Mutual & Federal (M&F) announced this week that it has registered claims worth approximately R20 million so far as a result of the St Francis Bay fire disaster.
“Depending on whether more customers contact us, we might see an escalation of claims in the coming days,” said Heidi Dias, head of claims at M&F.
“Our Port Elizabeth management team travelled to St Francis Bay yesterday to assess the level of the damage and to assist our clients. What we have so far ascertained is that one of our customers, the Royal Wharf complex, which consists of 10 units, was badly affected by the fire, and so were two other free standing homes insured with us,” said Dias.
Pay out
M&F is awaiting a detailed forensic report concerning the cause of the fire, but it has made an interim payment to one of its customers. “We had to do this to ensure that the customer gets alternative accommodation and other essentials during this tragic time,” Dias revealed.
The short-term insurer said it has seen an influx of claims following the October/November Gauteng hailstorms, the Eastern Cape floods and the Polokwane hailstorms.
The company has urged all its customers to make contact as soon as possible. “It is during times like these that we want to make good on our promise of protecting what’s important to our customers,” added Dias concludes.