Budget Insurance - unhelpful call centres and callous insurer.

As I sit here typing this trying to login to Budget Insurance's webpage, yet again I am reminded of what a terrible experience I have had with them. I wish I could attach a screenshot of the loading screen merrily just turning around and around on their webpage...

I've been with them for 5 years and I have not claimed once. Never been in an accident, never scratched my car. I have however added an extra vehicle and I've also NEVER been late with a payment...not once.

Despite my excellent track record this did not deter Budget from pushing my premiums up when we moved to an even safer area...I had to first sit on the phone with them for over an hour and have them still not be able to assist me because and I quote "the system is slow"

Only after complaining and threatening to move insurers did I eventually get a reply and suddenly my premiums were miraculously lower...which makes me wonder how much they were overcharging me in the first place? Despite my better judgment I decided to stay with them, because after all they did in the end, drop my premiums (albeit after a bit of a fight)

Fast forward 2 months later and I was nearly in an accident on the highway, a truck lost its load right in front of me and I had what for me was a very traumatic experience. I changed my tyre and managed to limp along to a tiger wheel and tyre where the gentleman assisting me said I couldn't drive with the tyres they were so damaged.

Still in shock from my experience I changed my tyres and paid for it because after all I need my car and I have insurance. In addition I've taken out an additional service covering scratches dents and tyres for both my cars. Why should I have a problem claiming considering my insurance history?

Fast forward another month and still no reply from Budget despite me emailing the Invoice to them and explaining my terrible experience (And no budget I didn't manage to take the truck drivers details who kept on driving just so we're clear) and thanks very much for appreciating that I was nearly in a massive accident on the highway.

Move on a couple days to today and I get a call from someone who refused to put me through to anyone in charge because apparently she was in charge..I'm sure... only to tell me that budget would only pay 50% of the damages.

What is the point of me paying budget exactly? They've probably made a good R60-100K off of me but yet when I am in a legit position of needing them they cannot manage to cover R3000 for my tyres but instead inspect me to what? Leave my car in the garage for a month while they get back to me? Perhaps I should have taken a Bicycle to work? or maybe a Bicycle to take my pregnant wife to the hospital while waiting for the ever "stellar" service from Budget.

Extraordinarily disappointed.