ABSA and EUROPE ASSIST - *********** travel insurance

My wallet was lost/****** yesterday during my visit to Salzburg. It contained all my recently drawn money and my bankcard. I have travel insurance trough ABSA, the top plan according to my understanding, yet I still wonder what the use of such a service is... Spent my last 7EUR trying to contact the ABSA Travel Centre (00 27 11 ********** ). After being redirected numerous times, I ended up at the same department requiring an email address to which travel claim forms could be sent - still have not received.

When I finally arrived at my hotel in Vienna last night, I phoned again, asking for the same documents - still not received by the way. A gentlemen at the emergency department informed me that they only assist with medical issues and that I would have to wait untill I was back in SA to obtain a new bank card or money, and that he would redirect me to ABSA - eventhough I originally phoned the ABSA Travel Centre. There I was told that I had to ask someone in SA to re-apply for a new bankcard and somehow get it courriered to me, al the while explaining that I am abroad, have no money and that I am departing for Rome the following day. I emailed the ABSA travel centre ( ********** this morning, hoping that mail would be more helpful then their call centre. My mail was simply forwarded, still having received no claim documents OR assistance!!

Most assistance I have received thus far in over 28hours is an e-mail from Euro Assist asking for my travel insurance policy number and a contact number they could contact me on. Spent my entire last day in Vienna in my hotel room, waiting for a call - yet still NO communication... As of yet, local authorities have been of more help than my own country/travel insurance.

What is the point of having travel insurance that cleary stipulate the replacement of a lost/****** bank card within 24 hours, and claim of Personal Money lost within the wallet, when all assistance (if it even can be called that) received thus far informs you otherwise? I am utterly disgusted and disappointed with how ABSA Travel Insurance has dealt with this situation as of yet and the seeming incompetence of personel working in the emergency, 24hour claim department.

Departing for Rome tomorrow without any money/ bank cards (cant even have my clothing items washed...) Will not recommend this 'travel insurance' to any individual whatsoever!!