Worst insurer in the country.

Last year I switched my insurance for my vehicle from discovery to Santam as it was more affordable and also added my household contents to the policy. In December of last year my car was knocked in a parking lot and the lady left her details. I claimed through Santam to first for woman which was her insurer as she was unable to and I wanted to have the matter handled as soon as the Panelbeater’s open in the new year. Soon after this my washing machine broke in my home and I tried to claim all December and January until Santam subsequently rejected my claim easily citing power surge damage. I was not happy with the service provider provided by Santam and also not happy with the service I received trying to repair my washing machine. I left it as is.

I received a call for the claim for my car and was told there was zero excess as it’s a third party claim and all of a sudden my car was booked into one of Santams Service providers on the 19th of February which I did not approve a date or the service provider for. I called Santam and told them I would like to make use of my own service provider (reason being, my bad experience with their recommended service provider for my washing machine) I was told by Riaan Du Preez to sign a disclosure merely stating that I would be using my own service provider at my own risk. Which I did as I just wanted my car repaired as soon as possible. I was thereafter informed by him to book my car in and send pictures of the car afterwards making me feel as if I was not going to book the car in at all. The car was booked in and the repairer is requesting payment. I was then informed by Mr Riaan Du Perez via email of a R5000 excess fee and HE will be refunding R600. Again, I was claiming through my insurance from a third party who damaged my car and was previously told telephonically that there will be no excess involved.

The service I received from Santam overall is appalling to say the least, never have I received such disrespect from a service provider I pay a premium for every month thinking I have peace of mind when it comes to my possessions. I will never recommend Santam as a whole to anyone. You basically have to phone after them for feedback and after being sent from pillar to post have your claim rejected or your matter not being handled properly or with respect. If you want a service provider who makes you feel like you basically just donated money to them all year and won’t provide a service you actually pay for choose santam. I will definitely be looking a for better more respectful insurance provider