Claims frequently asked questions

Motor insurance claims
Attempted-theft repair
When is the excess payable on financed vehicles?When is the excess payable?

Where the vehicle is written off, we will deduct the excess from the payment to you in the case of a non-financed vehicle. In the case of a financed vehicle, the excess will be payable to the finance house.

When is the excess payable on vehicles that aren’t financed?

The excess is payable upfront to the authorised service provider (the panel beater). 

How do I get a rental car when my car goes in for repairs?

Get in touch with our Claims Advisors two working days before the car goes into the panel beaters. They’ll be able to help you organise your rental car.

Will you extend the rental vehicle if the panel beater has not completed repairs?

You can rent a car for a maximum of 30 days, or until repairs are done - whichever comes first. Unfortunately, we can’t extend the car-rental time if car parts are delayed, because that’s dependent on the car’s manufacturer.

How long will the repairs take?

This depends on the availability of parts and the extent of the seen and unseen damages. However, the panel beater will keep you informed once they start repairs.

Who do I contact if I’m unhappy with the repairs?

You can contact the panel beater directly.

Will they repair all the damages on my car (even the damages that are unrelated to the incident)? When is the excess payable?Will they repair all the damages on my car (Unrelated to the incident)?When is the excess payable?

Only the incident-related damages will be attended to and covered. You can register a second claim for unrelated damages. The claim will be validated and, where it is a valid claim, a separate excess will be applicable.

Am I allowed to change the authorised service provider?

You can change to a new authorised service provider, provided we take into account warranties and manufacturer-approvals.

Will you pay according to my panel beater quote?

All payments will be approved based on our own assessor-quotation, minus the excess amount.

Why were second-hand parts/alternative parts used on my car?

If a car is out of warranty, the Ombudsman for short-term insurance states that we can make use of good quality second hand/alternative parts to replace parts that aren’t critical to safety. This is done in order to reduce the cost of your premiums.

Why do I have to pay the excess if the incident wasn’t my fault?

The excess is the first amount payable after a claim, irrespective of who caused the incident. If the incident wasn’t your fault, our legal department will try to claim the excess back from the liable party.

Why will I lose my OUTbonus and have to pay the excess, regardless of who was at fault?

The OUTbonus is a cash-refund of your paid premiums that rewards you for not claiming. This is regardless of who was at fault. We cannot recover the OUTbonus payment from the 3rd party. If you don’t want to forfeit the OUTbonus payment, you can claim directly from the 3rd party (and withdraw your claim with OUTsurance).

Accidents repairs on non-drivable cars
When is the excess payable on financed vehicles?

Where the vehicle is written off, we will deduct the excess from the payment to you in the case of a non-financed vehicle. In the case of a financed vehicle, the excess will be payable to the finance house.

When is the excess payable on vehicles that aren’t financed?

The excess is payable upfront to the authorised service provider (the panel beater). 

How do I get a rental car when my car goes in for repairs?

Get in touch with our Claims Advisors two working days before the car goes into the panel beaters. They’ll be able to help you organise your rental car.

Will you extend the rental vehicle if the panel beater has not completed repairs?

You can rent a car for a maximum of 30 days, or until repairs are done - whichever comes first. Unfortunately, we can’t extend the car-rental time if car parts are delayed, because that’s dependent on the car’s manufacturer.

How long will the repairs take?

This depends on the availability of parts and the extent of the seen and unseen damages. However, the panel beater will keep you informed once they start repairs.

Who do I contact if I’m unhappy with the repairs?

You can contact the panel beater directly.

Will they repair all the damages on my car (even the damages that are unrelated to the incident)? When is the excess payable?

Only the incident-related damages will be attended to and covered. You can register a second claim for unrelated damages. The claim will be validated and, where it is a valid claim, a separate excess will be applicable.

Am I allowed to change the authorised service provider?

You can change to a new authorised service provider, provided we take into account warranties and manufacturer-approvals.

Will you pay according to my panel beater quote? Why do second hand parts/alternatives parts are used on my car?

All payments will be approved based on our own assessor-quotation, minus the excess amount.

Why were second-hand parts/alternative parts used on my car?

If a car is out of warranty, the Ombudsman for short-term insurance states that we can make use of good quality second hand/alternative parts to replace parts that aren’t critical to safety. This is done in order to reduce the cost of your premiums.

Why do I have to pay the excess if the incident wasn’t my fault?

The excess is the first amount payable after a claim, irrespective of who caused the incident. If the incident wasn’t your fault, our legal department will try to claim the excess back from the liable party.

Why will I lose my OUTbonus and have to pay the excess, regardless of who was at fault?

The OUTbonus is a cash-refund of your paid premiums that rewards you for not claiming. This is regardless of who was at fault. We cannot recover the OUTbonus payment from the 3rd party. If you don’t want to forfeit the OUTbonus payment, you can claim directly from the 3rd party (and withdraw your claim with OUTsurance).

Theft and hijacking repairs
When is the excess payable on financed vehicles?

The financial institution that has financed your vehicle will ask you to settle any outstanding finance on the vehicle. You’ll need to pay the excess upon their request.

When is the excess payable on vehicles that aren’t financed?

In the case of a vehicle not recovered, the excess is deducted from the payment. Where the vehicle is recovered and undergoing repairs, the excess is payable to the panel beater.

How do I get a rental car seeing as my car is not drivable?

Contact our Claims Advisors to arrange a rental car.

Will you extend the rental vehicle after my claim has been finalised?

You can rent a car for a maximum of 30 days, or until repairs are done - whichever comes first.

Why do I need to pay the excess if the incident wasn’t my fault?

The excess is the first amount payable after a claim, irrespective of who/what caused the incident. If the incident wasn’t your fault, our legal department will try to claim the excess back from the liable party.

