A new gateway for insurance complaints
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<p><strong>By: Offices of the Ombudsman for Long-Term Insurance and the Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance</strong></p>
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<p>In an effort to assist complainants who are unsure where to lodge an insurance complaint, a new portal or gateway has been launched.</p>
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<p>The introduction of the additional point of entry for complaints relating to insurance products coincides with the coming into office of a joint Ombudsman for long-term (life) and short-term (non-life) insurance complaints from 1 January 2020.</p>
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<p>Retired Judge McLaren, the current Ombudsman for Long-term Insurance, in addition takes over the adjudicative role in the office of the Ombudsman for Short-term Insurance. Judge Ron McLaren brings with him a wealth of judicial experience and knowledge in dealing with and resolving insurance disputes. Edite Teixeira-Mckinon has been appointed by the Board of the office of the Short-term Insurance Ombudsman as Chief Executive Officer of the office of the Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance and will head up all operations.</p>
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<p>For some time, National Treasury has advocated a self-rationalisation process for the four statutorily recognised voluntary financial services ombudsman schemes, namely long-term insurance, short-term insurance, banking and credit.</p>
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<p>Against the backdrop of changes in the policy and insurance environment, the Boards of both insurance ombudsman schemes made an in-principle decision to enter into a shared services agreement and have a joint Ombudsman for the adjudication of both long-term and short-term insurance complaints.</p>
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<p>The office of the Ombudsman for Long-term Insurance and the office of the Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance will remain in existence and continue to operate separately within their current defined jurisdictions.</p>
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<p>Judge McLaren said the single port of entry will be a welcome facility for complainants who are uncertain at which office to lodge a complaint. Complainants of both life and non-life insurance can also continue to use the existing entry points. If a complaint needs to be transferred to the other office, it will be a seamless process.</p>
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<p><strong>The portal provides complainants with the following contact points:</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Website:</strong> <a href="http://www.insuranceombudsman.co.za/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.insuranceombudsman.co.za&source=gmail&ust=1580825671417000&usg=AFQjCNGFmsdwy7l7lBkEgrqyD4hH8Mqhng">www.insuranceombudsman.co.za</a></p>
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<p><strong>Telefax: </strong> 086 589 0696</p>
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<p><strong>Email:</strong> <a href="mailto:info@insuranceombudsman.co.za">\info@insuranceombudsman.co.za</a></p>
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<p><strong>Share call number:</strong> 0860 103 236</p>
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