What we do
- We are an independent, non-profit industry ombud scheme
- We provide the insuring public and the short term industry with a free, efficient and fair dispute resolution mechanism through an alternative dispute resolution process, applying the law and principles of fairness and equity.
- We deal with personal lines short-term insurance disputes including disputes relating to –
- Motor Insurance
- Homeowners insurance (buildings)
- Household insurance (contents)
- Cell phone insurance
- Travel insurance
- Disability insurance
- Credit protection insurance
- We also deal with commercial insurance for small businesses and sole proprietors.
- We are not a court of law. We examine the information and evidence placed before us by the parties to a dispute and make recommendations that are guided by the legal position and principles of fairness and equity.
- We do not, nor are we empowered to, procure evidence or witnesses or investigate a complaint on behalf of one party.
- We operate independently of both the Financial Sector Conduct Authority and the Prudential Authority in our adjudication process and dispute resolution process.
OSTI is a member of the Ombudsman Association of South Africa and the INFO Network.
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The Ombudsman's Office is governed by a Board of Directors, comprising of four consumer representatives, three insurer representatives, one representative from the South African Insurance Association (a trade association, which represents all short-term insurance companies in South Africa), two independent directors and one representative from the Financial Services Board.
The Board members are as follows:
| |
Name |
Organisation |
| |
|
|
|
Haroon Laher (Chairman) |
Fasken |
|
Richard Steyn (Vice-Chairman) |
Former Attorney, Journalist |
|
Makgompi Raphasha |
FSCA |
|
Leigh Bennie |
Africa Health Placements |
|
Paul Crankshaw |
Cobweb Information SA |
|
Gerhard Genis |
Santam Ltd. |
|
Collin Molepe |
ABSA Insurance Co. Ltd |
|
Viviene Pearson |
South African Insurance Association |
|
Magauta Mphahlele |
Ombudsman for Consumer Goods and Services |
|
Gail Walters |
Hollard Insurance Co. Ltd |
|
Thuli Zungu |
Sowetan – Consumer Journalist |
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ABSA Insurance Company Limited
AIG South Africa Ltd
Alexander Forbes Insurance Company Limited
Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty SA Ltd
Aurora Insurance Company Limited
Auto and General Insurance Company Limited
Bidvest Insurance Limited
Bryte Insurance Co Ltd.
Budget Insurance Company Limited
Centriq Insurance Company Limited
Chubb
Compass Insurance Company Limited
Constantia Insurance Company Limited
Corporate Guarantee (South Africa) Limited
Dial Direct Insurance Company Limited
Discovery Insure
Dotsure Limited
First For Woman Insurance Company Ltd
First Rand Short-Term Insurance Limited
GENRIC Insurance Company
Guardrisk Insurance Company Limited
Hollard Insurance Company Limited
Indequity Specialised Insurance Limited
Infiniti Specialised Insurance Limited
JDG Micro Insurance Limited
King Price Insurance
Land Bank Insurance Company (SOC) Ltd – LBIC
Legal Wise
Lion of Africa Insurance Company Limited
Lloyds South Africa
Lombard Insurance Group
MiWay Insurance Limited
Momentum Insure Company Limited (Momentum Insure)
Monarch Insurance Company Limited
Mutual & Federal Risk Financing
Mutual and Federal Insurance Company Limited
National Insurers Limited
Nedbank Insurance Company Limited
New National Assurance Company Limited
NMS Insurance Services (SA) Limited
Old Mutual Health Insurance Limited
OUTsurance Insurance Company Limited
PPS for Professionals
Relyant Insurance Company Limited
Renasa Insurance Company Limited
RMB Structured Insurance
SA Home Loans Insurance Company Limited
Safire Insurance Company Limited
Santam Insurance Limited
SASRIA SOC Limited
Shoprite Insurance company
Standard Insurance Limited
Sunderland Marine (Africa) Limited
Swiss Re
Unitrans Insurance Company Limited
Vodacom Insurance Company Limited
Western National Insurance
YardRisk Insurance Limited
