Prime example of how useless ABSA is...

I have been with ABSA since I can remember. I have been paying ABSA for home insurance on my current home since early 2000's and very rarely have I claimed from ABSA.

On 4 December 2018, my gate motor broke to the extent that it had to be replaced. It was not my decision, it was the gate motor specialist that I requested to come inspect the motor that said it should be replaced. Now my wife and I work in the education sector so we come home late at night from time to time. So having a working gate motor is essential for my and my wife's safety when we get home when it is dark. For this reason, I followed the specialist's recommendation and had the motor replaced on the same day as I could not risk our safety by having to get out of the car, pull the gate open, pull the car in and then close the gate again. If we had to wait for ABSA to replace the motor, we most likely would have fallen victim to a hijacking or even worse. The replacement cost was in the region of R6000 which is minuscule when one considers the combined amount of premiums I have paid for the last 18 years.

So ABSA now refuses to pay for the motor because they did not see it. The specialist's opinion means nothing to them and now I have to foot the bill. So if you read between the lines, ABSA feels nothing for the safety and well being of their clients and they are of the opinion that I am trying to pull the wool over their eyes. I have experienced this on many occasions. My son has also had enough of ABSA and moved to FNB. In his case, ABSA refused him a home loan, gave him a ********** credit card interest rate etc. etc. etc. He just had enough and he is beyond happy with FNB. Now hearing all the good he has to say about FNB and knowing the struggles I have with ABSA, I am slowly but surely considering a move to FNB.

So if anyone considers moving to ABSA or getting home insurance from them, I STRONGLY recommend you reconsider. They feel nothing for you, let you stand in queues for days on end in their branches, their professional bankers disappear into thin air when you become a client and they obviously feel nothing for your safety or well being. The only thing they care about is sucking every last cent out of you.

Now I know this is wishful thinking, but I would like ABSA to phone me tomorrow and sort this gate motor issue out immediately. Seeing the amount of trouble FNB goes through to help my son., surely ABSA should provide the same service. If that is not the case, ABSA has a lot to learn from FNB.