Can you imagine how frustrated you would be if your insurance company wanted to write off your car, though it was repairable?
Can you imagine how frustrated you would be if your insurance company wanted to write off your car, though it was repairable?
A Soweto woman fought bitterly with her insurance company, SA Underwriting, until they agreed to repair her vehicle instead of sending it to a scrap yard.
Nonhlanhla Kgobe, 59, was hopping mad when she told Consumer Line that SAU wanted to write her car off against her will.
But in the end, after a lot of frustration, SAU has agreed to repair Kgobe's vehicle.
SAU spokesman Verney Mchunu could not explain why they wanted to write the car off.
After Consumer Line spoke tohim, Mchunu agreed to authorise repairs for Kgobe's vehicle. But she had to sign a disclaimer so she could not complain to SAU about poor workmanship.
"We have agreed to authorise repairs on condition that the client signs the attached document and faxes or e-mails it back to me," Mchunu said.
"We will not be liable for poor workmanship or any additionals. On completion of the repairs she will be liable for an excess of R2505."
Kgobe agreed to these conditions and signed the document, which was immediately sent to SAU for authorisation.
Kgobe had an accident in June. Her vehicle was hit on the front right-hand side. The front indicator, fender, bumper and steering rack were damaged.
"I could still drive the car but the insurance company felt it would be too costly to repair those few things," Kgobe said.
Her insurance company said repairing the car would cost R41000. Having considered the value of her car SAU believed it was in Kgobe's best interest to write her car off.
But Kgobe was equally convinced that her car could be fixed, so she got quotations from two panel beaters. Both quotes were less than SAU's quote.
Her car is valued at R50000. It is well looked after and Kgobe loves it.
"It's as good as new and I want to keep it as my retirement car."
Kgobe still wants to know what motivated the insurance company to write off a repairable car.