
SureX Complaints Resolution Policy
1. Introduction and Objective
Surex is committed to a high service standard, rendering financial services with integrity, ensuring the speedy resolution of complaints, and continuously improving processes—even in cases where a complaint may be considered “invalid” under relevant policy wording. Every concern is valuable feedback and is addressed meaningfully.
The objective of this Complaints Resolution Policy is to formalize the process by which dissatisfaction is lodged, acknowledged, investigated, resolved, and leads to overall improvements.
All staff receive extensive training on this policy. The policy is easily accessible to all policyholders and is continuously reassessed by senior management to ensure improvements are actioned based on feedback received.
Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) and the Policyholder Protection Rules (PPR) form part of each employee’s annual performance evaluation and are considered prior to any salary increase or promotion.
Guiding material: TCF Outcomes, FSCA, and PPR.
2. Role of Surex and Guardrisk
Surex has been appointed as a Non-Mandated Intermediary by Guardrisk Life Limited.
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Surex responsibilities: Handling complaints relating to Surex’s own services, advice, and administration.
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Guardrisk responsibilities: Handling complaints related to the Insurer, policy terms, claims, regulatory matters, and legal issues. Surex will fully cooperate with Guardrisk in any matter that requires escalation.
All complaints lodged with the Ombudsman, FAIS, FSCA, or relating to Guardrisk policies/claims are to be handled exclusively by Guardrisk. Surex must forward all relevant documentation to Guardrisk within 24 hours of receipt.
No service fee is charged for registering a complaint.
3. Definition of a Complaint
A Complaint in terms of PPR is an expression of dissatisfaction to an insurer or, to the knowledge of the insurer, to the insurer’s service provider relating to a policy or service, which indicates that:
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The insurer or service provider has contravened an agreement, law, rule, or code of conduct;
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Maladministration, willful, or negligent action or omission has caused harm, prejudice, distress, or substantial inconvenience; or
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The person has been treated unfairly.
4. Definition of a Complainant
A Complainant is a person with a direct interest in the policy/service or someone acting on their behalf, including:
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Policyholder or premium payer
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Beneficiaries
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Policyholder’s spouse or registered dependents
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Potential policyholders with dissatisfaction relating to applications, marketing, or advice
5. Outcomes of a Complaint
5.1 Rejected
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Complaint is finalized after advising the complainant no further action will be taken.
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Formal repudiation letter sent.
Types of rejected complaints:
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Invalid: Complainant does not respond within 7 days.
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Unjustified: Complaint cannot be resolved; policyholder treated fairly; no further action possible.
5.2 Upheld
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Complaint is successful either wholly or partially.
Types of upheld complaints:
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Compensation Payment
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Contractually due: justified complaint; compensation owed.
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Not contractually due: no legal standing, but refund or other action taken due to FSP negligence.
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Goodwill Payment: No contractual obligation, but FSP addresses extraordinary circumstances.
6. Categories of Complaints
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Policy or service design
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Information provided to policyholders
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Advice provided
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Policy performance and servicing, including negligence
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Administration services (e.g., premium collection)
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Policy accessibility, changes, or switches
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Complaints handling (complaint about complaint)
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Insurance claims, including merit assessment disputes
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Other complaints
7. How to Lodge a Complaint
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Include all relevant information: staff involved, case/product details, supporting documents, relevant dates/times.
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Submit complaints via company contact details. Telephone complaints will be recorded in writing.
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You will receive an SMS confirming receipt, with the contact details of the assigned officer, who will call within 2 working days.
Surex Contact Details:
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Telephone: 010 822 2686
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Email: Melissa@surex.insure
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Address: 14th Avenue, Constantia Office Park, Weltevredenpark, Roodepoort
8. Internal Complaints Handling Process
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Officer introduces themselves and asks preferred outcome.
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Respond to questions and request your preferred follow-up method and time.
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Feedback expected within 7 days (or 3 days if urgent).
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Investigations commence immediately; updates diarized every 7/3 days, then every 14 days if unresolved.
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You may escalate internally if dissatisfied.
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If rejected, you will receive reference numbers and Ombud/Regulatory contact details.
