Comments on: Can my insurer still be liable for towing and storage if my claim is rejected? http://carinsurance.arrivealive.co.za/can-my-insurer-still-be-liable-for-towing-and-storage-if-my-claim-is-rejected.php Car Insurance Information and Advice Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:32:18 +0200 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.1 hourly 1 By: Ettienne Pel http://carinsurance.arrivealive.co.za/can-my-insurer-still-be-liable-for-towing-and-storage-if-my-claim-is-rejected.php/comment-page-1#comment-1144 Ettienne Pel Tue, 12 Jan 2010 14:20:40 +0000 http://carinsurance.arrivealive.co.za/?p=1004#comment-1144 This is a very unfortunate situation which occurs on a regular basis throughout South Africa. What is more worrying, is that the Ombudsman in fact supported the Insurer. I am sure that had this case been taken to court, the chances that the client would have won the case, would be good. If an insurer insists that a vehicle be taken from your home where it was safe, then they should fit the bill, irrespective of whether the premium did not go through or not. Although the responsibility also rests with the consumer to ensure that premiums are up to date, the insurer should also, before authorising, ensure the premium is paid. There are unfortunately some small insurers, who will do there utmost best to give you "service", but when it comes to a claim, they then do their utmost best to find ways to repudiate the claim. ( Probably the case in this scenario ). When in doubt, do NOT allow your vehicle to be towed. ALWAYS contact your insurer PERSONALLY from your OWN phone, and take the name of the person and the number you contacted, as well as date and time. Majority of call centers today can trace back your call from the telephone number you dialled from and can listen to the recording. This protects them as well as you. Should your vehicle be at your home, INSIST that the assesor comes to your home. If they refuse and insist that your vehicle goes to a MBR ( motor body repairer ), let them fax, e-mail or sms you confirmation. Once the tow operator arrives, ensure that the instruction is in accordance with the Insurer, NOT PANEL BEATER, and ensure that the tow operator writes on the document, and this must appear on all the duplicates too, that towing costs are not for your account, but for the insurer as per insurer instruction. Failure to them assisting you correctly in this fashion, UTASA ( United Towing Association of South Africa ), will gladly assist. UTASA is available for professional advice 24 hours a day. Drive safe and keep your head high. This is a very unfortunate situation which occurs on a regular basis throughout South Africa. What is more worrying, is that the Ombudsman in fact supported the Insurer. I am sure that had this case been taken to court, the chances that the client would have won the case, would be good.

If an insurer insists that a vehicle be taken from your home where it was safe, then they should fit the bill, irrespective of whether the premium did not go through or not. Although the responsibility also rests with the consumer to ensure that premiums are up to date, the insurer should also, before authorising, ensure the premium is paid. There are unfortunately some small insurers, who will do there utmost best to give you “service”, but when it comes to a claim, they then do their utmost best to find ways to repudiate the claim. ( Probably the case in this scenario ).

When in doubt, do NOT allow your vehicle to be towed. ALWAYS contact your insurer PERSONALLY from your OWN phone, and take the name of the person and the number you contacted, as well as date and time. Majority of call centers today can trace back your call from the telephone number you dialled from and can listen to the recording. This protects them as well as you.

Should your vehicle be at your home, INSIST that the assesor comes to your home. If they refuse and insist that your vehicle goes to a MBR ( motor body repairer ), let them fax, e-mail or sms you confirmation. Once the tow operator arrives, ensure that the instruction is in accordance with the Insurer, NOT PANEL BEATER, and ensure that the tow operator writes on the document, and this must appear on all the duplicates too, that towing costs are not for your account, but for the insurer as per insurer instruction.

Failure to them assisting you correctly in this fashion, UTASA ( United Towing Association of South Africa ), will gladly assist. UTASA is available for professional advice 24 hours a day.

Drive safe and keep your head high.

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