1st for Women Insurance
reviews and complaints

I had canceled my policy in February I was advised I will not be debited for March..however I was I immediately contacted FFW it's been 2 weeks I have gotten the run around with managers who are unethical and have not gotten back to me with refunding me after illegally debating my account with a debit order I canceled

Please call me as soon as possible [protected]

On the 4th of November 2021 I was involved in an accident where the car after me knocked and push me to the car in front of me. Then I was told to pay the access fee if 7500 then it will be refunded in 30 days the legal team will want it from the insurance of the person who caused the accident. I paid the access fee on the 15 Dec. 2021 up to this date no one is giving me an update of when am I going to get it back, each time I called I'm told Thabiso will get back to me with an update but until now no one has bothered to give me an update. So please assit me.

Then with the fender liner The car was fetched from Renew it Randburg on the 15 dec 2021 apperantly the liner was replaced but not screwed well, my son came to fetch it together with my husband then on the way to my workplace my son heard some noise of something dragging on the drivers side whe he stopped and look only to find out that this plastic liner is draging he had to pull it off, so today I'm telling Patricia @Renew it she says it can not be fixed because its now long that I didn't report it. So i find it unfair for them to say that, I did report with the company that is doing customer satisfactory for renew it its on record cos when I was called after receiving my car I had few complaits and this fender liner I told them about it the lady said she will follow it up. Thanks

Really fed up with first for women insurance... My premium went up from r35 to r285 for a cellphone insurance. When queried, I was told it was due to claims that were made. How dumb can you guys be!... My claims were declined!.. And yet my premium went up. I have been with this insurance for almost 4 years and this was my first claim!. It is daylight robbery... I've already contacted momentum to switch over. I can't deal with the fact that I spent much of money on premiums and it was not worth it. You guys produce false advertising! I would advise customers not to join them! They are quick to sign up for policies but the service is pathetic.

So this incident happened today the 16/02/2022 at 2:30pm and it was a call back because I had requested one. I'm an existing member and my policy number is [protected]. There is a lady that phoned me and who was not friendly at all asked me what the call back was for I then proceeded to tell her that I needed to cancel the tracker that I currently am paying though first for women that goes off with my premium and as I was explaining this she was quiet and unresponsive and I had to ask if she was still there on the line with me or not. When she responded eventually she asked me what "about the premium", I then lost my cool and told her that if she was listening she would have heard what I was saying about premium. I then told her that if she doesn't want to assist me she should just say so because she was just rude. I then tried to explain again what I needed to happen but she interrupted me and I told her if she wanted to know what I was saying about the premium she should give me the chance to finish what I was saying and then she dropped the phone in my ear and I haven't heard anything from her after that. to me she intentionally dropped the phone whilst I was still talking or explaining myself. the other thing that pisses me off is that she didn't even introduce herself for me to catch her name. I am so dissatisfied with that kind of service and I will not tolerate anyone treating me like that.

I have had no assistance regarding a claim. I have emailed and called but there has been no response or help from the consultants. not once on the phone I was asked if I needed assistance or where I broke down. I was advised to go to the locksmith who will then contact the insurance. I was told the electric switch was covered and when I sent the claim I only received a call to say it will not be covered. This is the electric back switch that had broken and the policy states electric switch covered. I have had no help or assistance regarding the claim. One consultant advised me to do this and the next to do that. This was my first claim and I am disappointed in the level of service to say the least. Quick to take off the monthly fee but no assistance and when you want to claim no help and no refund. Please assist me in resolving this matter or I will be cancelling my policy and make this public on the user forums to advise possible clients of this bad service. When you sign the contract you are promised the best service money can buy buy never the less this is not the case.

Good day

I would like to cancel my car insurance with immediate effect, as I found a cheaper one, your premium goes up every so I can't afford it anymore, I have other expenses to take care off so your premium becoming too much for me each month.
Kindly take this email as urgent, I don't want duplicate deduction this month.

