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What we do
Established in August 1989, The Office of the Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance provides consumers with a free, efficient and fair dispute resolution mechanism. It offers consumers with a “no risk” mechanism to resolve disputes with insurers. The Office can assist consumers with the following personal lines short-term insurance:
- Motor
- Houseowners (Buildings)
- Householders (Contents)
- Cell phone
- Travel
- Disability
- Credit protection insurance
- Commercial Insurance on a Limited basis, i.e. claimants such as small businesses, including a sole proprietor or trader, a juristic person, partnership or trust that has a turnover in the last financial year of less than R8 million. Claim disputes, which the Office can assist with, include fire and allied perils (if there is an involvement of loss of profits/interruption, the entire claim will not be dealt with by the Ombudsman’s Office), glass, theft, motor, travel, sickness and accident and SASRIA claims (affiliated to the aforesaid covers).
The Office of the Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance has been granted recognition in terms of the
provisions of the Financial Services Ombud Schemes Act. All personal lines short-term insurers have agreed to abide by the Ombudsman’s decision.
The Ombudsman’s task is to act as a “mediator” or informal arbitrator and he/she does not represent either of the parties to the dispute.
Important points to remember:
- You must complain to your insurance company first and only if you are unable to resolve the dispute with your insurer, then you can refer the matter to the Ombudsman’s Office
- The Ombudsman’s decisions are binding on the insurance company but not on youThe Ombudsman’s Office is an independent office
- The Ombudsman’s decisions can be based on either law or equity
- The Ombudsman’s Office does not give legal advice
The service is free to insured consumers
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