unpaid insurance claim

I receive the notice that my claim has been rejected and the damage will not be covered by this policy.

This I did not understand how or why. I was told that the structure was old, that there are trees around it and that the yard were not “maintained.

Yes the fence is old. I would assume it was build many years ago. Just like the house is old and is covered so is the fence and everything that goes with it.

I bought the house in May and there have been tenants there. The yard has been maintained since until they went on holiday for the month of November and the yard was not done just for this month. This damage happened in October and there was nothing wrong with the yard in terms of being maintained. The only reason the grass was not cut was because the tenants were not there for the month.

All houses have trees and this is a standard for most homes. I do not understand why the claim was rejected because of trees growing near the fence. Was I suppose to buy the house in May and cut all the trees? The fence was built many years ago and even the little trees close to it have grown (it not even that big) and the roots have spread, it is how nature works. Why that I am claiming you tell me about the roots growing. How do I stop the roots from growing?

On the day of the incident, I was at the house. It was after weeks of rain and on that particular day, Sunday 20 October 2023, while chatting to the tenants we heard a huge sound and we went to check. The side of the fence had collapse. The ground sank down and brought the whole side of the fence down to the neighbours drive way. It also caused the water pipe to burst. We then had to switch the water off from the main switch and had to buy pipes to fix it as it was urgent and important that the tenants have water. We try to remove what was remaining of the fence as it posed a danger to the neighbours. We left a part of the fence that was still standing, but that too is ready to fall at any given time as it was connected to the part that sank down and was damage.

It was pouring with rain on that day and, and the days before that. If I had not witnessed the damage myself , I would not have believed it, the way the ground sank down. I believe that it had nothing to do with the trees that have been there for years or the uncut grass. It is due to all the rains that have been occurring in KZN and I strongly believe that this kind of damage would not have happened if it was not for the continuous rains. Your report claims that this damage was caused by “old rains”. I ask myself, which old rains, are they referring too? I bought the house in May and it has been covered since then. This means any rain that has occurred since May and has contributed to the damage of the fence was covered. Why now tell me that on this particular day, when the fence eventually collapse, you would say it was not due to rains between May - October and it was because of the fence that is not properly erected. Why then did the fence not just fall on it own if it was not properly built? Why sink the ground with it and not just fall on it own. Why that it has been up for many years and when such manor rains come and cause the damage you blame it on other things ( grass, roots, built incorrectly).

When I bought the house the fence was fine, it was erected and I assume it has been like that for many years. You insisted there be insurance taken to cover the house for such reasons as damage from the rain, floods etc, there is no place in the clause that informed me to check when all items insured were built. You did not ask when the items where built, installed or bought. You do not make an assessment that will inform me that if the property is in a particular state or if it is already old it will not be covered.

This makes me wonder, what will happen if for an example the geyser bust, or there is another damage that occurs in the house due to natural disaster? Will you come and tell me it was not fitted properly or this and that was not done. Why should it mater when the house was built, how old the fence is or how many rains have contributed to the damage?

I insure the house and everything in it and around it as I had bought it. I do not understand or accept that months later you will come and tell me that the fence was not build correctly just because I have submitted a claim. This fence is a danger for us and the neighbours as what is left of it can fall at any given time. Plus the soil will now fall into the neighbours drive way with more rains that we have been having. We all know that KZN has been struggling with major floods and heavy rains. That is why we cover against such occurrences. Why does it become a struggle when we have to claim and you point out things that have no relevance.

I am not pleased with the outcome of this claim , the manner they have handled it and the lack of professionalism.

this was far the worst experience with ABSA and if it was not for this home loan i would have left. it is really not an insurance broker I would recommend to anyone.

i would give them a zero. they are happy to take your money but when they have to pay up when you claim, they will come up with all sort of reasons why they wont pay. all this is a ****.