1 reviews | Active since May 2025
Santam's handling of 3rd Party Claims is unacceptable
on the 21st on February 2025 i was in a car accident where a client of santam jumped a stop street and drove into my car. Their car was barely damaged and mine isnt driveable. The driver even admitted that it was completely his fault and I was told to do a third party claim with Santam.. Keep in mind his car was sent in for repairs and dealt with by 24 march where as mine still sits in my yard while I struggle which is really unfair because I wouldnt even be in this situation if their client hadnt hit me. They are so unprofessional when it comes to assisting the 3rd party process or lack their of. Ive sent dozens of emails and still no response. First person my claim was referred to Zama Nene, Then to Itumeleng Lafakane, Then to Siphiwe Mtshwane being the assesor. Last response I received from them was 7 April telling me 10 days turn around time of that report. after 10 business days i emailed asking for an update which Ive got no response. When I have called them they give me the run around connecting me to 5 different people which usually ends with leave your contact number then theyll get in contact with me.. which you can guess how that goes.. no contact at all.
The application I had to fill out online had so many errors as well such as the actual date of the accident and their client cellphone number listed as my cellphone number which I wasnt able to edit.
they expect me to get my car to autoplaces for quotes (Towing fees and Quotes Costs) I must now pay these fees which I find so unfair cause I wouldnt be in this situation if their client hadnt jumped the stop street. The victims of their clients actions dont deserve this treatment. The lack of communication is the worst Ive come across.
their client was 100 percent liable and my car is going to be expensive so I hope they dont come with some absurd offer. Santam give the runaround. I see Im not the only 1 having these issues. Its terrible when I did nothing wrong yet Im left struggling and having to pay these fees. I want an update and my car back to its original state😞😞
They offered me 70% of R24,237.90, based on the “lowest quote” — but I had submitted two quotes (one for bodywork, one for mechanical). Both were needed to fully repair the car.
I asked why they were ignoring the second quote — and only then did they send me the assessor’s report. I never even asked for it. what I found out in the report was that the car was declared uneconomical to repair (written off) So quoting based on the “lowest priced repair quote” initially shouldnt have even been an option and comes off shady.
Then did they change their calculation. The final offer was based on the car’s market value of R45,200, minus salvage and condition — then 70% of that, giving me R18,034, instead of the original R16,966.
keep in mind their client was 100% wrong which he admitted. Santam on the other hand told me
"although our insured failed to stop at a stop street and collided into your vehicle while you were travelling on a through road. No person or party has an absolute right of way. There also exists a duty on you as a reasonable and skilled driver to keep a proper lookout for such vehicles and take the necessary steps to avoid colliding with such vehicles."
So their argument is that I should have predicted that their client was not going to stop and break the rules of the road then somehow avoid the crash? I was on a through road and was going about 40km as there was a speed bump just after the 2 roads crossed so its not like I was even speeding.
But at the end Im satisfied with the outcome. Alls well that ends well.
They offered me 70% of R24,237.90, based on the “lowest quote” — but I had submitted two quotes (one for bodywork, one for mechanical). Both were needed to fully repair the car.
I asked why they were ignoring the second quote — and only then did they send me the assessor’s report. I never even asked for it. what I found out in the report was that the car was declared uneconomical to repair (written off) So quoting based on the “lowest priced repair quote” initially shouldnt have even been an option and comes off shady.
Then did they change their calculation. The final offer was based on the car’s market value of R45,200, minus salvage and condition — then 70% of that, giving me R18,034, instead of the original R16,966.
keep in mind their client was 100% wrong which he admitted. Santam on the other hand told me
"although our insured failed to stop at a stop street and collided into your vehicle while you were travelling on a through road. No person or party has an absolute right of way. There also exists a duty on you as a reasonable and skilled driver to keep a proper lookout for such vehicles and take the necessary steps to avoid colliding with such vehicles."
So their argument is that I should have predicted that their client was not going to stop and break the rules of the road then somehow avoid the crash? I was on a through road and was going about 40km as there was a speed bump just after the 2 roads crossed so its not like I was even speeding.
But at the end Im satisfied with the outcome. Alls well that ends well.