Oakhurst Insurance

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mcryan

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Anyone insure through these guys? Ever gone through a claims process? Comments, complaints, anything is appreciated.
 
I heard about them in passing some time back and when I researched who they were, I could only find references to them under sites like Hello Peter.

I now see they have their own website - http://www.oakhurstins.co.za/.

I regretfully do not know anything about them (despite being in the insurance industry). Like all insurers, they are displayed their licence number as an authorised financial services provider (licensed with the Financial Services Board).

They're based in George (Western Cape) as I see it. So not sure if they have outlets in other centres of the country?

Specialise in motor insurance only... or so it seems (I don't see them talking about household contents or all risks and the like).

What I cannot see from the site or manner in which it is written, is whether they are an underwriting agency working for another insurer like Santam, Zurich or Hollard or if they are an insurance company in their own right.

So I have nothing on who they are or quality of their products and services. But like all financial service providers you do have some safety nets like the Ombudsman for the Short Term Insurance industry (www.osti.co.za).

If you're going to business with them ask them some basic questions such as:

- are they an underwriting agency and if so who is the insurer to which they relate
- if they are an insurance company, are they a member of the South African Insurance Association (SAIA), which is another safety net
- if they are an insurance company, what's their solvency margin (are they able to meet claims)

Hope this helps a wee bit. If you have any specific questions or concerns, pm me or leave questions here, I am always happy to help iro insurance related matters.
 
Hi McT,

Thanks, that certainly helps. I did my (very limited) research on them and sadly couldn't find much information. I think it's worth giving them a call and asking them the questions you mentioned.

Otherwise, you seem to know a fair deal about this industry. I need to insure a 320d that I am buying fairly soon. It will be driven by my finance, she is 27. The quotes received so far have been higher than I would like, which is why I am trying to look beyond the most common out there.
 
My father insured his car through Hollard Insurance. They it seems decided to hand him over to African Independent Insurance who it seems were a BEE portion of Hollard and he was then handed over to Oakhurst who we though were the same as african Independent just a different name.
 
Just go on to Hellopeter and read up peoples regretful stories using them. I too was very close to insuring with them as they were giving me a very good premium on my car but after doing some research decided not to. I ended up going with Glenrand MIB. My Dad has been insured with Glenrand MIB for over a decade and I decided to try them out. They gave me quite a nice deal for Car, Home, Cellphone and Laptop cover.
 
daWolf said:
Just go on to Hellopeter and read up peoples regretful stories using them. I too was very close to insuring with them as they were giving me a very good premium on my car but after doing some research decided not to. I ended up going with Glenrand MIB. My Dad has been insured with Glenrand MIB for over a decade and I decided to try them out. They gave me quite a nice deal for Car, Home, Cellphone and Laptop cover.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll check them out.
 
mcryan said:
Hi McT,

Thanks, that certainly helps. I did my (very limited) research on them and sadly couldn't find much information. I think it's worth giving them a call and asking them the questions you mentioned.

Otherwise, you seem to know a fair deal about this industry. I need to insure a 320d that I am buying fairly soon. It will be driven by my finance, she is 27. The quotes received so far have been higher than I would like, which is why I am trying to look beyond the most common out there.
Click to expand...

I am not sure how you have gone about getting your quotes, but 2 obvious routes to pursue. Go it alone and call around for your own quotes or find a reputable broker in your area who has the ability to present a minimum of 3 quotes from companies they deal with.

I won't steer you in either direction. The risk of going it alone is whether you will know enough about the product and its policy wording so that you don't end with a lemon. I have heard (I stress heard) that some insurance companies give incentives and/or commission style structure to their claims negotiators to keep claims to either avoid claims or limit the final pay-out. That upsets me and tarnishes the industry image.

Price is important, but sometimes the peace of mind is work tons more. Peace of mind comes with nothing there are no loop holes or catches in the policy wording.

At 27 and regular driver being a dame, it should count in your favour, especially if she has a good history behind the wheel. Most companies load the rate a bit for under 25's. No harm in talking to Oakhurst, but consider insuring your household contents as that sometime reduces the rate. If you are looking motor only, it might mean the price is a little more than you want (as companies generally see it as being "unsupported" business).
 
daWolf said:
Just go on to Hellopeter and read up peoples regretful stories using them. I too was very close to insuring with them as they were giving me a very good premium on my car but after doing some research decided not to. I ended up going with Glenrand MIB. My Dad has been insured with Glenrand MIB for over a decade and I decided to try them out. They gave me quite a nice deal for Car, Home, Cellphone and Laptop cover.
Click to expand...

I have yet to see a company that doesn't get its fair share of criticism. It's the nature of the business. In time of loss we all want the claim to be settled yesterday at way more than we insured for. Going with a reputable broker is sometime the best option.

By the way, Glenrand MIB have been bought by AON SA, another large local and international broker. So nothing wrong.
 
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Avoid them at all costs. My car has been away for a little more than 3 months and they don't even bother calling me to let me know what's going on. I've tried countless number of times to be civil but they're just too arrogant. I spoke to few people and somehow, they have similar stories to mine.
 
Just go to a reputable broker like Alexander Forbes or Glenrand MIB. That way you don't have to do the crappy quote legwork.
 
satanboy said:
Just go to a reputable broker like Alexander Forbes or Glenrand MIB. That way you don't have to do the crappy quote legwork.
Click to expand...

Agreed. That way you let the broker kick start the insurance company into action.
 
Pm pitbull, he will sort you out with quotes from Alexander forbes or I can share my brokers details with you.
 
I know this thread is almost two years old but things do change, so just wondering if anyone is with them and if there are any problems?

I see they will want to install a tracker in your car that monitors reckless and irresponsible driving. I am not too sure if I am happy about that but they do offer the lowest premiums that I have found.
 
Followed you over from the king price thread ;) *stalker* :D

recently also went insurance shopping - and had a comparison between Oakhurst and another Insurer.

Oakhurst uses tracking data for your benefit as well as for your down-fall ( eg when you claim they will use the unit's stats to determine if you were speeding)

other major gripes was the percentage based excess, and also double exess(yes you read correctly - double (eg 20k on a 100k car) in some cases (most notably accidents where only your vehicle was involved).
they also couldn't include a rental vehicle on the quote.
I also didn't see many details on the "up to" percentage bonus they pay you back for responsible driving.

I managed to get a much better quotation from Discovery insure - and also some options to choose from at a cheaper price than oakhurst :). - Tracker included, tracking data is for my benefit only, and terms and conditions is much more leniant.

hope you find the right insurer

regards
 
Necro.

Anyone with these guys? I had my pet insurance with them and had no isses even with claims. I tried that bestcompare and they came up as a car insurance quote and it was significantly lower than my current.

Any feedback? Car and Home?
 
Been with them for about three years. I had my first, and only, claim with them just three weeks after changing to them when a drunk driver thought he was Michael Schumaker's rival and crashed into my three-month-old car, writing it off. The only thing they wanted before paying out, other than the usual police reports etc, was proof from my previous insurer that I had not had a claim for more than three years as I had specified on the application. Once they received that, they paid out.
 
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