I was referred by a current Sanlam customer who sent me a link to see if Sanlam could beat my existing insurance premium. The deal was simple: if they couldn’t, I’d qualify for a R500 Takealot voucher. Since I’m always looking for ways to save money long

I was referred by a current Sanlam customer who sent me a link to see if Sanlam could beat my existing insurance premium. The deal was simple: if they couldn’t, I’d qualify for a R500 Takealot voucher.

Since I’m always looking for ways to save money long-term, I submitted a request to be contacted. During the telephonic quote, the consultant (who was genuinely lovely to deal with) offered me an installment of R2922.03 — keep in mind my current premium is just over R2200. He said he’d speak to his manager and get back to me.

That was at 11am. By 3pm, I still hadn’t heard back, so I submitted another request. He eventually called, explaining his manager had been in a meeting. After checking, he told me the best they could do was R2600 — still higher than my current premium.

At that point, I mentioned the promotion: since they couldn’t beat my premium, I should qualify for the R500 Takealot voucher. Here’s where things got interesting. He asked me to hold again while he spoke to his manager. When he returned, suddenly they could offer me an installment of R2059!

So let’s recap: initially, they couldn’t beat my premium. But the moment the voucher was mentioned, they magically dropped the price by over R500. That’s not transparency — that’s manipulation.

Two years ago, Outsurance tried to beat my premium and couldn’t. True to their word, they gave me R1500 because I’d been claim-free for three years. No drama, no stories — just fairness.

Sanlam, you were not that. You couldn’t beat my premium, then suddenly you could. If you’re going to run promotions, at least deliver them honestly.