Insurance and Credit Life

ABSA Credit life and insurance is absolutely appalling, they look for every excuse not to pay a retrenchment claim.

So, firstly, Absa has been very good to me over the years, and I've returned the favor by diligently paying all my cars, cards, loans etc.

Unfortunately I fell on hard times and I was retrenched, Once I learnt of this retrenchment, I immediately contacted credit life, and informed them of the same, only after 5 emails I received a response stating "Insurance claim deferred for 30 days to verify loss of income" this was on the 9th of September, therefore on the 9th October they should have now verified loss of income.

That said, I did not pay my credit cards at the end of September as their terms and conditions clearly state that they allow one month arrears on all claims,

On the 9th October I engaged once again with Credit life and after 16 emails I get a response, their response was on the 27th stating my insurance claims are repudiated on the basis that: 1. Accounts are in arrears by 1 month 2. I should have paid my cards end of September. 3. I did not log the claim intime, despite them stating claim deferred for 30 days on the 9th September.

ABSA really has something to learn from Woolworths, I logged a claim on the 9th for both my store card and credit card. Within 48 hours the claim was approved and payments made without hesitation, without fighting and without needing an entire pedigree and explanation.

I guess Absa will be seeing me at the Insurance Ombudsman shortly as their excuse is just atrocious.

I'd also like to add that absa cheque account also had a retirement benefit that I was oblivious to, when I found out I claimed there too, and promptly had approval in less than 24 hours and payment to me in 48 hours to cover some expenses.

So in certain instances Absa has great staff, in certain instances Absa has amazing departments that actually support you and has empathy to one's uncontrolled situation which I truly appreciate through this difficult and challenging time but in other instances, other departments are just absolutely insanely arrogant and totally refuse to assist and don't actually understand their own terms and conditions.

I'm not saying I'm in the right, no, I do agree that end September I didn't pay the accounts on the basis that I had 30 days leeway as per terms and conditions, now they trying to use that as a scape goat.

I'm bitterly disappointed Absa.