Old Mutual vs small policy holders

My name is Edward Jordaan. I was an Old mutual short term policy holder. However after the way they treated my claim no. ***, I urge Old Mutual policy holders to BEWARE. YOU BE THE JUDGE.

1. I have paid in excess of R2,000.00 per month for over a decade to OLD MUTUAL to insure my house as well as my house contents. 2. During a severe storm in Gauteng in Feb/March 2021 my house in Midfield Estates suffered damage. The wind moved some roof tiles. The result was that rain water entered the ceiling and damaged the ceiling and some walls. 3. Quite a few houses in the area suffered damage during the severe storm. As in such events, I obtained quotes and reported the matter to my broker who submitted a claim to Old Mutual. I immediately had the roof repaired as I did not want to inconvenience my tenants. 4. Old Mutual appointed Midrand Loss Adjusters cc to inspect the damage. 5. The house was on the market and the agent together with their valuators valued the house at R3,900,000.00. Midrand loss Adjusters valued the house at R1,000,000.00 more than the agent. Obviously this valuation would result in an under insured situation. When questioned we were told they used a satellite photo to do the valuation and did no proper visit or valuation. Incidentally, the house was sold for R3,7000,000.00. Now rumors' were rife that Old Mutual had instructed valuators to be tough on on the homeowner's claims because heavy pay outs were being made to COVID 19 claims. I sincerely hope this is not true. 6. An offer was made to settle my claim for R1,770.93. This due to undervaluation due to high valuation and previous damage to the lounge ceiling. I explained that the patch on the ceiling (measuring approximately 1 square meter ) resulted from the fitting of a pool heating system. The contractor moved some roof tiles and this caused a water leak. I repaired this damage myself. No claim was submitted to Old Mutual. I paid the repairs myself. I therefore refused their settlement offer. 7. The offer was increased from R1,770.93 to R6,645.71. As I had already had the rest of the damage repaired ( personally painting walls etc. ) and paid a contractor R7,500.00 to paint the approximately 80 square meter ceiling in the lounge, I told them that their job was to put the insured in the same economical position as he was before the damage. Thus I suggested they pay me the R7,500.00 I paid les R300.00 for the square patch that was not properly painted previously. Thus R 7,200.00. All of a sudden they reneged and said the house had not been maintained properly therefore they refuse to assist me. Their own valuator stated in his report that the house was in very good condition in a written report. I have been spending quite a lot of money getting the house into pristine condition for the pending sale. 8. I have all the correspondence as well as photos of the damage which I will happily forward to you. 9. I referred the case to the ombudsman for short term insurance. After quite a few months they advised me that they are closing the file and if I felt strongly about it to take the matter to court. I have followed their advice. I am taking it to the people's court. YOU BE THE JUDGE.