Regards
Mmataedi Ellen Lethoba

When I was looking for a new Insurance Company,
I phoned "HIPPO" I told them exactly what I needed
A "DEATH Benefit" for my husband as the VEHICLE was on Mr.EMILE HOFFMANNS, name. Fully comprehensive as far as I understood that this included the" DEATH Benefit" which I made clear to both "HIPPO" & FFW" consultant's.
When my Husband passed away, my Son Mark Hoffmann, checked with FFW's Consultant that my Husband was covered & he confirmed that my Husband was covered.
We waited to hear when the settlement of the" Ford Figo, " was going to be settled!
Suddenly the 3rd or 4th consultant after been referred to one other my Son, was told by FFW consultant that, MFC's consultant had asked me if I don't want "AD" cover with out any explanation as to what that was!
Only now I spoke to Sanlam & told them that "FFW" won't settle the Vehicle's out standing amount:-
To be told that apparently
"COMPREHENSION insurance" cover's everything except when you just DIE.
But "HIPPO nor FFW" told me this when I asked if my HUSBAND dies will the vehicle is be paid up to& I was told "YES" by both parties!
Now what!
Firstly I want all my premium's back from "FFW"
I am also taken this matter to the OMBUDSMAN & to the MEDIA on TV.

Mrs. EM Hoffmann
[protected]

I have put in a claim with first for woman last month, shortly after that i received a call from them stating my premium is incorrect and the need to increase it, this is totally unacceptable, they sent my claim to be settled, and not have cancelled my policy without me asking them to

I want to take my husband off my insurance and put my daughter on as a regular driver with me with the regular excess applicable for me and my daughter as we are sharing the vehicle now, but the call centre agent informed me that it cannot be done, but I do not agree because my husband does not even drive my car and I am supposed to have a say in who can be on my insurance and who not, because the agent wanted to take me off and put my daughter on. When I informed him if that is the case I am going to get quotes from other insurance companies he just said it is fine.

Good morning. I would like to lay a complaint.
I have put a claim this morning (before 7 o clock) it was for my back window that was damaged and needed to be replaced. At 8:08 first for women contacted me my claim has been approved and they will send my request to glass fit. It is 11.08/and no sign of first for women! I have sent call backs through the app already and no one got in contact with me. I called them at 10 and they told me glass fit will be in contact I'm still waiting (11). Now that I called again they're telling me the glass needs to be ordered! Wow, after 3 hours I must hear of this what the hell! I've lost a days' money because of this as I'm unable to get to work? And now to top it off I have vehicle hire on my car and they refuse to give me that saying it's not an accident. I'm only covered when it is an accident how the hell can I drive with a window that is falling apart! So that's not deemed as an accident... After getting in contact with a superior person I'm now being told I have to pay this and that! What the hell wasn't this stuff explained to me? Why now when it comes to claim all this nitty-gritty comes out?
I'm really disappointed in this totally bad service. Eventually glass fit contacted me and guess what? They can only get a window by tomorrow? So another day I'm unable to get to work? What is this? What was I paying for almost 3years? Wow! Unbelievable!
I'm highly disappointed in this service! I need answers as I'm about to have this policy cancelled cause clearly first for women is not for women!

Thank you and I hope I will get some feedback asap.

I claimed from 1st women insurance 3rd party.
My vehicle was Off and stationery Parked outside a shop, insured party damaged my car. The car was digitally assessed and we were offered an amount. I got a quote from the company we would of been sent to from our insurance. This quote was more than double so o got another quote also from a place on our insurance list of panel beaters and was even more.
I sent both quotes in and we waited 2 months for a response. We got an offer of thousands less than both quote. No reason.
Its not fair and it should ne paid in full so i can fix my brand new rav 4.
I have decided to go to small claims court to sue rather. Im glad im not your client. If this was my insurance i would of left them immidiately. I expect to be paid in full, my vehicle was switched off and parked. There is no panelbeater around that can do it for less. Disgusting !

Good day

Policy number: 951187532

On the 22 August 2020 I reported an incident that took place on the 21/08/2020 were by I bumped into another car while reversing and the claim was processed and I was told the third party need to do their own claim which it was done but till today the matter has not been settled due to the fact that the amount that was offered to the third party was less than the actual cost of the damage. I have called numerous times to your claims & legal team but the is no help of settling this matter. The legal team that sent the offer to the third party also referred the third party to the panel beaters that will fix the car at the offered amount but after assessing the car the panel beaters told the third party the door of the car needs to be replaced and the fee that was given to him its very less the total cost to fix the car is almost double what was offered to the third party. The issue is that the third party says his tired of the runaround he will hand in the car and I will have to pay the balance, but that amount I can not afford and I don't understand why should I pay if I have a comprehensive cover that covers third party liability of R5 000 000.00. I am very disappointed about how this matter is being handled it is more than 2 months and the is no settlement, the most stressing part is that the third party is calling me every now and then. Please assist me urgently to settle this matter it is over due.

