RB
Raees B

1 reviews | Active since Nov 2024

06 Nov 2024, 23:43

Cam Belt issue that could've been avoided

Hi everyone, I have a Ford Fiesta 2017 1.0 Ecoboost and have had some car trouble and don't feel like I'm being covered enough by Innovation Group given the circumstances I'm in, I've laid out the sequence of events below

July 2022: Service plan taken out with Innovation group which was used for the 90k service and the 105k service March 2024: Extended Warranty taken out with Innovation Group July 2024: When my car was taken in for the 105k service the mechanic inspecting the car suggested that I should check with Innovation group about replacing the Cam Belt since I have both a Warranty and Service Plan with them, the consultant that I spoke with from Innovation group said that it can't be replaced yet, even after I explained that the mechanic was recommending the replacement for around R5000. I have since found out why September 2024: One night on my way home from work while driving the car stops moving and I don't know why, so I get it towed to the local Ford Dealer October 2024: My Car gets moved to The Agents Garage in Ottery by Innovation group (Only reason this is 2 stars instead of 1) since the Ford Dealer did nothing to my car for a month (a different review for that one). After their diagnosis and stripping, they see that the Cam Belt had snapped and caused the issue with the car, this now will cost R25000 to fix and the quote is sent to Innovation Group November 2024: Innovation Group gets back to The Agents Garage with an authorisation of R5000 to cover the Cam Belt as stated in my policy

Something to note is that this is a known issue with Ford 1.0l engines with their wet cam belts. This brings me to my point, I'd like some clarity with the reasoning as to why I couldn't have the Cam Belt replaced when it was recommended at the 105k service, it does fall in line with both the Warranty and Service Plans, and it was not like I made the decision on my own, I was told that it shouldn't be replaced by the Innovation Group Consultant, should they not have had up to date information about when it needs to be replaced since they knew that at that moment was not the right time? I feel like I am in a R25k situation that could've been avoided with a R5k replacement, I trusted the information given to me by the consultant of Innovation group because I've not had any issues with them in the past. So to now be in this situation feels like a betrayal of that trust. I have not been blessed with wealth which is why I take out these insurances, and in this case they have said they'll pay for what is stated in the policy (R5k) which is good, but then there's still R20k in other costs related to the Cam Belt failure which could've been avoided and now I will likely have to sell the car which I do not want to do since it is my first car and has taken care of me and my family for the past 2 years.

I'd just like some clarity on the way forward, is there really nothing else that can be done in this sort of situation?

0
Replies (2)
Innovation Group
Innovation Group's reply07 Nov 2024, 07:27
Official
Dear Mr Raees Bassier We acknowledge receipt of your complaint and thank you for taking the time to notify us thereof. Your complaint has been escalated to a member of our Customer Service Team for investigation and we endeavor to provide feedback in a timeous manner. Should we experience any delays during the investigation of your complaint, our Customer Service consultant will keep you adequately informed regarding the progress of your complaint either telephonically or via email. Best RegardsInnovation Group Customer Services Team 
RB
Raees B's update12 Nov 2024, 12:32
Reviewer Update
Hello again everyone, just adding an update to this endeavour, Innovation Group's Representative's had reached out to me last week to try and sort out my claim and complaint. They were able to then organise an assessor to come out to inspect the damages to the car and thankfully they understood that the issue was not just the Cambelt needing a replacement but a lot of other engine components and miscellaneous parts resulting in the R25000 quote. The issue with the claim is now resolved and they are now covering the entire repair cost, having to lodge a complaint before getting this assistance was still odd, but they managed to get things resolved quickly and efficiently once they knew my issue, thank you for following up on this and special thanks to Sello Matsho and everyone else involved