It is said that Leopards don't change their spots ! An insurance company is refusing claims over the recent heavy rain that deluged Coffs Harbour, and - surprise - surprise - it is the same insurance company that reneged on claims from the 1998 rainstorm that hit Wollongong.
At that time three standouts left policy holders without cover by claiming a " rain storm " as a " flood ", despite the rest of the insurance industry meeting these claims.
It is time the government passed legislation to clearup these anomalies. At present the only form of redress is court action by the policy holder, and that can be expensive and time protracted.
The simple solution would be for the government to appoint an insurance ombudsman to make decisions on these type of issues. At the same time, it would be a good idea to legislate to insist that every insurance company include with their policy document a simple checklist of what is covered.
The vast majority of insurance companies are both fair and honest, but inevitably there are shonky operators and a pressing need to drag them kicking and screaming into the light of day.
And that is why we have an elected government with the responsibility to " keep the bastards honest ! "
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