Story:
On Thursday evening my wife used my bakkie to go buy collect some tables and chairs for a children party. We believe that she forgot to engage the gears/handbrake, and some time the next day it just started running backwards into the gate of the property belonging to the company I work for. I am also a 45% shareholder in the company. While upset, I was relieved that I still have comprehensive insurance, which I kept all these years even though I have a very old vehicle, and even though I perhaps travel less than 10 times with this vehicle a month (I previously worked from home, and the company just purchased the property across my house). I have kept comprehensive cover, for any eventualities.
The bakkie smashed our company's entrance (swing) gate, damaged the gate motor and a water pipeline. The damage after assessment of the bakkie is approximately R7,000. It excludes the canopy, which only now, after 8 years I see was never covered (thought it was part of the bakkie, but this is my mistake as I never really read my policy). We already fixed the water pipeline (R800) and got one quotation for the repair/replacement of the gate (?R5,000). We have not yet assessed the potential damage to the gate motor, as it seems working, but we have been advised to investigate for internal and tracking damage. The total estimated costs are likely less than R15,000, excluding the canopy costs.
Yet, after discussions yesterday I understand that I cannot claim against myself (being part owner of M2 Environmental Connections cc). This was confirmed today as correct. It seems that I cannot put in a claim against myself, even though the claim is from my company against myself.
So, after a number of years with no claims, where we (as a household) probably paid more than R150,000 to Dial-Direct, with no real benefit, is it seems that COMPREHENSIVE insurance is not really that comprehensive. Any accident is totally unasked for, the least I would expect from my insurer is to consider my history with them, my risk, as well as how they can make the whole incident as easy as possible for their client.
While they did approve the claim to repair the damage to the bakkie, it is not as comprehensive as I would have expected or thought. It is less than half of the likely damage, and seeing that I would be losing my Bucks Back Bonus (estimated at R22,000) while I would still be expected to pay an excess of R3,000, even though the cover is not really comprehensive.
My bakkie is not used allot. I stay in a rather secure area where no significant crime has been reported in the last few years. It is parked in a lock-up garaged behind huge gates and fitted with Tracker. My risk I believe is minimal to my insurer.
Anyone think that they can take this and put a funny spin on this. At least I will have a funny story to tell my grand children some time.
On Thursday evening my wife used my bakkie to go buy collect some tables and chairs for a children party. We believe that she forgot to engage the gears/handbrake, and some time the next day it just started running backwards into the gate of the property belonging to the company I work for. I am also a 45% shareholder in the company. While upset, I was relieved that I still have comprehensive insurance, which I kept all these years even though I have a very old vehicle, and even though I perhaps travel less than 10 times with this vehicle a month (I previously worked from home, and the company just purchased the property across my house). I have kept comprehensive cover, for any eventualities.
The bakkie smashed our company's entrance (swing) gate, damaged the gate motor and a water pipeline. The damage after assessment of the bakkie is approximately R7,000. It excludes the canopy, which only now, after 8 years I see was never covered (thought it was part of the bakkie, but this is my mistake as I never really read my policy). We already fixed the water pipeline (R800) and got one quotation for the repair/replacement of the gate (?R5,000). We have not yet assessed the potential damage to the gate motor, as it seems working, but we have been advised to investigate for internal and tracking damage. The total estimated costs are likely less than R15,000, excluding the canopy costs.
Yet, after discussions yesterday I understand that I cannot claim against myself (being part owner of M2 Environmental Connections cc). This was confirmed today as correct. It seems that I cannot put in a claim against myself, even though the claim is from my company against myself.
So, after a number of years with no claims, where we (as a household) probably paid more than R150,000 to Dial-Direct, with no real benefit, is it seems that COMPREHENSIVE insurance is not really that comprehensive. Any accident is totally unasked for, the least I would expect from my insurer is to consider my history with them, my risk, as well as how they can make the whole incident as easy as possible for their client.
While they did approve the claim to repair the damage to the bakkie, it is not as comprehensive as I would have expected or thought. It is less than half of the likely damage, and seeing that I would be losing my Bucks Back Bonus (estimated at R22,000) while I would still be expected to pay an excess of R3,000, even though the cover is not really comprehensive.
My bakkie is not used allot. I stay in a rather secure area where no significant crime has been reported in the last few years. It is parked in a lock-up garaged behind huge gates and fitted with Tracker. My risk I believe is minimal to my insurer.
Anyone think that they can take this and put a funny spin on this. At least I will have a funny story to tell my grand children some time.
