ABSA Insurance - No Integrity

<p>ABSA Property Insurance – what a joke. I initially reported a water leak at my premises on the 18th July 2016. Subsequently I lodged 2 more claims before the leak was finally repaired. It is now over 3 months since the leak was repaired and after several assessments to the peripheral damages there is still no closure. The damage to the shower floor and walls has not yet been compensated for. Neither is there any acknowledgement of the water damage to the adjacent walls and downstairs ceiling. The adjacent carpets were totally waterlogged during the water leaks and yet to date nothing has been done about it. The first assessor recommended replacing the carpets and subsequently a flooring company was sent to take measurements. Since my first notification of the water leak, which took more than two weeks to repair, in that time water also entered the bedrooms and some of the wooden flooring has been damaged. A floor company was also sent to quote for repairs to wooden floors as well.</p> <p>Because of the total lack of correspondence from ABSA I took the liberty to call the flooring company directly. They said they were given the go-ahead to replace the flooring and carpets. They even asked us to come and choose the carpet colour which was limited due to the type of carpet. Since then the story has changed. I seriously think I am being short-changed by ABSA on this matter.</p> <p>The only thing done so far (in three months and after my ‘Hellopeter review) is the replacement of the damaged linen cupboard. Even that was ‘touch and go’. I had to contact the carpenters directly to find out about the status because of the total ‘blackout’ from ABSA. At first the carpenters told us that they were given the go-ahead to replace the cupboard. That changed in a month, to replacing only the carcass and re-using the old doors. I had to communicate my dissatisfaction via the carpenter and eventually the cupboard was replaced fully.</p> <p>In all this time I’ve had no intelligent response from ABSA. The only time ABSA acknowledged my existence was when I wrote a review with ‘Hellopeter’. I then got an immediate response from Claudette Lewis with a reference number and assurance that the matter will be dealt with, and to follow up I should call ********** 141 and select ‘option2’. Option 2, cleverly enough just gives the email and fax details and cuts the call. So I took the hint and sent an email. And no prizes for guessing – NO RESPONSE. Then two days later I called again and selected option 1 and I spoke to a consultant who took down my reference number and said “I will transfer you to Claudette Lewis – sorry she is not available, I will get her to call you). Obviously no call back but I was’nt holding my breath anyway. A day or two later I called again and I insisted on speaking with Claudette Lewis and the consultant gave me her direct line just to get me off her back. Now this direct line ( ********** 240) is ‘one-of-kind’. It goes straight to voicemail “…please dial the extension you want or wait for the operator..sorry the operator is not available…leave a message.” I dialed this number a dozen times and got the same message. This is not a communication line, it is rather an impenetrable barrier designed to keep clients out.</p> <p>I have had it with ABSA Insurance. It seems to me that ‘Hellopeter review’ is the only doorway to the ABSA complaints department. ABSA Insurance is holding out on what is due to me. I want the carpets replaced and compensation for repairs to the bathroom and adjacent walls and ceilings. After three months and 30 calls, I want this matter resolved now.</p>