By Modupe Gbadeyanka
All seems not to be well between Leadway Assurance and one of its customers based in Abuja, Mr Jolayemi Woleola as both parties are arguing over an insurance claim.
The aggrieved customer accused the company of fraud, stating that he has been frustrated from getting what is due to him, describing the attitude and disposition of the insurer as not only appalling but annoying, disappointing and frustrating.
“I entered into a vehicle insurance contract with Leadway covering my Mercedes Benz E 300 2017 model. The insured car was involved in an accident with a trailer on Kubwa express in Abuja on 23/07/2021.
“I presented my claim to Leadway after relevant documents like the police report were issued. The Leadway insurance has maliciously refused to reinstate me to the position I was in prior to the accident.
“Leadway started from questioning the veracity of an accident which threatened my life to outright lies of claiming to visit the hospital where I was treated of bleeding and being told no patient was treated on that day to twisting outright glaring facts as to the value of the Vehicle prior to insuring same.
But in its response signed by Okanke Eze of the Claims Department and E.0. Soje for Divisional Director, Leadway claimed Mr Woleola breached the policy terms and conditions guiding the principles of insurance.
“You disclosed to us that the vehicle was purchased in April 2021, while the first servicing was done in Lagos before bringing it to Abuja. However, we discovered that the vehicle was sold via auction on 08/09/2020 with primary damage to the front end, secondary damage right front and airbags not reinstalled. Being an accident vehicle, the maximum sum insured value is N7,250,000.00 as against the sum insured of N15vmillion placed on the same,” the underwriter stated.
In another letter, Leadway Assurance said, “We refer to your mail of 17th September 2021 and letter dated 15th September 2021 respectively in which you rejected our offer of N3,769,941.56 given to you without prejudice.
“However, we have gone through all the receipts and invoices you attached to your letter under reference and it further indicates that you concealed material facts about the vehicle before insuring same with us. The implication of concealing material facts ab initio qualifies for repudiation of the claim as this makes the contract void.
“In view of the above, we have graciously allowed the claim by giving you an offer rather than an outright repudiation of the claim as such, we will not be able to improve on the settlement offer and urge you to execute the discharge voucher earlier sent to you to enable us to conclude action on the claim and mark our file closed. We look forward to receiving from you shortly.”
Adedapo Adesanya