Why should Santam care about 3rd parties???
<p>Two months ago I was in an accident with a client on Santams, I was going through a traffic light and another vehicle failed to stop at the red traffic lights and collided with my car, now I had to buy my own car,I could only afford a city golf and couldnt afford insurance so now I have to rely on the party payout,the client stated in his affidavit and statements that he was in the wrong and here is the reply I got from Santam </p> <p>After careful consideration of all the facts surrounding the incident, we are of the opinion that our insured was not the sole cause of the collision.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>We wish to point out that a person in control of a vehicle must:</p> <p>1. Travel at an appropriate speed (Which i was going)</p> <p>2. keep a proper look out (I did but the other car was speeding) </p> <p>3. must be vigilant in reasonably expecting traffic to emerge</p> <p>4. cannot proceed from a stationary position without ensuring it is safe to do so (how do you heeled going through a green traffic light?)</p> <p>5. The impact for this particular incident took place on the full front , which enabled your driver to view our client’s vehicle (the car knocked me on the side which could not be avoided at all)</p> <p> Now heres where it gets even worse </p> <p>Santam now says I am liable for 25% of his damage which is currently more than what my car is worth? So its not my fault for someone to drive into me but in a wag it is my fault? </p> <p>Our client’s quantum amounts to R126,900.00 and the apportionment will result in a negative figure. We are however willing to amend the offer to a 70% straight offer of R19,695.00 (Assessors Report) X 70% = R13,786.50.</p> <p> </p> <p>As per the attached assessors report, the value of your vehicle is R30,300.00. Santam do not keep or salvage third party vehicles and therefore a 35% (R10,605.00) is deducted from the market value as you will keep your vehicle.</p> <p>Therefore the suggested settlement of R19,695.00 X 70% as above is R13,786.50. We cannot settle you more than the value of your vehicle.</p> <p> </p> <p>I dnt expect a reply or even need an explanation I just thought I would bring it to your attention that you are a terrible insurance and thank you for messing up my life as I cannot afford another car and will probably not be able to any time soon as I am still busy paying of this one that was written off, thank you Santam for making me lose faith in Humanity </p> <p>Kind regards</p> <p>Sebastian </p> <p>Claim no ***</p>
Dear Sebastian,
We thank you for your posting above. We understand that you are not happy with the offer being made by our legal department.
Kindly note that when they deal with third party claims where the third party vehicle has been declared as uneconomical to repair, the principle and process that's app**** is that of determining the market value of the vehicle before the accident. Santam cannot take ownership of the salvage as it's not an own client's vehicle but a third party vehicle so we need to deduct the salvage percentage, as agreed with by the salvage dealers, from the market value, which was done in your instance, providing us with the amount of R19695.
The final offer is based on the merit investigation pertaining to the accident and what transpired -- facts, statements, pictures and damage sustained. Based on the information at our disposal and after investigating the merits, we are of the opinion that our offer is fair and reasonable -- please note that all legal claims are subject to legal principles and case law which allow and assist them in their decision making.
If you are not satisfied with the offer, you may seek legal advice and request your lawyer to correspond directly with our legal department.
Thank you and kind regards.
Stephan Olivier
Client care media manager
Dear Sebastian,
We thank you for your posting above. We understand that you are not happy with the offer being made by our legal department.
Kindly note that when they deal with third party claims where the third party vehicle has been declared as uneconomical to repair, the principle and process that's app**** is that of determining the market value of the vehicle before the accident. Santam cannot take ownership of the salvage as it's not an own client's vehicle but a third party vehicle so we need to deduct the salvage percentage, as agreed with by the salvage dealers, from the market value, which was done in your instance, providing us with the amount of R19695.
The final offer is based on the merit investigation pertaining to the accident and what transpired -- facts, statements, pictures and damage sustained. Based on the information at our disposal and after investigating the merits, we are of the opinion that our offer is fair and reasonable -- please note that all legal claims are subject to legal principles and case law which allow and assist them in their decision making.
If you are not satisfied with the offer, you may seek legal advice and request your lawyer to correspond directly with our legal department.
Thank you and kind regards.
Stephan Olivier
Client care media manager