Shortfall Payment of Claim

There are days when you really think that it doesn't pay to be honest. We were in a Tempest Car Hire vehicle in December in Pilanesberg National Park when a Safari vehicle from Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge reversed into us while moving away from a herd of elephant. The driver admitted responsibility straight away. We could have just buffed the damage out of the side of the vehicle and turned it in. They had filled out the damage report so badly that they would never have been able to hold us to it. But we didn't. We took the time out of our holiday to make a statement at the police, call the lodge, do what was required. To make sure the damage on the ****py rental car with a broken window and bald tyres could be reclaimed from the safari lodge. But the Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge's people are not that honest. They filed their report saying that both of our vehicles were moving, and so Santam Insurance (their insurers) are only paying out 70%. I disputed this, and Santam Insurance asked me for witnesses, and I provided the names of the other 3 adults in the car to verify. Now they are saying that I needed to have other witnesses outside the car. So they expected us to get out of the car in a national park, amongst a herd of elephant, to get other people's names. And in the absence of that they will believe their client -- who has a material interest in limiting their exposure -- over us. Puleng from Santam Insurance says that she can see that it's an untenable request, but they're sticking by their decision to pay out R4500. Tempest Car Hire mean time deducted R8900 from my credit card back in January already. I hope karma gets all of you: Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge for filing a dishonest account of the incident and putting someone who was blameless R5000 out of pocket. Tempest Car Hire for doing nothing to assist your clients. Santam Insurance for shirking your responsibilities. Next time? Not so honest. And you wonder why people lie on their insurance claims, Santam Insurance and damage your rental cars without owning up Tempest Car Hire? This is why.