All accident damage not repaired, but my car is "ready for collection."

My car has been for repairs at the panel beaters for more than four weeks. My car is ready for collection, although all the damage occurred in the accident has not been repaired, but is considered to be wear and tear.

Since day one after taking my car for its first accident assessment, the insurance approved panel beaters had said that my car could be in for repairs for nine weeks, and the assessment was done incompletely. The assessment had to contain extensive photographs of my car, but only a written assessment was done and I had to return for another assessment with an un-roadworthy vehicle. I contacted the Insurance to ask for alternative approved panel beaters where I could take my car for additional quotes, but this was the only approved company in my home town.

After submitting the quote to Old Mutual Insure, I was notified to take my car for repair work amounting to R 25 000. My co-payment is an additional R 3 500. After two weeks, the panel beaters contacted me to say that car was ready for collection. On my arrival I noticed a number of faults. The bonnet was clearly misaligned, the top engine cradle was full of dents even though on the quotation it was stated to be replaced and not repaired. The radiator cover was still broken. Both fender liners were still broken. the fog lamp cover on the left hand side was still not replaced. I refused to take collection of my car as it was not repaired as stipulated in the quotation.

I contacted Old Mutual Insure to convey my concerns and disappointment with the repair work done on my car. I was assured that the case would be attended to and repairs would be completed speedily. A week later the panel beaters contacted me again to say that my car was again ready for collection. Yet again, all repairs was not done on my car. The right fender liner was replaced, but I was told that the left fender liner as well as the missing left fog lamp cover would not be replaced as this was considered "wear and tear “on my vehicle, even though it was clearly caused by the accident as the impact was full frontal.

Again I contacted Old Mutual Insure to express my disappointment with the yet again incomplete repairs done on my car. I was given the contact details of the assessor at Old Mutual Insure. I contacted the assessor and explained my case. The assessor assured me that immediate action would be taken to resolve my case as this service was unsatisfactory to Old Mutual Insure's policy. I was promised that the case would be attended to the same day. A week has gone by with no feedback from either company.

Again I contacted the assessor and the reply was as follows: "...I completely forgot to call you back.... I did not have your contact details..... A field assessor has been sent to assess the damage, but the outstanding repairs are considered 'wear and tear'.... No further repairs will be done on the vehicle..."