Insurance Company Taking Too Long to Fix and Repair

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  altomic on 08/04/2018 - 16:57

  +7

  Ombudsman

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  vinni9284 on 08/04/2018 - 17:05

  +3

  Normally an insurance company has a complaints/resolution section/dept so I would touch bases with them.
  If no progression over a few days, threaten them with escalating to the Ombudsman.
  If still no progression/reassurance then like @altomic stated above, straight to the Insurance Ombudsman.
  Allow maybe a few days for the Insurance to act otherwise don't waste time.

  I reckon the Insurance is collating all information first to see if they can wriggle out of paying.

  "Is there time frame that stuff needs to be replaced and fixed" ….. well you shouldn't wait for two months with no progress!! You need to see at least something happening to repair … When the premium is due, they want it by a due date .. but then to pay .. LOL good luck

  Do you mind stating what Insurance Company it is?

  Cheers

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  [Deactivated] on 08/04/2018 - 17:16

  My question is; Is there time frame that stuff needs to be replaced and fixed.

  6-12 months

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  shrek4 on 08/04/2018 - 19:27

  I’d be insisting they either replace the bed immediately or consider alternative accommodation options for you.
  Whilst I can understand delays in having building damage assessed, contents should be very straight forward. This is of course assuming you have house and contents insurance.

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  thatonethere on 08/04/2018 - 19:53

  Just ring them again and ask for a timeline in writing. When they fail ring back and escalate.

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  87percent on 08/04/2018 - 20:03

  Complain to them first and then if you're not getting any traction, then ombudsman

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  CheapSticks on 08/04/2018 - 21:15

  which company is it? can u pls PM

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  oscargamer on 08/04/2018 - 21:23

  If it involves trades people, then it can take time. If it's just replacing items, then it should be days.

  Grow some. Make some noise and get some action.

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  Randxyz123 on 08/04/2018 - 22:17

  How is the insurance company doing the replacement? Is it you buy the same or equivalent bed frame and they reimburse you for up to $x ? Or do you choose it and then the insurance company does a purchase order on your behalf?

  I'd call them tomorrow, ask to speak with the person who is handling your case's manager. Tell them that you want the bed sorted out by the end of the week as it is uncomfortable and you are worried about hurting yourself.

  If you have no luck submit a formal complaint and go to the ombudsman.

  Give the company a chance to sort it out first though. Maybe you'll get someone on the phone who isn't useless and knows what they are talking about and can approve it.

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  D3NI3D on 09/04/2018 - 18:18

  +1

  Update - I rang early in the morning to both handler and insurer, explaining how ridiculous it was waiting this long. I named dropped "The Ombudsman" then 2 hours later I received that the handler has completed the proposal and waiting for my reply to commence payment by the insurer.

  Thanks for all the advice.

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  tunzafun001 on 09/04/2018 - 19:26

  Hi. I was about to write a post for a similar situation, except I'm 10 months down the track, and still going no where.

  In my case a water pipe has breached behind a tiled bathroom wall. However, the extent of the damage can't be ascertained until the wall is exposed. Now here's the kicker, insurance wont do anything until the pipe is in clear site, and any damage done to expose the pipe they wont cover. So if I do demo the wall I need to pay for all damage (regardless if it's riddled with water damage), and if I don't demo the wall they wont pay anyway.

  So I got 3 trades (straight out the paper) to give quotes (who removed an external brick) and all pretty much came back with very similar reports/ quote. A Breached pipe, timber frame damage, blue board damage, water proofing damage and obviously a breached pipe. All up about an $9k repair.

  However, SGIC have sent out their own independent plumbers who amazingly gave exactly the same quote to the dollar citing 80% damage due to a breached pipe and 20% due to incorrect water proofing. SGIC rang and offered me a payout figure of 80% of 1.5k minus a $500 excess..As the person who gave the quote, can't actually do the repair.

  It gets better. One of the plumbers I commissioned asked for the SGIC blokes licence number. They weren't licensed. But SGIC called back ensuring they were licensed. So I said ok, what's their license number. "We don't know, but they are licensed".

  So I went back to the PDS and saw it said "your chosen repairer". I gave my guy all my quote details and called SGIC and said they can act on my behalf, just get it done (It's been 10 months). Got a call from my plumber the other day who said we are back to square one. They wont pay until the pipe is exposed, not excepting the removed brick from the external wall.

  Happy to take any advice. I couldn't find an Insurance Ombudsman link (SA)? Seems to be an Ombudsman for everything else.

  *EDIT - Looks like the FOS.