Santam Insurance ****

Hello Peter,

I would like to express my utter disappointment at Santam and their brokers SAU (South African Underwriters). They refused to pay a claim for my wife’s car reason being that I failed to disclose the truth when I took out the insurance policy for her car since it was registered under my name. They say I failed to disclose was that I was arrested for DUI.

I requested the decline in writing. I also requested the recording for when I took out the insurance which was emailed to me. Below is the extract from the letter declining my claim:

Dear Sir / Madam CLAIM NUMBER : CLM ********** 6640 POLICY NUMBER : SAU ********** DATE OF LOSS : 05 02 2018 TYPE OF LOSS : Motor Vehicle Accident

On behalf of our Principal Santam Ltd , we hereby give you notice of voidance of the above policy from the date of commencement namely from the, 01 10 2017 by reason of:

Non-disclosure, mis-description or misrepresentation of a previous case: The following case was not disclosed: Sandton Case 1204/XX/***XX (Please refer to your policy wording, Page 21 with reference to point Q “Non-disclosure, mis-description or misrepresentation) In the circumstances the claim notified need not be dealt with and no admissions whatsoever are made in that regard or in regard to your alleged loss. Your premium, less all amounts due by you, will be refunded due course.

Page 21, Point Q says” Should any of the information supp**** to us be found to be incomplete, inaccurate or untruthful, we have the right to declare the policy null and void and/or decline your claim.”

I went to the police station and requested them to run my ID number through their database and see if I have any ******** record. The above mentioned case showed up. Sandton case 1204/XX/*** is an accusation for a DUI incident that was withdrawn. There is no other case that shows up.

I ran the tape to try and understand where exactly I ****. On the tape the question that the agent asked me was if I was ever CONVICTED of DUI, reckless driving etc…. and my answer was in the negative. I do not dispute Sandton Case 1204/XX/***X. That case was withdrawn. It also clearly states that in the police report. I was never convicted for DUI. They say that I **** but the question in the recording clearly asks if I was ever convicted and hence I rep**** in the negative. According to the dictionary the word convicted means you were charged and found guilty by a court of law.

In my case I was charged (or accused as in the police report) and the case was withdrawn. So, in all, I do have an accusation for DUI in my name when queried with the police database. They further go on and say that they will refund all my premiums. Clearly if I was in the wrong they would not refund me!? What kind of insurance company operates this way by saying that they will refund me my premiums when it’s time to pay??

I URGE everyone never to take out a policy with SANTAM. If any broker calls and says they are underwritten by Santam, I would suggest that you run away quickly. These people should not be in business.