Absa
Claims drag on for years then wrongfully dismissed

After having had water damage occur and logging a claim (November 2009) with ABSA, it was only approved and the damage to our kitchen and solid wooden floor dealt with in July 2011 - 1 year 8 months later. Subsequent to the initial claim we realised that there was consequential damage that affected the adjacent room and registered a claim in November 2011. It was only in July 2013 (20 months later) that internal assessor, mr Pieter Gibhard (the second assessor to be assigned to our claim and inspect the premises), contacted us. He explained that his knowledge of wooden floors were limited and that he would send a specialist to provide a quotation to ABSA, the previous assessor had already done so and had made use of the same ABSA approved specialist that was involved in the first claim. Mr Gibhard insisted on using a Pretoria based company (we're situated in Johannesburg), who uttered surprise at their appointment since they work with laminates and have no knowledge of solid wooden floors. Today an ABSA representative informed me the claim was turned down. I've been advised by my broker and lawyer to take this up with the Ombudsman and have every intention of doing so.

Company: Absa
Country: South Africa
City: Structural Insurance Gau

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