Dent Doctor - Selby - Pathetic, Unqualified Repairers

Dent Doctor - Selby

My vehicle had previous hail damage but I was unable to claim from insurer as my mom had to undergo an operation and I needed my vehicle. I tried claiming thereafter but Santam required Date, time and images of incident which I did not have. Then on 26th February 2021, it hailed, which resulted in further damage of my car. My vehicle bonnet, bumper, fenders and door got damaged. I claimed on the Santam app. Santam chose Dent Doctor as an approved repairer. They sent an assessor to assess the vehicle. My excess was R4500.00. I know of another Panelbeater whose work is impeccable and they would provide me with a vehicle to use while my vehicle is being repaired. I requested from, Sello, Santam Agent, for repairer to be changed. I received a call from a rude and arrogant consultant at Dent Doctor that I am not allowed to change repairers. I know from other previous insurer sthat I receive a list of repairers to choose from. Sello could not assist me and asked me to contact Peter. Peter explained that Santam has certain approved hail repairers.I then contact the repairer I wanted and they confirmed that while they are Santam approved repairers, Santam has only chosen a few hail repairers in the South of JHB and Dent Doctor is 1 of them. I had no option but to send my vehicle in. During the process I received a call Dent Doctor, saying they want to repair my vehicle’s bumper for an amount of R3000/3500. I told them I am not interested. This should have been part of the repairs. I eventually received my vehicle before end of day. All “looked” good. The vehicle had body filler throughout the car. I am super busy and could not have the car washed. I emailed Peter asking why the Front Bumper had not been repaired to which he responded that the bumper is not hail damaged and I should send new images. I let the matter go, as this process has been super frustrating. I washed my car on Friday, 19th April 2021, I washed my car. The washer supervisor called me to show the excessive lacquer and polishing on the bonnet and the fenders were not properly sprayed. I immediately emailed Santam. Peter responded by requesting Dent Doctor to respond to me. I awaited as it was a Friday afternoon that I emailed. No response till Monday. On Tuesday, 20th April 2021, I emailed Santam complaints requesting how to take the matter further. Thereafter Peter sent an email mentioned that EVERYONE at the Dent Doctor is off sick. We finally arranged for my vehicle to go in on 28THApril 2021. I then received an email, quoting me R1500 for repairing the front bumper. I did not accept the quote. Dent Doctor said my vehicle will be ready on 05/05/2021. I had to once again arrange for transport. I arranged for the vehicle to be collected. Dent Doctor’s website says closing time is 5pm. Apparently they close at 4. Anyway upon collection, fenders were not corrected. Their excuse this time was, they are short staff. Collect my vehicle on 07/05/2021. The fenders still has bubbles aka “Fish Eyes” on it. I am so over this! I have NEVER claimed from any Insurer that I have prior been insured with. While easy to claim via Santam, DENT DOCTOR repairer is a TERRIBLE company. They do not know their job. I might as well have given my car to the panelbeaters that do repairs in their backyards. They would have done a better, faster job and repaired my bumper, for a lower cost than the excess I was charged. Is insurance even worth it???? I sent an email to Peter Smith (Santam), enquiring if Dent Doctor will be the only repairer should I have a future incident other than hail damage. His response was and I quote “We have different Hail specialist to choose from.” Santam and DENT DOCTOR told me that I AM NOT allowed to choose a repairer. So they both **** to me and are possibly lying to other clients as well. Utterly disappointed by this 3 MONTH ********** experience!