9. Complaints Escalation and Review Process
If dissatisfied with outcome:
Insurer Contact (Guardrisk):
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Tel: 0860 333 361
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Email: complaints@guardrisk.co.za
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Address: The MARC, Tower 2, 129 Rivonia Road, Sandton, 2196
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Postal: PO Box 786015, Sandton, 2146
Ombudsman Contacts:
Claims/Service Related (NFOS):
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Tel: 0860 800 7708
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Email: info@nfosa.co.za
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Website: www.nfosa.co.za
Product/Advice Related (FAIS):
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Tel: 012 762 5000 | Share call: 0860 663 274
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Email: info@faisombud.co.za
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Postal: Private Bag 41, Menlyn Park, 7735
Market Conduct (FSCA):
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Tel: 012 428 8000
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Email: info@fsca.co.za
Personal Information (POPIA):
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Tel: 012 023 5200
10. Record Keeping & Reporting
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Record all reportable complaints: details, evidence, correspondence, categorization, progress, TAT adherence.
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Maintain ongoing data on received, upheld, rejected, escalated complaints, and Ombud outcomes.
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Record all compensation and goodwill payments.
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Ensure complaints are used to monitor conduct risk and improve policyholder outcomes.
Exclusions – The following is not covered under the policy
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General Exclusions (these Exclusions do not apply to the Immediate Death Benefit)
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Any act or activity aimed at overthrowing or influencing any public or tribal authority with force, warlike activity or means of fear to bring about any civil commotion, public disorder, riots or public disobedience.
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a Claim Event caused by riots, strikes, lockouts or a concerted class labour action or disturbance.
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A subsequent Claim Event relating to or arising from the same set of circumstance or cause of action.
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Any cause of action that arose before the Commencement Date.
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Any Claim Event arising from a Pre-existing Medical Condition.
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The Insured’s active participation in the commission of a criminal activity that results in a Claim Event.
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The driving of any vehicle where the concentration of alcohol in the Insured’s blood exceeds the statutory limit then in force, or whilst the Insured is under the influence (above the statutory limit) of alcohol, or whilst the Insured is under the influence of a drug having a narcotic effect unless prescribed by a duly qualified and registered Medical Practitioner (provided that such drug was taken in a dose no higher than that prescribed or intentional inhalation of fumes.
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The Insured participating in a Hazardous Sport/Activity.
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Suicide, attempted suicide or self-inflicted injury or death of the Insured within the first 12 (twelve) months from the Commencement Date, or the date the Policy was re-instated or re-issued if re-instated or re-issued after 2 months from the initial date of lapse or cancellation.
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Specific Exclusions (these Exclusions only apply to the Immediate Death Benefit)
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Any act or activity aimed at overthrowing or influencing any public or tribal authority with force, warlike activity or means of fear to bring about any civil commotion, public disorder, riots or public disobedience.
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The Insured’s active participation in the commission of a criminal activity that results in a Claim Event.
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Suicide in the first 12 (twelve) months from the Commencement Date.
THE FOLLOWING GENERAL CONDITIONS APPLY
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Your Application for the Policy is the basis of this Policy and forms part of the Policy.
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The Policy contract, Policy Schedule and amendments thereto make up the whole agreement between the Policy Owner and Insurer.
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The Policy cannot be varied, changed or altered by anyone other than the Insurer or the Administrator by a 31 (thirty-one) Day written notice to the Policy Owner.
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You must inform Us immediately in writing if any fact or circumstance that arises whilst the Policy is valid which increases the Insurer’s risk. If You fail to notify us it may result in a Repudiation of any Claim that You have submitted for Policy benefits.
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We may notify You of any Variation to the cover, conditions, Exclusions, rules or benefits of the Policy by way of a 31 (thirty-one) Day notice by mail delivered by post, short message service (SMS) or electronic mail. You acknowledge that the preferred means of notice to You will be by short message service (SMS) to the mobile telephone number You communicated to Us and recorded in the Insurer’s records. Any notice sent to You by short message service (SMS) will be regarded as received by You.
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It is Your duty to notify Us of any change in Your contact details.
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A Policy Owner must be at least 18 (eighteen) years of age and younger than 60 (sixty) years
Terms and conditions apply. For the full policy terms and conditions, including key limitations, exclusions, risks and charges, please contact our team at info@surex.insure