Claim Repudiation

Dear Leoni

Please note that going forward I am handling this matter on behalf of my father, Mr M. Naidoo. I have already been liaising with Santam and what is of great concern to me is that they have advised that Integrisure handle their own claims and that Santam proceeds on the recommendation of Integrisure. This would lead me to believe that Integrisure had a large part to play in the repudiation of this claim. I was always under the impression that the broker acted on behalf of the insured and I wonder if all of your clients are aware that this is not the case.

Santam have given me an undertaking to investigate this further and provide feedback within 72 hours. Your claims of a “Defective Design and not built in accordance with the required Building Regulations / Specifications” are to say the least ridiculous. The house was built approximately 35 years ago according to approved municipal plans and by a registered building contractor. Furthermore, the storm in question that was the cause of the damage caused massive flooding and damage in the greater Durban region which was reported on extensively on the news as well. Just in the road that my father’s house is, there were numerous houses with collapsed walls including my own. Are we now to believe that ALL of these houses had defective walls?? It must be noted that my insurance company attended to my claim which was not only for a collapsed wall, but also substantial damage to the interior in a very speedy and prompt manner and didn’t attempt to weasel out of the claim.

I would hope that there is no hidden reason behind the repudiation like the fact that my dad had only just recently signed up with Integrisure. One would hate to think that new clients due to their short tenure as a client get the shaft when it comes to valid claims but this will also be investigated. It must be noted that Integrisure actively marketed to my dad to get him to move from his previous insurer of many years only to be treated with utter disregard in his time of need.

Finally, I request that you please forward this email on to senior management as I would like them to be aware (if not already) of this issue and that this is NOT the end of it.