unfulfilled claim - Panel beater passes the buck on Santam

<p>on the 22 December i was involved in an accident. it was not my fault as a vehicle knocked me from behind. i called santam to inform them of the accident and was advised by the consultant to go to the nearest panel beater for a quote. On the 23rd, Umhlali Auto had done a quote and advised that the quote will be sent to Santam on the 9th as they were closing business due to the december holidays. On the 9th i contacted Umhlali Auto who advised that the quote (R16978.02) was sent through to Santam and they were just waiting for the go ahead. On the 13th i contacted Santam to find out why there was a delay only to be refered to another panel beater called Durban Champion. i had taken my vehicle to Durban Champion who submitted the quote to Santam and was approved on the 25th Jan 17.(R7793.44) I received confirmation from the panel beaters informing me that the quote was approved and was asked when i could bring the vehicle in. From a quote of R 6978.02 to R7793.44 there is a difference of R8884.58. the quote from Durban Champion quoted me R1320 for spares and R5448 for labour. the vehicle was taken into the workshop on the 30 Jan 17 and fetched on the 9th Feb (10 full days). i had to also pay the R3500 excess. the damage was on the bumper which affected other areas as well. after getting home, i noticed that the job done on my vehicle clearly was not 10 full days. R5448 for labour? i cannot understand how the vehicle was released from the workshop if it had gone through a quality check. im missing a mud flap of the left rear, which was included on the quote, my right rear side indicator no longer works, the "new" bumper which was a pirate used is not aligned, therefore making it impossible for the rear left mud flat to be fitted. my vehicle has been insured with Santam for the last 8 years and iv been paying approxiametly -+ 67200 for insuring my vehicle.this is my first claim regarding my vehicle and santam approves a sloppy quote of R7793.44 leaving me disappointed and upset. i want my vehicle to be sorted out. i want a response from Santam urgently regarding how this is going to be handled.</p>