AUS LEGAL 14 RE RACQ UPDATE
From: "abh" (abhall98@no-spam)
Subject: Re: RACQ Update
Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2003 16:18:04 +1000


"Peter" <uce_from_usenet@no-spam> wrote in message news:250620031200139594%uce_from_usenet@no-spam > In article <3ef8dd23_1@no-spam>, abh <abhall98@no-spam>
> wrote:
>
> > I have a claim with RACQ which they have refused to pay on the basis that I > > "did not substantiate my claim". which appears to be a nice way of saying > > that the think I have committed fraud. My next step before going to court is > > to lodge a claims with Insurance Enquiries and Complaints Ltd which is set > > up to handle these complaints.
> > Has anyone had dealings with these people and what do they think?
>
> I've worked for an insurer so I can tell you generally how insurance > companies work.
>
> > The basic facts of the case are > > 1) We went on holiday over Christamas to WA and when we returned we found > > the place had been burgled > Not unusual >
> >
> > 3) RACQ asked us to prove ownership by receipts, manuals etc which we > > produced for their inspector who removed the items without our permission >
> This is standard proceedure. I always recommended to clients to take > photos of everything in the house. Oddly enough though if someone takes > your DVD player, they usually don't grab the manual.
>
We had the manuals which they accepted as proof, unfortunately as they removed the manuals ( without out permission) we no longer have the proof > > 4) RACQ then asked for further proof of ownership which we provided >
> Odd.
>
> > 5) RACQ then asked for further proof of items they had previously accepted > > proof for. When told they had supplied the item as the resut of a previous > > claim the assessor became quite rude and demande that we need to attend a > > second interview >
> This sounds like the assessor is being an asshole. If the proof is with > their contractor they should immediately contact them.

They did so and finally accepted this
> > 9) When we finally did attend the interview we were told that the interview > > had been cancelled and the claim rejected.
>
> That doesn't sound fair. The problem too is no other insure will want > to touch you. What was the reason they gave you for rejecting the > claim.

The reason was we had "failed to substantiate our claim" no other reason or explaination was given > > We then lodged a complaint withe their Internal disputes resolution comittee > > (who works for the person we were complaining about) and suprise,
suprise > > our claim was rejected for a second time >
> This isn't unusual, but it's a start and the right direction to going > to the tribunal.
>
It is the cheapest option
> > I am also looking for someone to proof read our submission to them and give > > me some feedback >
> go get a copy of the General Insurance Code of Practice. This will tell > you everything they are required to do whilst processsing a claim.
thanks, wil do