Poor service

I was involved in a car accident in october due to the other party's negligence and we both did the statement at the police station. Due to the other party delaying the claim, i claimed on my insurance and my insurance was gonna claim on the other party's insurance. I paid r5500 excess which i was told in jan that i will not get back because the other party has also claimed on my insurance. How when we both did the statement stating the incident and the other party agreeing to their mistake? I have done a lot of follow ups with ignored calls and emails