FEATURE 21 merchants or wholesalers or on a one-to-one basis . The plumber installs the new geyser and removes the old one .
The customer has no use for an old tank and valves , the insurance company states it has no use for the old tank or the plumber must dispose of it and that is where the gap is . Earlier we noted that professional plumbers keep them until collected or delivered for destruction .
The rest constitute the gap and responsibility to all intents and purposes now lies with the plumber .
Should this be the case and why ? Personally , there is no case , as responsibility rests with the insurance industry to complete the circle of satisfying the needs of the customer which must include disposal of goods . Insurance claims clearly state once the claim is made the old , damaged or destroyed goods become the property of the insurance company .
So , to push responsibility onto the plumber is unacceptable when the standards ( T & C ) set by the insurance companies are clear .
Plumbing Africa Rory Macnamara
The gap that needs closing .
If this is accepted , then the Insurance company can ask the plumber to ensure it is destroyed and supply them with a destruction certificate . For this part of the work a suitable fee must be made which includes fuel , etc .
Credit to the SA Insurance Association ( SAIA ) prompted by Plumbing Africa who will have a discussion around the suggestion or even offer other solutions to close the gap , which is what needs to be done . We will follow up with this once SAIA has had their meeting . PA
February 2023 Volume 28 I Number 12 www . plumbingafrica . co . za