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 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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