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Pat M

1 reviews | Active since Apr 2012

01 Mar 2024, 15:37

Insurance condones contractor's shody workmanship

I had a power surge on my property. The damage was extensive, with lights exploding and all my kitchen appliances, printers and power banks blown I sorted out most at my own expense. I logged a claim with Santam for the garage door motor and the intercom which did not work. I was advised Digicall Assessing Solutions would be in contact. They sent an assessor. Next. I get a call from VCS Electrical asking me what the problem was? They made 3 appointments to come on site, then refused to arrive until I paid the excess upfront. I told VCS I was happy to pay the excess when they arrived on site. VCS installed a garage door motor that is NOT capable of handling my double garage door. The spec on the motor installed indicates it’s for a single garage door, and retails around R2 000, my garage door is larger than a double custom made garage door that clearly needs a bigger garage door motor than was installed. I told the contractor that the garage door motor was clearly straining and could not handle the weight of the double wooden door, the contractor told me to put Q20? VCS also replaced the sound board on my intercom did nothing else but charged for a new intercom system, the total value of the claim as advised by the Santam claims advisor is just over R14 000. After the contractor left. I immediately contacted Santam and advised I was REALLY concerned the garage door motor that was installed was straining badly and struggling to handle the weight of the double wooden door, I was really concerned the motor would either burn out in 6 months or the door would fall on my car. I email my claims advisor at Santam that I felt that the repairs that were done di not restore the functionality I had before, and that I felt the money paid for the work done was totally exaggerated. I shared that I felt I have been short changed and that the repairs did NOT meet my expectations or restore the functionality I enjoyed before the insured event. Furthermore I noted in the email to Tasleem Bester, that I would be penalised when Santam reviewed my claim ratio for my annual premium increase. Tasleem responded via email on Monday 26 February, saying he referred the complaint to Digicall and awaited their feedback. Today I get an email from Sipho Sithole advising that the complaint and claim has been finalised and closed? Without any feedback. I am so not impressed with Santam, who appointed Digicall who in turn appointed VCS whose customer service was shocking. I feel very strongly that my claim has been very badly handled by Santam and to just ignore the concern regarding the workmanship and complaints I voiced, and close the claim is TOTALLY unacceptable and NOT what I expected from Santam at all. I have had my personal household insurance with Santam since 1977 which is why I moved this building insurance policy to Santam.

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