Unfair Treatment Received from Oakhurst Insurance Company

Hello Peter

Please be aware of the poor service that I have received from Oakhurst Insurance Company. I have insured my two vehicles with them. I have reported an incident of my vehicle which got involved into an accident on 24 April 2019. They picked the car and have put it to the Panel Beaters of their own Choice and since that day, I have received the worst service. I contacted the company the next morning after the incident. I was allocated a consultant called Babalwa Pita as assigned to my claim. I waited for almost two weeks with no forth coming of the status of my car and my claim. I was the one who looked for the Panel Beater where my car was kept to forward them the contact numbers so that they could move.

Secondly, I was told that the car will be assessed by Crozel who immediately called me on the 07th of May after an hour of receiving such notification. He told me that fixing my car will be too much and exceed the Retail value to it. He said they will right it off or there can be a payout of a certain amount to me, so that I can fix the car on my own and incur any costs above the pay - out amount. He said I should await the paper work from Oakhurst.

Thirdly , on 09 May 2019 I received an sms from Riaan who told me that he was in a process of moving the car from the Panel Beaters to their facility in Cape Town as it has been declared a right off. As shocked as I was in the morning I called Riaan who told me that he had been advised as such, and referred me to Babalwa Pita. The communication deteriorated from there as I was receiving different views from different people from Oakhurst as described below. I called Babalwa, and she told me that the car is a right off and there is only one option to pay the amount to my bank. I told her that I need my car fixed and let us look for other options. She said they will allow me 7 days to think about that. On Monday 13 May 2019, a call was received from a lady called Amanda, who said to me she has been told that I said my car should not be moved from the Panel Beaters. I told her that I was told by Babalwa that I will receive a document from Salvage Department. I have not received it yet, and I told her that I do not want them to right off my vehicle. Out of a discussion with her after putting me on hold twice speaking with other people whilst I am on hold, she said I should request for a letter from my Finance Bank, which will state that they should pay the amount into my account, and forward it to them. After they will sit as the Team and she cannot guarantee that they will do that. Today, 14 May 2019 I received an email from Oakhurst Insurance which was informing me that my claim has been finalised, with a copy from Wesbank stating the settlement amount , and the Authorised agreement from Oakhurst. They are deducting 30 percent of the settlement amount as their excess fees, leaving me with the amount that is 1/3 of my settlement amount, which they intend on paying on Thursday to Wesbank.

The most strange thing is that, they have a copy of my settlement amount without my consent, which I also find it ******* and irregular for Wesbank to issue such information to the Third Party without contacting me and receiving my consent. They are moving forward to pay the little amount as settlement, and they want to leave me with no car , and also to incur the difference of the amount on my account.

I want to warn South Africans from these Hyenas who have got the worst service standards, and without thinking twice, please move away from this company and never do any business with them as these people will put you on the same spot as me without thinking twice. These people will hurt you.

Be Warned.

Andile