Old Mutual refuses to pay for damages on my vehicle and is forcing me to accept a digital assessment fee!

This review is posted on behalf of my mother Paula Mandiwane

I am highly dissatisfied with the service that I have received from Old Mutual; it has been over five months since my car was involved in an accident, yet still no repairs or payout. On the 4th May my vehicle was hit by a fork lift, the driver accepted responsibility and I was subsequently referred to his insurance company (Old Mutual). The claims/payout processes have been an absolute nightmare, as no payment has been made to date and I’m still driving a damaged vehicle. I was requested to obtain three quotes from Ranger Rover approved panel beaters; I obliged; obtained the quotes and shared these with Old Mutual. The quote range was as follows: Quote 1- R159 780,69; Quote 2- R162 771,01 and Quote 3- R179 598,80. After submitting the quotes to Old Mutual I was sent from pillar to post and eventually received feedback on the settlement payment that would be made following the completion of a digital assessment. The settlement payment was concluded at R72 782,09 which is absolutely pathetic as this is not even 50% of the quotes I obtained and shared with Old Mutual. It baffled me how Old Mutual derived to settlement amount, from my experience with the panel beaters; none could provide a quote without a physical view of the vehicle. I cannot understand how Old Mutual was able conclude on the digital assessment. To make matters worse, I am expected to accept this ridiculous settlement fee and go out and get my vehicle repaired; it is further highlighted that in the event the damages exceed the settlement fee then I’ll be liable for the difference. I am not prepared to compromise on the quality of the repairs and encounter endless issues long after the vehicle has been repaired because of Old Mutual’s shoddy assessment. Obtaining feedback from Old Mutual’s team has been a futile exercise; Hlulani Nkuna an Old Mutual representative from Omnisure has provided absolutely no assistance and has shown no empathy. Please do right and pay me what is due to me so I can get my vehicle repaired.

Regards

Paula Mandiwane