BAD BEYOND BELIEF!

It’s been more than a month now since that horrific hail storm in Jhb.. I was hoping that by now I would be able to put a more positive review of Absa insurance following my complaint here on Hello Peter a month ago.. but alas. My complaint did indeed get some attention - I was allocated an internal claims assessor- which should’ve been the case from the start was of me logging a claim. The assessor and I decided that I would source my own contractors for the varied & extensive repair work that needed to be done, since Absa’s assessors turned out to be useless. I have spent hours on the phone; showing contractors around the house and sending quotes; making follow up calls and sending emails to Absa over the past month… all of this of course is supposed to be what THEY do in exchange for our monthly premiums!!!! At this point - I’ve submitted all my quotes - of which 3 were rejected due to supposed ‘wear and tear’ prior to the hail storm… Question: If you had a crack in your wall prior to a hail storm and then post the storm you had a crack and multiple other damages does that render your claim null and void?? Surely you are able to claim for the damage caused by the storm, apart from the precious wear and tear that has now left your property worse off? Am I just unrealistic? Anyhow - having submitted all these quotes and a decision having been made by the assessor as to the amount we will be paid out, I have had to make 3 phone calls to the call centre (!!), plus I have sent 3 emails - (none of which have been rep**** to) and finally after all this we were sent a claim settlement form 2 days ago - we signed and sent it right back and here we still sit and wait for the payment to be made. I will be on the phone to the call centre again in the morning to find out when we will be paid and to request a breakdown of what we have actually been paid out for. This is just the most useless service and horrific experience! All contractors are now closing and the only work we’ve had attended to at this point is our roof, which Absa did approve after I made a fuss. We will spend the rest of our holidays in a house that is damaged and in disrepair in so many areas from the storm - one example - we haven’t had a working heat pump to the geyser for 4 weeks now (just one issue).. Happy holidays, thanks Absa :( The existing damage will only get worse in the weeks ahead as the rains continue .. SUCH A LONG STORY, TO SAY - STAY AWAY FROM ABSA!!!! They are a complete rip! Will take your money and will hide when you need the services for which you pay month in and out!