Kindest regards,
Silindile Ubisi
[protected]

I have been called and sent SMSes numerous times by 1st For Women, even though I have asked to be removed off their lists and opted out each SMS. Today, 20 October 2020, between 10:05 and 10:11 I have been sent the same SMS 91 times. This is not counting the numerous SMSes I have received daily which I have deleted. This is ridiculous and I do not want to be contacted by them.

I had car insurance with FIrst for women, then decided to cancel because of poor service. Upon me cancelling my policy with them they neglected to cancel the policy they took with the tracking company. I am now told I can't get out of the contract with the tracking company of which I did not undertake in my personal capacity. This was done by first for women as part of the insurance package I took with first for women and not the tracking company. My bank account is being debited for something I did not authorise. First for women needs to cancel the policy taken with the tracking company. I am very disappointed with a company that's supposed to be about women but they do the opposite.

Bad service ever I have been with them 3 years without a claim, I lodged a claim on the 6 of august and after 2 weeks it was approved, boom today I call the panelbeater which is renew it only to be told that first for woman wrote off my car, when you phone them they cant even give you answeres you, im so dissapointed and my car was not badly damaged now its written off, good luck to people who still consider taking insurance with 1st for woman

Good day,

Can someone please assist?

Policy number: [protected]

Below you will see the email trail of our experience we've had with our claim, first for woman and suspension city.
Marcelino, a manager at 1st for woman, arranged that we would receive car rental for 15 days. Tomorrow 18th June will be the 15th day and this car will need to be returned.

From the 5th June we have been awaiting feedback regarding an update to our repair. So far, we received an SMS on the 11th June from suspension city stating that they received authorization to go ahead with the repairs and that they are still waiting on the spare parts.
The concern here is that on the 8th of June, they already received the authorization, why only send us a text message on the 11th?

10:53 2020/06/17-suspension city -

I just called suspension city and spoke to Ryan, he said that the spare parts are with the agents in Tygervalley and that there is a problem with getting the parts to them. He then said that they are matching up the parts. I asked him how long this would take, he said his not sure and he does not know.
I'm sorry, but I do not accept this response or service and as you can see, Ryan has no idea what is going on around him. My car has been towed away from my home on the 29th May. To date, no repair has been initiated as yet. No feedback, no update I'm far from happy as you can see.

What do I want?

1. When will suspension city receive the spare parts from the agents?
2. How long will it take for them to repair my vehicle once they receive the parts?
3. Current car hire to be extended until repairs has been completed at no cost to myself.
4. Regular feedback and updates regarding my vehicle.

I need this resolved ASAP, I cannot be without a vehicle, I need this to earn a living and to protect myself and family in terms of the current pandemic.

Below is the previous email of complaint for your reference.

My wife and I logged a claim with your company on Friday 29th May 2020 - reference number -[protected]/4. We were told that a Vinnolan Madison would be assisting us and will be keeping us updated. Our car was towed on the same day by Basson's. We were told by 3 members of your staff (all calls recorded) that by today 3 June, we will have an update on whether the claim had been approved or not.

To date, no one has called us. No one had emailed, no one had sent and SMS or a please call me. I have used my personal airtime to follow up with you. I called in to your call center, claims department. I was told that the assessor can see no damages but that he heard a noise coming from the suspension. She said that the car will go in for another assessment on Friday 5th June. I then asked to speak to a manager; she put me on hold and returned after 5 minutes saying that her manager is on a call. I told her that I will take it further.

10 minutes after this call, I received a call from Vinnolan. He says to me that the car was assessed, but the car will have to be assessed again due to noise from the suspension and no view of damages. I asked if his assessor was qualified and he said yes. I then said that I personally am not an assessor, mechanic or panel beater. But even so, I could see that the one side of the car was lower than the other side. I inspected the tires and noticed that on the driver side front, the coil spring that goes around the shock was broken; I assume that it had snapped when I hit the pothole. I am not the expert here, but I could visibly see that damage with my eyes. There could be further damages, again I don't know, I am only disputing the fact that he said that he could not see any physical damages.

