Discovery Insure Beware

<p>On 8 June 2017 I was involved in a collision with a lady who reversed into me. She was very apologetic and admitted liability. She was shaken and upset and I assured her not to worry because that is why we have insurance. Ha. Unfortunately for me, my Insurance is with Discovery. I duly lodged my claim and was advised to take my vehicle to their Assessors for an assessment which I did the following day. the assessor took photographs and advised me that the side panel would have to be replaced. I heard nothing from Discovery, even after numerous phone calls and emails. Eventually, I took my vehicle to Autotrust who is on Discovery's repair panel. They submitted their quote and discovery eventually advised me and them that they can do the repair but will not pay for the replacement of the side panel. They advised Discovery that the panel was not repairable. no response from Discovery, again numerous emails and phone calls but to no avail. I then took the vehicle to another of the repairers on their panel, Paramount Bodyworks who also confirmed the panel has to be replaced and cannot be repaired. another leading Body repairer, Technodent also confirmed the panel has to be replaced but Discovery's Assessors up in Johannesburg who not seen the vehicle, only photographs, are not interested. Although I did not request a quote from another top Body repairer, my question to them was this. Can you repair the panel or must it be replaced?Their answer was it has to be replaced. My advice to everyone out there. All is well and good until you have a claim, then the proverbial hits the fan. My advice is this, cancel your insurance with Discovery BEFORE you have a claim. I am now being forced to take legal action against Discovery Insure. Something I was hoping to avoid. The irony of this, they cannot win the case. All I want is for my vehicle to be put back into the same condition it was in prior to the accident. Panel beating and filling up with body filler/putty will not do it for me. Forty-two days have passed since I lodged my claim. Disgusting lack of service.</p>