SANTAM - Themepark or insurer? ; Taken for a ride

I was involved in a minor fender bender with my 2012 Hyundai i20, to which I had hoped would be resolved quite quickly and efficiently- in keeping with the reputation that is held by what I thought was a highly prestigious insurance company known as Santam that has been serving South Africa for over 100 years.

So when I put forth a claim and received back the assessment, it was clear that I was dealing not with an insurance company, but rather one of the most elaborate ******* disguised as an insurance company.

The assessment received valued the damage at R46522.90 (plus R6000 excess) totaling R52522.90. Which places car just within the write-off criteria (as Santam cover up to 50% of the vehicles insured value in repairs).

This is all well and good, except the assessment received contains excessive, unnecessary and inapplicable costs. I have done my own research, and checking Hyundai directly, the parts quoted cost significantly less than what the assessment states. Another issue I take with the assessment is that repairs to paintwork completely unrelated to the accident are included in the quote that drives up the value of the assessment.

Furthermore, another anomaly in this assessment is that I am quoted for parts that my vehicle does not even have, such as a front bumper spoiler.

I just wanted the original parts repaired, I did not know the assessor ran a custom shop and wanted to add extras to my vehicle that I could have gotten when I bought the car from the dealer?

I am also shocked that Santam wants to write off the vehicle after just one assessment that is quite clearly excessive. As an insurer, do you do what is best for your customer or do you do what is convenient for yourself?

I would have expected at least a quotes from 2 or more assessors before arriving at such a major decision to write this car off.

I believe this is a case worthy of going to the Ombudsman for, as the gentleman I have dealt with throughout this case seems to have little regard for my personal circumstance, and financial situation, as I a am young person who would be unable to finance a new vehicle with the money from the write off. Do the people handling your claims have a strong directive to push away young customers? If so, why not tell me when I first joined Santam so that I could have gone to Auto and General where they place customers first....

I thought insurance companies were supposed to alleviate the headaches associated with an accident. Not cause more.

I have spent my whole life wanting to go on a rollercoaster, but I no longer need that adrenalin given the ride Santam has taken me on.