Claim number 22/198340 continues.

Claim number 22/198340 continues.

Thank you for the email and the report.

It is a ridiculous claim to say that it is clear that it does not meet the standards. I was present the whole time during the inspection from your assessor. He never took out a tape measure to measure anything. He used a laser measuring device to measure the leading dimensions of the damaged floor and overall fireplace. No small measurements were taken by Mr. Edward.

I specifically remember this because he said he is going to take a few measurements and did not take out a tape. I then asked if should I fetch a tape measure for him to use because I saw he did not have one at hand. He then rep**** it won't be needed he will only take a few measurements with the laser measuring device.

According to the policy wording, "The Assessor" is supposed to help us with our claim. We did not experience any help from him at all. The whole process was one-sided and unfair all in favor of Standard Bank Insurance.

After reading the internal assessor's report by Standard Bank Insurance. I invite the author to the house, we will supply a tape measure to measure the chimney and clear distances because the assessor did not measure this at all.

Further comment on the internal assessor's report includes: The screenshot in the report by the author, of the clause in Part T of the building regulation, is incorrect. The screenshot is taken of Table 12: Fire resistance of structural walls. This specific table is only applicable to walls constructed using Solid construction clay masonry units. (I suspect that Standard Bank Insurance will realize their mistake and change their report to include a more applicable screenshot).

The fireplace has been constructed using nu-tec boards as per Mr. Edward's report (The assessor). Nu-Tec boards are considered to be a non-combustible material in the construction industry. Reference can be made to Nu-Tec Product specification brochure. Further reference can be made to section 4.56.2 Non-Combustible building materials in Part T of the building regulations (SANS 10400 Part T), where fiber cement products are considered non-combustible. If the cause of the problem was so "Clear" and obvious, then surely the competent person sent to inspect the house prior to providing a home loan and comprehensive building insurance should have been able to pick this up and point it out. I insist on receiving the report from the initial inspection done by the property evaluator prior to approving the application for a home loan and consequently us buying the house. I expect to receive this document as soon as possible.

Another document that was available for Standard Bank and Standard Bank insurance was the council-approved drawings of the house. No red flags were raised regarding any of the construction as per the council-approved drawings. To get drawings council approved the building inspector has to inspect a house and certify that it has been built according to specifications.

How can a house built using defective construction methods have any value whatsoever, let alone a value as per the Standard bank's documents of R 3 462 250.00.

Standard bank Insurance accepted the risk when they insured our house and did not flag anything. The company is more than happy to take monthly premiums, but can not uphold its end of the agreement when it comes to claims.

The claims procedure is one-sided and we, the client, are clearly not covered by this comprehensive insurance policy.

My fellow South Africans, be aware of Standard Bank Insurance.