43% of insurance coverage complaints dealt with in 2021 associated to automotive accidents

JOHANNESBURG – The short-term insurance coverage ombudsman stated that though motorized vehicle accident-related complaints declined by 8% in 2021 as in comparison with 2020, they nonetheless represented the very best kind of disputes dealt with by the entity.

The ombudsman for short-term insurance coverage finalised a complete of 10,871 formal complaints, with 43% of those associated to motorized vehicle disputes.

In 2020, the workplace recorded the bottom variety of complaints within the class at 12% in comparison with 2019, as South Africans stayed residence in the course of the arduous COVID-19 lockdowns.

The ombudsman’s annual reviews for 2019 and 2020 confirmed that there was an upward development within the variety of complaints regarding accident claims rejected as a result of drivers did not train cheap precautions and due care, with the circumstances rising by 48%.

The complaints went up by 26% final 12 months. The claims have been rejected based mostly on allegations that drivers have been dashing.

Nonetheless, in circumstances the place formal rulings have been made in opposition to insurers, the ombudsman cautioned in opposition to a misunderstanding of the function performed by specialists and skilled reviews in dispute resolutions.

“Among the authors of the report might have skimmed on the element within the report that ought to help in making a call as as to whether certainly the driving force might have been driving at the next velocity than cheap for the circumstances and so you find yourself questioning the context of the report,” stated the Brief Time period Insurance coverage Ombudsman’s Peter Nkhuna.

The second-highest kind of motorized vehicle insurance coverage disputes was associated to guarantee and mechanical breakdowns which elevated by three p.c from 11% in 2020 to 14% in 2021.

This was adopted by theft and hijack claims which comprised of seven%.