ABSA Insurance – R70,000 Independent Quotes Ignored in Favour of R22,000 Assessment

I am extremely disappointed and honestly disgusted with the way ABSA Insurance has handled my claim following severe storm damage.

After a major storm, two large carport roofs (each 7 x 7 metres) collapsed onto my vehicles, causing serious structural damage. The collapse was so severe that the steel support poles were pulled out of their cemented foundations in the ground. This was not minor or cosmetic damage. An assessor attended on 08 January 2026 and took photographs of the collapsed roofs and uprooted poles, so ABSA is fully aware of the extent of the loss.

To ensure fairness, I obtained quotations from independent, reputable service providers, all of whom assessed the damage and quoted approximately R70,000 to properly restore the carports using materials comparable to what existed before the loss. These quotations were formally submitted to ABSA.

Despite this, after weeks of delays and ongoing struggles just to get assessors appointed, I was informed that ABSA allegedly approved only R22,000 based on the assessor’s estimate. It is impossible to understand how multiple independent contractors can reasonably quote R70,000, while ABSA’s assessor values the same work at less than a third of that amount.

The original roofs were in very good condition, constructed with thick, durable roof sheeting. A budget of R22,000 can only result in thin, inferior materials and substandard workmanship, leaving me worse off than before the loss, which defeats the entire purpose of insurance.

What makes this even more unacceptable is ABSA’s apparent willingness to rely on a clearly under-valued assessment, despite photographic evidence, independent quotations, and the obvious structural nature of the damage.

We have been without any carport roofing since 01 December 2025, exposed to further risk and inconvenience, and this is the outcome after weeks of waiting. The lack of urgency, accountability, and fairness displayed throughout this process has been exhausting and unacceptable.

I am now preparing to escalate this matter to the Insurance Ombudsman, as I no longer believe ABSA is handling this claim in good faith. I would strongly caution anyone considering ABSA Insurance to carefully consider how claims are handled when you actually need assistance.