What this involves
Tell us below what was claimed, what the insurer said, and roughly when the repudiation letter arrived.
Common repudiation grounds — non-disclosure at inception, an alleged policy exclusion, or a claimed breach of a warranty condition — each have specific legal tests under the Policyholder Protection Rules and the Insurance Act, and insurers do not always apply them correctly, particularly around what counts as a "material" non-disclosure.
The Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance and the Long-Term Insurance Ombudsman are free, and their rulings carry real weight with insurers, so we generally pursue that route first before litigation — it is faster and does not close off the option to sue if it fails.
There are strict time limits in most policies (and under the Ombudsman schemes) for referring a disputed repudiation, so acting promptly after a repudiation letter arrives matters as much as the substance of the dispute itself.
How long does it take?
An Ombudsman complaint is typically resolved within 3 to 6 months. Litigation, if it becomes necessary, generally takes considerably longer.
What will it cost?
R4 500 to R10 500 excl. VAT
Covers: Reviewing the repudiation and a letter of demand or Ombudsman complaint.
Based on 3 to 7 hours of Attorney time at our rate of R1 500 per hour, excluding VAT.
This is an estimate, not a quote. The final fee depends on the facts and how complex your matter turns out to be, and your Attorney confirms it in writing before work starts. Court fees, sheriff’s fees, counsel and other disbursements are charged separately.
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