I explained to Vinnolan that each person I have spoken to thus far, has given me different stories. Each story is different to the next consultant. I told him that I wasn't expecting my car to be fixed and delivered today. I know that is being unrealistic. I only ask for honesty, integrity and to be treated with respect.Vinnolan said that his Manager will call me back later, his name is Marcelino . I won't hold my breath. We've been with you for a few years. We've never skipped a payment. we even refer you t our friends and families, and this is the thanks we get, the one time we really need you.

We are all in a situation, with Covid pandemic. I need to earn a living, and to do that, I need my car to go to work, to transport my daughter to school or to my mother whilst we are at work.
I added car hire to my policy on Monday 1st June; you guys debited my account for this on 2nd June 2020 . Is there any way I can make use of this while you guys sort out my car?

I write this letter to try and resolve this internally first, before making it a whole public dispute

Hi Hayley

Below is a mail I sent to Automagic head office regarding the service I received when I took in my vehicle for repairs.

" This is a formal complaint for various incidents experienced as my vehicle went in for repairs at auto magic Pietermaritzburg branch.

1. I took in my vehicle to the branch on 27/11/2019 where I received an sms saying the vehicles estimated time of completion is the 13th of December.

Tuesday 3 December I called the branch asking about the progress of the vehicle, and the lady who assisted me kindly told me my vehicle is in for painting and should be ready for collection Thursday the 5th of December.

I arrived at the branch on the 5th of December, and I was told they had made a mistake, they "thought" it was the other client (which we share the same surname) whose car was due.

I had traveled 35km to get to the branch and that meant I had to go back without my vehicle.

Is this how the company operates? On thoughts? Why wasn't my identity checked against the vehicle?

Because I was told my vehicle will be ready by Thursday I confirmed a trip to the South Coast only to find "Oh Sorry incorrect Mthembu it's the other Mthembu". I had to rent a vehicle for that weekend because of NEGLIGENCE at your company. I demand the costs incurred from that vehicle hire be reimbursed to me because I was told by YOUR employees that the Vehicle WILL BE READY by Thursday which it was not.

2. On Tuesday the 10th of December I received a voice message from the lady assisting me asking me to call her back regarding the right side of the vehicle. I called back and the she was in a meeting, they said she was going to call me back after the meeting and I've been awaiting that call since.

3. The morning of the 13th of December I called the branch to find out if the vehicle was ready, I was told IT WILL be ready by 14:30p.m.
I arrived at the branch at about 14:15p.m and I was told the lady assisting me "won't be long".
I waited for atleast an hour before I was told the car "won't be long it's in the wash bay".
I waited for 2 HOURS, the vehicle was still not ready! No one advised me of the "unforseen delays" as it stated in the message. When the vehicle was "ready" I was told to go check it, I went outside to check the vehicle and no one was assisting me. Instead a client that came long after me was being assisted at the desk! I don't know if this how the company operates or perhaps it's because I'm young, black and female!

Furthermore upon checking the vehicle the left side of the bumper which was being repaired was not intact and I was told " it will not be because the right side is faulty" meanwhile it was intact before the accident and when it was brought in, the checkin images are there to prove that. So upon checking the checkin images they then got their mechanic to resemble the car! I have been here from 2:15p.m and it's 16:45 and I'm still waiting for the vehicle.

The level of service I have received is pathetic! I don't know if this is what the company strives to deliver! This is how the company treats their clients!

Client Miss Nomaswazi Mthembu
Cell:[protected]
Email: [protected]@gmail.com
Branch: Automagic Pietermaritzburg
Insurer: First for women

I demand a response as soon as possible with action taken! "

On the 10/01/2020, last week Friday as I was driving to work the fender cover (on the side that was damaged from the accident and repaired by Automagic) fell off! I called the branch and had to go back to them. The parts are being ordered for replacement.

The service I have received from them is appalling. My contract is between Myself and first for women, the people contracted to do the job is between first for women and them! I do not want to deal with them anymore. I need first for women to mediate. Also please ensure that the fender cover they ordered to replace is the original mazda part.

