DK
Desigan K

1 reviews | Active since Jul 2017

27 Sept 2023, 16:32

OSTI should become a internal department inside their clients premises as they clearly collude to protect the corporates

At the end of June our area had experienced a severe storm, this resulted in a portion of our retaining wall collapsing. I had contact standard bank insurance and was given a claim number. A few days later a plumbing contractor had come out to do an assessment, the claim was rejected based on the plumbers. I had submitted an appeal via standard bank and a desktop assessment was done with the same end result. The eThekwini Municipality had come through to inspect the property and had issued a notice in early July indicating that the property was unsafe for human occupation and we were given 48 hours to vacate the property. This was communicated with the bank who did nothing. I had then approached the OSTI for assistance. I received a letter indicating that I should continue making payments on the property whilst they investigate. The city had then issued summons iro of the property and i had to go to Pinetown court. This was also communicated with the ombudsman who claimed at the time that they were still working with the claim and someone will contact me. The long and short of this is, yesterday I received an email from the ombudsman indicating that their preliminary report says that the bank was correct for rejecting the claim of the collapsed wall. What puzzled me is that I wrote to the ombudsman because the claim was rejected but more because the municipality had condemned the property and I had required their "expert" assistance. Clearly OSTI are busy protecting the banks interests. The local municipality has condemned the property as unsafe and these impartial people are busy siding with the bank, worrying about irrelevant issues. I have wasted two months in total waiting for ***ol. I am starting to wonder whether this could be a race issue, whereby white people inside OSTI protect white companies interests

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Replies (4)
DK
Desigan K's update19 Oct 2023, 13:29
Reviewer Update
Response as received: Thu 12/Oct 2023

Good day,

Kindly note that case K332/23 is now being handled by Peter Nkhuna (***) and Joanne Sergel (***).

Regards,


DK
Desigan K's update19 Oct 2023, 13:31
Reviewer Update
Response: 19 October 2023

We refer to the above matter and attach the insurer’s correspondence.

Please point out to this office which section of the policy you regard to cover the condemnation of the wall by the municipality. As by your own admission, you never claimed for this as there was a pending complaint.

Please provide this office with evidence/proof that you have a valid claim. Failing which, this office will not be able to assist. Whether or not there is a claim is based on what the policy says and not a matter of guess work.

Unless you are able to direct us to the section of the policy which indicated that you enjoy cover for the condemnation we cannot assist.

The condemnation is in any event a ******** matter as the summons indicated and would have nothing to do with the civil dispute. It is important that you ensure that he takes whatever steps he deems necessary to comply with the municipal bylaws and regulations. We await your response within 7 days from date hereof.

Yours faithfully

DK
Desigan K's update19 Oct 2023, 13:34
Reviewer Update
Not difficult to see how captured this organization is by the bank, a total waste of three whole ****ing months.
Moral of the story, find the money and pay a real attorney to get optimum results, don't wait on these freebie organizations that would use your complaint as a potential bargaining tool to solicit bribes from the banks or insurers.
Ombudsman for Short Term Insurance
Ombudsman for Short Term Insurance's reply24 Oct 2023, 10:26
Official
Good morning,

Thank you for your feedback. 

I discussed the matter with the Senior Assistant Ombudsman assigned to the case. He advised that (per your pasted quotes above) that the ******** prosecution and condemnation of the wall had nothing to do with our investigation, which was a civil/ insurance dispute against the insurer. 

Our office deals with complaints by insured consumers against their insurance companies. Hence, we require proof that there was in fact a valid insurance claim for which the insurer could be held liable in order to be of assistance. 

As I understand it, you responded by withdrawing your complaint. If you would like to continue with the matter, you are welcome to do so. 

Kind regards,
Marilize