EO
Elsabe O

1 reviews | Active since Oct 2016

11 Feb 2025, 11:32

King Price Assessor Happy to Repair Vehicle with Parts obtained from S**** Yeard

So last week I wrote a review for King Price based on the experience and service I received to date and honestly, I was happy at that time with the swift responses and how my claim was handled. I therefore gave them a 5-star rating. However, it turns out that the rating and review were done pre-maturely and I should have delayed until the vehicle was fixed.

After making an appointment for the vehicle to be fixed with one of the King Price partners, the partner phoned be back to let me know that I should not make the co-payment yet and that they would be in contact with me soon. They phoned me back 2 days later to let me know that I could bring the vehicle in for repairs on the planned date, but they were still arguing with King Price regarding the budget approved to fix the vehicle. They were instructed by the assessor to purchase the parts needed for the vehicle repair from a s****yard in Pretoria West, or to repaint the existing bumper. I declined this offer as I have seen firsthand how refurbished and repainted bumpers start peeling after a while.

I contacted King Price regarding this ridiculous situation and was told that the assessor would be contacting me soon. No call back was received. I contacted them again today and there is no record on the system of my previous call or request to speak to the assessor. It seems like King Price is avoiding this situation and taking no responsibility for the assessors they work with and the decisions they make. Why should I be paying a premium, plus a R4500 co-payment just for them to use smashed-up parts to repair my vehicle? I am awaiting feedback and will update my reviews based on how this is handled further.

For now, my recommendation is to avoid King Price.

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Replies (3)
EO
Elsabe O's update11 Feb 2025, 11:34
Reviewer Update
The title should read:
King Price Assessor Happy to Repair Vehicles with Parts obtained from S**** Yard
King Price Insurance
King Price Insurance's reply27 Feb 2025, 09:21
Official
Hi Elsabe

Our assesing team will be in contact to discuss. Please see below article from the Ombudsman for short term insurance regarding vehicle repairs:

''The Office of the Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance frequently receives complaints from consumers concerning the use by Insurers when repairing motor vehicles of so-called “pirate parts” as well as second hand components. There is a perception on the part of the public that an Insurer is obliged, when repairing a motor vehicle, to use new original factory supp**** parts in all instances.

The Ombudsman, Mr. Brian Martin, says ”the cost of repairing damaged motor vehicles has risen significantly over time and is a major factor in the high cost of motor vehicle insurance. If premiums are to be kept at reasonable levels and increases in premiums within similar bounds, it is imperative that everything possible be done to keep repair costs down, but at the same time without compromising safety or quality standards.” The low incidence of comprehensive motor vehicle insurance is an area of major concern to the Ombudsman and the less affordable insurance products are the greater the temptation on the part of consumers to self-insure, which can have far-reaching consequences not only for the motorist himself, but society at large.

The Ombudsman points out that in the modern world very few motor manufacturers actually manufacture the components incorporated into their motor vehicles and a high percentage of these components are sourced from specialist component manufacturers. Components may be common to more than one make of motor vehicle. A distinction is to be drawn between components made by reputable manufacturers which conform to recognise safety or quality standards and those which may be classified as **** or unauthorised copies made by unspecified manufacturers, often in China. Original factory supp**** components must be fitted whenever a critical component of the motor vehicle may be damaged or where the warranty or maintenance plan of a vehicle may be adversely affected by the fitment of other components. Depending upon the circumstance of each case and in particular the age and condition of a car, there is however no reason why components made by outside component manufacturers should not be used where this can result in cost savings, provided that issues of safety or reliability are not compromised. The use of second hand parts, where appropriate, is also to be encouraged as a cost saving measure. The Ombudsman stresses that no hard and fast rule can be laid down and that each case must be assessed on its own individual merit. However, he appeals to members of the public to be reasonable and practical in their approach to the repair of accident damage and by insurers, pointing out that the underlying purpose of insurance is one of indemnification and not enrichment. ''



King Price Insurance
King Price Insurance's reply19 Mar 2025, 10:24
Official
Our assessing team has been in contact to discuss your concerns related to the vehicle parts. For any further information kindly contact our claims department directly.