Ceiling Damage Home Insurance Claim Advice

PLA74 on 19/01/2021 - 18:04

Hello,

I have Home & Contents insurance with Allianz (2 storey house built around 2011 by Metricon - I am second owner). With the recent storms, the upstairs outdoor balcony (around 28 square meters in size) ceiling (plasterboard type of material) collapsed onto the floor. I lodged an insurance claim which they (Insurance company) rejected blaming it on a building defect (assessor came around a while back to conduct physical inspection).

This is my first time going through something like this, so wanted to hear from the OzB community on what their thoughts are.

Thank you, hoping I can get a good outcome!

General Discussion

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 19/01/2021 - 18:07

    Not want you want to hear but this is why I stick with NRMA, never have a issue with claims, over $120k house and cars, just had a windscreen claim today.

  • BOGOF on 19/01/2021 - 18:09

    Just out of interest, who was the assessor? Allianz themselves or a third party assessor?

    • PLA74 on 19/01/2021 - 18:13

      Third party assessor (Build Sure) - https://www.buildsureaustralia.com.au/.

      Same assessor came around next day after I lodged my claim to clean up the rubbish to make the property 'safe'.

      • 87percent on 19/01/2021 - 18:29
        +3

        These guys are morons. Fire at my investment property, and they came out to inspect the damages. First thing he says to me is “was there a fire?”

        No, the charred fence wasn’t a giveaway?

        • PLA74 on 19/01/2021 - 18:34

          Ah ok. Is there a way to have another assessor look at the problem or just these morons?

          • petry on 19/01/2021 - 18:48
            -1

            @PLA74: the assessor is paid by the insurer, they find fault with you the company that pays them saves money. That's how Australian insurer's work.

            The moment their paid agents have to attend its all uphill. Corrupt country, corrupt services.

            Its not rocket science.

            no assessor writes down what you say, just whatever suits them.

  • morse on 19/01/2021 - 18:22

    We’ve had ceiling damage twice after heavy rain. It’s an older house circa 80s. The first time they repaired it no question and couldn’t find a fault with the roof, even though it always leaked in the same spot and we told them that. The second time they fixed the ceiling conditional on us getting a roof repair at our own expense, which we’ve done. It helped the second time that even though the roof was faulty it had been assessed by their assessor as fine previously. They said as we weren’t aware of the fault they were happy to pay for the repair, they also paid for our lounge that got wet to be replaced.

  • ihbh on 19/01/2021 - 18:49

    hoping I can get a good outcome

    You got an outcome, just not a good one.

    How do you think the storms caused the ceiling to collapse?

    • PLA74 on 19/01/2021 - 21:27

      Excessive wind and water. It even moved the outdoor furniture around

  • Ocker on 19/01/2021 - 18:51
    +1

    Firstly, the assessor works in the interest of the insurance company- not you. After all they are paying his bill.
    Secondly, the assessment of "building defect" would be subjective and so I would definitely get a second opinion by a builder surveyor of my choosing. Will cost you a couple of hundred but could well be worthwhile.
    If your assessor says it was storm related, then I would put the case again to the insurer and if they will not budge then tell them you are going to refer the claim to the ombudsman.

  • Drakesy on 19/01/2021 - 19:02

    I guess the question would be, do the trade and material costs outweigh the increased premiums from claiming for the next 5-10 years?

  • brad1-8tsi on 19/01/2021 - 20:10

    Did the ceiling collapse due to water damage from a leaking roof or due to wind getting into the roof void?

    What happened when you contacted Metricon about their building warranty?

    • PLA74 on 19/01/2021 - 21:26

      Metricon building warranty is over (I contacted them first and they even sent some staff around to inspect).

      I think wind getting into roof void but underneath of plasterboard was wet also.

  • CheapSticks on 19/01/2021 - 22:23

    I was told Allianz is the best for landlord insurance !!! I am having second thoughts now !

    • petry on 21/01/2021 - 13:17

      insurance like most things is largely based on honesty - assessors are paid by the insurance company - the more dishonest insurers get so do their employees the assessors.

      without proper regulation the system breaks down, and that is what occurring since the federal government has become more or less entirely corrupt.

      Australia has over the last decade gone into massive decline and since it is now joined to America can only further decline at an exponential rate. Trump demonstrated how shitty America has become but instead of rejecting it we signed up to LIFE (& DEATH) membership.

  • Stewardo on 19/01/2021 - 23:00

    If it’s plasterboard outside, I’d agree with the assessor, building defect.

    • brad1-8tsi on 20/01/2021 - 19:31

      I assume villaboard would be correct?

      • Stewardo on 20/01/2021 - 19:52

        Villaboard would be a satisfactory entry level option.

  • PLA74 on 13/03/2021 - 09:43
    +2

    UPDATE:disputed the initial insurance response/lodged complaint against it. They sent another assessor who checked it out correctly and deemed it to be storm damage. Insurance claim passed and now repaired!

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