Call us now:
Onah Attorneys Inc • Johannesburg
Insurance Claim Rejected? Make Them Prove It
Insurers collect premiums with a smile and repudiate claims with a form letter. Rejections for ‘non-disclosure’, ‘unroadworthy vehicle’, ‘inadequate security’ or breached policy conditions are frequently legally unsustainable — repudiation is only lawful where the insurer proves materiality and the policy wording supports it. We force insurers to justify rejections, escalate to the Ombudsman, and litigate where they can’t.
Call 011 042 8039Free Case AssessmentWhen you need insurance claim rejection attorneys
Car insurance claims rejected after accident or theft
Household contents claims repudiated on security warranties
Life policies repudiated for alleged non-disclosure
Funeral policy non-payment
Business interruption and commercial claim disputes
Underpayment — lowball settlements below replacement value
Policy cancellations after claims
Broker negligence in placing or advising on cover
How we handle your matter
Repudiation autopsy
We dissect the rejection letter against the actual policy wording — most repudiations quote clauses that don’t say what the insurer claims.
Evidence rebuild
We assemble the proof that defeats the stated ground: disclosure records, tracker data, roadworthiness evidence, security compliance.
Formal dispute
A legal challenge through the insurer’s internal dispute resolution — with the litigation-ready file attached — reverses a meaningful share of repudiations.
Ombudsman (NFO)
Cost-free escalation to the National Financial Ombud puts independent eyes on the insurer’s conduct with binding outcomes in many cases.
Litigation
Time-bar clauses give you limited months to sue after rejection — we issue summons before rights die, and insurers settle trial-ready claims.
Fees — transparent, agreed upfront
Reviews of rejection letters are a modest fixed fee. Disputes and Ombud complaints are staged fixed fees; litigation on larger claims can be structured on partial contingency where merits are strong.
Key legislation:
- Insurance Act 18 of 2017
- Policyholder Protection Rules
- Short-term Insurance Act 53 of 1998
Frequently asked questions
Can an insurer reject my claim for non-disclosure?
Only where the non-disclosed fact was material — a reasonable insurer would have declined the risk or charged more. Trivial or unrelated non-disclosures don’t lawfully void a claim, though insurers try.
What is a time-bar clause?
Policies typically give you 90–180 days to dispute a rejection and 6–36 months to issue summons, or your claim dies contractually even if valid. Never sit on a rejection letter.
The insurer says my car was unroadworthy — now what?
They must prove the specific defect existed AND caused or contributed to the loss. Worn tyres don’t defeat a theft claim, and causation arguments defeat most roadworthiness repudiations.
Is the Ombudsman worth it before suing?
Usually yes — the NFO is free, insurers take it seriously, and an adverse Ombud finding pressures settlement. But watch time-bars: the complaint doesn’t always stop the litigation clock.
My claim was paid but far too little — can I dispute quantum?
Yes. Replacement value disputes, betterment deductions and write-off valuations are all challengeable with independent assessments — underpayment is repudiation’s quieter sibling.
Can I claim from my broker instead?
Where a broker failed to place cover you instructed, or advised you into inadequate cover, the broker’s professional negligence is independently actionable — often the cleaner target.
Speak to an Attorney Today
Get straight answers about insurance claim rejection attorneys from a firm that fights to win. First consultation — no obligation, full confidentiality.
Call 011 042 8039 Request a Callback