If you are to recover from a 3rd party, why do I still lose my OUTbonus and pay the excess?

The OUTbonus is a cash-refund of your paid premiums that rewards you for not claiming. This is regardless of who was at fault. We cannot recover the OUTbonus payment from the 3rd party. If you don’t want to forfeit the OUTbonus payment, you can claim directly from the 3rd party (and withdraw your claim with OUTsurance).

Theft cases, when the vehicle is not recovered 
When is the excess payable on financed vehicles?

The excess is payable to the finance house in order to settle the account.

When is the excess payable on vehicles that aren’t financed?

The excess is deducted from the payment to the client.

How do I organise a rental car, seeing as my car’s been stolen?

Our Claims Advisors will assist you with car rental arrangements.

Will you extend the rental vehicle after my claim has been finalised?

You can rent a car for a maximum of 30 days, or until repairs are done - whichever comes first. Unfortunately, the rental will not be extended upon finalisation of the claim.

Why do I need to pay the excess if the incident wasn’t my fault?

The excess is the first amount payable after a claim, irrespective of who/what caused the incident. If the incident wasn’t your fault, our legal department will try to claim the excess back from the liable party.

If you are to recover from a 3rd party, why do I still lose my OUTbonus and pay the excess?

The OUTbonus is a cash-refund of your paid premiums that rewards you for not claiming. This is regardless of who was at fault. We cannot recover the OUTbonus payment from the 3rd party. If you don’t want to forfeit the OUTbonus payment, you can claim directly from the 3rd party (and withdraw your claim with OUTsurance).

Buildings insurance claims
General
Can I use my own SP for replacement?

Yes, you would need to provide OUTsurance with a Quote, Damage Report and photos of the damaged geyser to validate the claim.  OUTsurance will be able to reimburse you as per our rates based on the work that needs to be done.

What happens if I’m unable to pay the excess?

Your claim will be withdrawn until you can pay the excess.  You can reopen the claim and pay excess up to 6 months after the date of the incident.

What is my excess amount?

Excess is the first amount payable by the client before any repairs commence. Please refer to your policy schedule to view the amount applicable.

What if I don’t agree with the findings of the assessor or service provider?

Contact your assessor/consultant to raise your concerns in order for them to validate and confirm if additional repairs need to be approved.

How long is the Workmanship Guarantee?

One year from the date the repairs are completed.

Buildings insurance claims
Assessable Claims
Can I get a copy of the assessor’s report?

Yes. Once the assessor has submitted the report to your claims consultant, you can request a copy of it.  

What happens if the service provider finds additional damages that the assessor missed?

The service provider will submit a report to the Assessing Department.  The additional damages will be validated and, if found to be related to your claim, the repairs will be included.

Buildings insurance claims
Geyser & Resultants
Can I use my own service provider for replacing a geyser?

Yes, but in order to validate the claim, you’ll need to provide us with a quote, damage report and photos of the damaged geyser. We’ll be able to reimburse you based on the work that needs to be done, as per our rates.

What happens if my geyser is under warranty?

The plumber will report the geyser to the manufacturer and provide you with a reference number. The manufacturer will then be in touch with you to arrange an assessment of the geyser.

What happens if it’s just components of the geyser that are damaged?

Your claim will be converted to a Help@Out benefit, as these claims are normally less than the excess on the claim.

Can I keep my damaged geyser?

No. Once the geyser’s been replaced, the damaged geyser becomes the property of OUTsurance and will be removed by the service provider who does the new installation.

How does OUTsurance calculate the full amount to be paid out?

We will always pay out as per the current replacement value of an item, up to the maximum insured amount noted on your policy schedule. 

Am I covered for the relocation of my geyser?

We’ll cover the costs, provided it’s necessary in order to access the geyser or for it to be compliant. For other relocation requests, you will be liable for any additional costs of relocating the geyser.

Contents and OUT-and-About claims
When will the service provider contact me?

Once authorisation has been sent to the service provider, they’ll be in contact within 24 business hours.

How long does the Repair Workmanship Warranty last?

The warranty on repairs lasts 3 months.

Why do I have to use your service provider instead of getting paid out in cash? Why do I have to use your service provider instead of paying me out cash?

We have a service level agreement with our service provider. If there are any concerns with the services provided, we can follow up on your behalf to ensure you get the best service.

Why do you want to salvage the items, seeing as I’m the owner of the items?

Once we replace an item the old item becomes OUTsurance’s property.

When will you collect the salvaged items?

Our salvage process can take up to 3 months. Our Salvage department will be in contact to advice as to when they will be collecting the items.

Why do you want to salvage the items as I am the owner of the items?

Once we replace an item the old item becomes OUTsurance property.

When will you collect the salvaged items?

Our salvaging process can take up to 3 months. Our Salvaging Department will be in contact to advise as to when they’ll be collecting the items.

I can’t pay the excess right now. What should I do?I don’t have the excess right now, what can I do?

We can place the claim on hold for up to 6 months. Once you have the excess amount, we can proceed with the claim.

Why are you paying me less for the item than my insured amount?

We cover as per the current replacement value and not what you insured the item for.

It seems that the value for replacement my jewellery is too low – should I be concerned? the value so low that you are approving on my Jewellery?

We get a 15% discount when we use our preferred service provider which means that the value shown is the discounted value that was quoted by the service provider.   

Why are you refurbishing my items instead of replacing them?Why are you refurbishing my items instead of replacing it?

If an item’s repairable, we’ll fix it. We only consider replacing items when a service provider recommends it. 

Why are you appointing a service provider that is not in my area?

Your closest service provider may not always be available to assist or may not have the said item in stock. The service provider that we appoint, will be able to courier the items to you.