deadlines

Start with your insurer or broker, not Sasria: they confirm that a Sasria event applies, then the claim is registered (Claims Hub). Deadlines in the Material Damage Policy 2026, clauses 5 and 6:

Sasria's FAQs add that motor claims prescribe after 12 months, that its claims forum communicates a decision within five working days once documents are in, that fast-track claims up to R500,000 are usually finalised within 25 days, and complex non-motor claims above R500,000 may take up to 50 days. To follow up: 011 214 0800 or [email protected], with your claim number.

If you disagree with the outcome, see insurance complaints.

Sources

1. Sasria SOC Ltd — official website (products, claims, contacts)
2. Sasria SOC Ltd — About us
3. Sasria SOC Ltd — Integrated Report for the year ended 31 March 2026
4. Sasria SOC Ltd — Material Damage Policy 2026 (policy wording)
5. Sasria SOC Ltd — Claims and underwriting FAQs
6. Sasria SOC Ltd — Claims Hub
7. Sasria SOC Ltd — Updated Rates Schedule, effective 1 October 2025 (v4, published July 2026)
8. Sasria SOC Ltd — Circular 457: cover non-refusable and non-cancellable (30 November 2012)