Ayesha Gardee, head of business development for Uber Sub Saharan Africa, Evodia Phahlane, chief operating officer of FNB Insure, and Jerusha Raath, general manager: English media at Media24.

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FNB won the News24 Long-Term Insurer of the Year award at a gala event in Cape Town on Thursday evening.

Companies were assessed using a unique set of criteria, including a survey of more than 13 000 News24 readers on their experiences with their life insurance, disability and critical illness providers.

The News24 team also evaluated transparency, responsiveness and communication, and considered complaints data from the National Financial Ombud. The final rankings were audited by an actuarial consultant.

FNB was praised for its innovation and proactive claims management, including scanning Department of Home Affairs records to identify deceased policyholders and initiating claims with their families.

It also received high marks for cost-effective coverage, with News24’s assessment highlighting the clarity of its benefits and optional add-ons. Team members further commended its strong media communication.

In our reader survey, clients gave it high scores for both its client service and premiums.

On Thursday, Evodia Phahlane, chief operating officer of FNB Insure, said although this was their first reward, they will come back “for more, and more, and more”. She thanked customers: “Your voices and your experiences, your families, and your beneficiaries matter the most to us.”

She thanked the FNB staff for helping customers. “We truly are honoured.”

The awards function was sponsored by Uber.