Damaged Vehicle whilst in the care of King Price

I was involved in an accident on the 7th of February 2022. My vehicle was towed to Go Bid JHB on the 8th of Feb and assessed on the 10th of Feb. An assessment report was sent to me the same day by the assessor.

My claim took almost a month before being approved. During the investigation stage, I indicated to my claims assessor that I have to relocate on the 25th of March 2022.

My claim was only finalised, approved and vehicle towed to the repair centre on 1 March 2022.

On 17 March, the repair centre told me they were waiting for parts that King Price were to supply. The parts issue was resolved after several calls and complaints to King Price (KP). This caused a substantial delay on the repairs.

I obviously could not move on 25 March 2022 as my vehicle was obviously not back yet. Additional parts were requested on 24 March, approved by KP on 25 and fitted on the 28th.

Today, the 29th of March, the repair centre advised that the car was ready for collection. When inspecting the car, I realised substantial damage that happened when the car was in KP’s possession. A forklift was used to lift up my car when it was at Go Bid for assessment, which damaged the panel below my doors, on both sides of the vehicle as the forks of the forklift go through to the other side of the vehicle. Clear photos of this allegation are contained in the assessment report the assessor sent me.

I refused accept the vehicle from the repair centre with all the additional damage on the paintwork and vehicle wrap. I sent an email to my claims commander, claims assessor and the assessor, of which none of them responded. I followed with a phone call, spoke with a different lady, who advised that she has escalated my matter. I then called KP again around 16:30 to follow up, and there was no feedback that I could be given. Mind you, I have up until 12:00 noon on Thursday, 31 March to vacate the unit where I stay.

I have on multiple occasions sent emails to the assessor and he has never bothered to respond to any of my emails, same with my claims commander. KP damaged my car, there’s no way forward that has been communicated with me, I have to move out by noon on the 31st and I have not had a car and stuck for almost 2 months.