OUTsured or OUTwitted?

When I entered into the agreement with OUTsurance 3 years ago, I specifically requested to pay a higher premium in order to keep the excess amounts low. I didn't lodge a claim and received my OUTbonus as promised. With this, OUTsurance is extremely well administered.

To my surprise and disappointment the policy is apparently renewed in its entirety every year. I did not realize that! I was under the impression that the conditions into which you enter into the agreement/policy remains the same and that only the premium is renewed, unless you off course request a change in the conditions. So when I receive my annual premium change letter I diligently read and store it, happy with the increase in premium

NO!!!

My car key was ****** from my pocket in an attempt to ***** my car. Lucky for me (and VERY unlucky for the would-be *****/s) I was standing next to my car the minute they tried the key. Botched attempt, but now they have my key, which means I'm unable to park my car just anywhere in fear of them being around, ready to finish the job.

Enquiries resulted in my having to get A SET of new car keys, and the code in my car to be computer-changed. This is not a cheap exercise (around R10k), so I proceeded with a claim, only to be told my excess is over R6k!

Off course I objected (as this was not the agreement I originally made with OUTsurance) only to be told by a very unsympathetic and half-way rude consultant, that my newest increase letter/policy states the high excess amounts. Apparently the policy-taker's wishes/terms are ignored when the increase letter/policy is sent (as if a new policy is entered into) I did not know this!

She made me understand that the onus is on ME to read the ammended policy every year and request changes if I'm not happy. Well, now I know. And will never trust OUTsurance to carry out my requests ever again. Others may disagree with me, but I see this as a ****!