My windscreen got replaced Tuesday 14/01/2020 at GlasFit Pietermaritzburg. When I collected the vehicle the windscreen they replaced with WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL MAZDA SCREEN. I am very unhappy about that. I asked the gentleman at GlasFit and they said that is what the insurance has authorized.
Firstly the windscreen claim was delayed and then when it was replaced this is the problem I encounter.

My vehicle is a 2018 model, it's still under warranty. What happens if anything happens to the vehicle and I claim warranty at Madza and they waive it because the parts used to replace were the original? Whose going to be liable for those costs?

I chose to take First for women as my insurer, from all the options that were available because I trusted that the company will deliver and help me in times of need.

But really all the trouble that I've had to go through with this particular claim has left me dissatisfied, disappointed and frustrated. It's very draining that one has to fight to get a satisfactory service.

I called in yesterday spoke to a few people that side and they said they taking up the matter to the manager. You tried calling me yesterday afternoon it was not a good time to speak and you had said you will get back to me this morning.

This message I sent to one of managers at first for women on Thursday the 16th of January and to date I have not received response.

My name is Kholwani Ncube. ID [protected]. I have a car insurance policy with firstforwomen policy number [protected]. I had an accident and my car was sent for accessment then Sent to VIP fleet Solutions for panel beating. After 6 weeks they called me to fetch my car and on arrival I found central locking of the car not working. Airbag light on, hazards flashing. Other door completely not opening. I did not fetch the car and I left it for them to sort the above issues. Today 15/10/2019 they called informing me that the insurance has agreed for my car to be sent to Renault as they are unable to fix the problem and they are alleging that the previous panel beater (renew it) had had incorrectly connected wires in the door. Firstly they had said paint was not drying due to wrong paint used by the previous panel beater. We as clients, we don't choose panel beaters, we are told to send the car to a particular panel beater. Iam even doubting the credibility of this panel beater.
The car was sent to them with hazzards flashing, airbag light on and rear door not closing and the other one not opening.

Thank you
Kholwani Ncube

[protected]

Hi Millicent,

I've managed to collect the car on Friday, 12 July 2019 from Jacko's Autobody & Dent Removers. I must say, I am disappointed by how First For Women has handled the claim process.

After my car was towed, it was stored at an incorrect towing yard, I as the client personally notified First For Women about my car location.
The first week after the accident and claim submission no one had made any contact with me. It took Ms. Millicent Polaits* more than 5 working days to contact me and follow up with me about my claim report/progress during this stressful period. The same week, my car was not booked for assessment nor at a Panel beater.
I took the matter to social media and I just kept on getting Automatic response that "a consultant will call you back".
Id spend 60 min in a day making phone calls every day to follow up on my claim and process.
I must say, I have never experienced so much stress in my life to a point that I'd get chest pains and my heart rate would drop all thanks to First for Women. This whole process affected my health and work, yet when they advertise themselves they make it seem like they know what they are doing.

Finally, my car was fixed (it wasn't even a huge job) the panel beater told me that this was supposed to take 5 days instead of 6 weeks.
When I went to pick up my car it had a few scratches and they told me that they cannot be held responsible for that, because the car was stored somewhere else (at the wrong yard) therefore, the scratched could've occurred from there.

I called First For Women (Access recovery department) on the 15th of July and I was told that they have not yet received my file.

I called again on the 22nd and I was told that my file is still new and they will attend to itas soon as they can, I should follow up with them on the 22 of August.

The sad thing is I have to wait for them to call the person that I was involve in an accident with, then they will send him a 30 day notice, then 7 days, then if the matter is not resolved I will need to gop to the Small claim court.

First for Women is happy to receive our monthly premium from a lot of South Africans, however when it comes to rcovering our access - the excuse they give us as their clients is - they receive a lot of claims.

This is some [censored]!

First For Women also added some amount in my policy, when I called to ask about it the consultant told me that I didn't submit my tracking certificate. This was after I submitted the tracking certificate for the 4th time.

I am disappointed and irritated by this Insurance company, very unsatisfied and disappointed by First for Women.

I need this nightmare to end.

Regards,
Nokuthula Mlangeni
Fed up customer