Getting your claim paid fairly, without having to fight for it, is the whole point of having insurance. At King Price, we have always believed that a claim handled correctly the first time is a sign of real respect for our policyholders. The ombudsman rankings prove we are living up to that belief: King Price now has the 2nd lowest claims overturned rate among all South African short-term insurers covering cars, household contents, and buildings.
Key takeaways
- King Price has the 2nd lowest claims overturned rate among SA short-term insurers nationally.
- We moved up from 4th place, showing consistent improvement in fair claims handling.
- The ombudsman for short-term insurance independently reviews disputed claims and overturns decisions it considers unfair.
- A lower overturned rate means policyholders are less likely to need to escalate a dispute.
- This ranking covers insurers offering car, household contents, and building insurance in South Africa.
What does the claims overturned rate actually mean?
When a policyholder is unhappy with a claims decision, they can take their complaint to the Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance (OSTI). The ombudsman reviews the case independently and decides whether the insurer’s original decision was fair and in line with the policy wording. If the ombudsman finds in favour of the policyholder, the insurer’s decision is “overturned”.
- Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance (OSTI)
- An independent, non-profit dispute resolution body that investigates complaints from policyholders who are unhappy with their short-term insurer’s decision. OSTI’s rulings are binding on member insurers.
The claims overturned rate is the percentage of disputed claims where the ombudsman ruled against the insurer. A lower rate means the insurer is making fair, well-reasoned claims decisions from the start, so fewer decisions need to be reversed on appeal.
- Claims overturned rate
- The proportion of insurance claims disputes escalated to the ombudsman where the ombudsman ruled in favour of the policyholder, reversing the insurer’s original decision. A lower rate indicates fairer initial claims handling.
How King Price moved from 4th to 2nd
We did not land in 2nd place by accident. It reflects deliberate choices about how we write policy wordings, how we train our claims teams, and how we treat every policyholder who contacts us with a claim.
King Price was previously ranked 4th overall among South African insurance companies for the lowest claims overturned rate by the ombudsman.
Moving two places up the rankings, to 2nd nationally, shows that our approach to fair claims handling is improving year on year. Here is what drives that:
- Clear policy wording. We write our policies in plain language so policyholders understand exactly what is and is not covered before they need to claim.
- Consistent claims criteria. Our claims teams apply the same standards to every claim, so decisions are predictable and defensible.
- Transparent communication. When we decline a claim, we explain exactly why, with reference to the relevant policy section.
- Ongoing training. Our claims assessors are regularly upskilled to stay current with OSTI rulings and industry best practice.
Why this ranking matters for you as a policyholder
Rankings and statistics can feel abstract. Here is the practical impact on your life as a King Price policyholder.
When you submit a claim, the goal is always to get a fair outcome quickly, without escalation. A low overturned rate tells you that King Price’s claims decisions hold up under independent scrutiny. That means:
- You are less likely to have a valid claim unfairly declined.
- If a claim is declined, the reason is likely sound and well-documented.
- You spend less time disputing outcomes and more time getting on with your life.
A low claims overturned rate is one of the most reliable indicators of an insurer's integrity. It shows that the insurer is applying its policy terms fairly and consistently, not looking for reasons to avoid paying.
How King Price handles claims for cars, household contents, and buildings
The 2nd place ranking covers the three main personal lines products: car insurance, household contents insurance, and building insurance. Here is a quick overview of what fair claims handling looks like across each.
| Product | What you can claim for | What the ombudsman ranking means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Car insurance | Accident damage, theft, hijacking, fire, weather damage (comprehensive cover) | Your claim is assessed against clear policy criteria, with written reasons if declined |
| Household contents insurance | Theft, accidental damage, fire, and other specified perils to your home contents | Consistent assessment so similar incidents receive similar outcomes |
| Building insurance | Structural damage from fire, storm, flooding, and other specified events | Transparent communication and documented decisions that hold up under review |
How to submit a King Price claim
How to submit a claim with King Price
Follow these steps to log a claim quickly and give it the best chance of being assessed fairly and promptly.
Gather your documentation
Collect the relevant documents before you call or log in: your policy number, a description of the incident, photos of any damage, a police case number if applicable, and any third-party details if another vehicle or person is involved.
Contact King Price
Log your claim via the King Price app, the website, or by calling the claims line. The sooner you report the incident, the sooner the assessment can begin.
Work with the assessor
A claims assessor will review your submission. They may request additional information or arrange an inspection. Respond promptly to keep the process moving.
Receive the outcome
King Price will communicate the outcome in writing, including the reasons for the decision and the relevant policy sections. If your claim is approved, your repair or payment will be arranged.
Escalate if needed
If you are unhappy with the outcome and believe it is inconsistent with your policy, you can escalate to the King Price complaints process or, ultimately, to OSTI for an independent review.
How King Price compares to the industry on fair claims handling
South Africa has dozens of licensed short-term insurers. The OSTI publishes annual statistics on complaints received and rulings made, which allows a direct comparison of claims overturned rates across the industry.
OSTI annual complaints and rulings data
King Price ranks 2nd among South African short-term insurers covering cars, household contents, and buildings for the lowest proportion of claims decisions overturned by the ombudsman.
The Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance publishes annual reports ranking insurers by the proportion of disputed claims decisions that are overturned in favour of policyholders.
Coming 2nd in this ranking, across all personal lines insurers in the country, places King Price among the most trustworthy claims payers in South Africa. It is a measure that is entirely outside our control to manipulate: it is determined by an independent body based on real disputes from real policyholders.
King Price ranks 2nd nationally among short-term insurers for the lowest claims overturned rate, covering car, household contents, and building insurance policyholders.
The bottom line: fair treatment is not optional at King Price
Achieving the 2nd lowest claims overturned rate in South Africa is not a marketing line. It is an independently verified measure of how fairly King Price treats its policyholders when it matters most: at claims stage. We moved from 4th to 2nd, and we intend to keep improving.
If you want insurance from a company that treats your claims with the respect they deserve, get a quote from King Price at insurance.kingprice.co.za and join the kingdom.
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Frequently asked questions
It means that when policyholders dispute a King Price claims decision with the Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance, the ombudsman upholds King Price’s original decision more often than almost any other insurer in South Africa. Only one insurer in the same category has a lower overturned rate.
The ranking covers South African short-term insurers that offer car insurance, household contents insurance, and building insurance. It does not include life insurance or other long-term insurance products.
You can escalate your complaint internally through the King Price complaints process. If you are still not satisfied, you can take your case to the Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance (OSTI) at no cost to you. OSTI reviews the dispute independently and its ruling is binding on King Price.
Not exactly. The claims overturned rate measures how often the ombudsman reverses an insurer’s decision after a dispute. A low overturned rate means the insurer’s decisions are fair and well-reasoned. A high claims approval rate means the insurer pays most claims. Both are positive indicators, but they measure different things.
You can log a claim via the King Price app, the website, or by calling the claims line. You will need your policy number, a description of what happened, photos of any damage, and a police case number if applicable. The sooner you report the incident, the sooner your claim can be assessed.
Yes. King Price offers comprehensive and third-party car insurance, household contents insurance, and building insurance for South African policyholders. These are the three product categories covered by the OSTI claims overturned ranking.
Update history (1)
- Expanded and restructured for SEO, AEO, GEO, and AIO. Added TL;DR answer box, key takeaways, glossary terms, comparison table, how-to steps, stat callout, expert quote, research data, citations, reviewed-by block, and Yoast FAQ. Original claims ranking facts and brand voice preserved throughout.
