A Cape Town woman has secured a significant victory against Standard Bank in her insurance claim for storm damage to her 130-year-old heritage home. The bank, however, is planning to appeal the decision, which was made after a two-and-a-half year battle. The woman, who prefers to remain anonymous, had her roof torn off by a storm with winds of 142 km/h, causing extensive damage to her home.
Insurance Claim Dispute
The bank argued that the damage was due to wear and tear, but the Appeal Tribunal ruled in favor of the woman. Despite the ruling, Standard Bank has failed to make payment, with the deadline for payment having elapsed on February 27, 2026. The bank’s spokesperson, Ross Linstrom, stated that they would be taking the matter on appeal at the National Financial Ombud (NFO).
The woman’s ordeal started on Heritage Day 2023, when the storm ripped through Woodstock, causing damage to her home. She contacted Standard Insurance Limited the next morning but had to wait eight days for an assessor to arrive. In the meantime, she had to call out a contractor at her own expense to put up a temporary covering. A second storm caused additional damage, with water running down her wooden stairs and pooling on top of the metal pressed ceiling on the ground floor.
Damage and Claim
The total damage suffered by the woman due to the storm was R363,178.25. Standard Insurance Ltd only paid R228,408 for the replacement of the roof and R23,797 for emergency repairs. The woman had to remove most of her furniture and put it into storage at a total cost of R23,787.00, which formed part of her claim. The following is a breakdown of the costs:
- R363,178.25: total damage suffered
- R228,408: payment for roof replacement
- R23,797: payment for emergency repairs
- R23,787.00: cost of storing furniture
The woman’s case highlights the importance of having adequate insurance cover and the need for insurance companies to honor their commitments. For more information on insurance claims and disputes, visit the National Financial Ombud website or the Standard Bank website.
