Mr Mahoney then contacted NRMA Insurance and was supported through his claim process and advised on how to exit his agreement with the Claims Management Company.
rn
"Always ensure you have a claim number with your insurance company before you proceed with any commitments concerning the tow of your vehicle or a replacement vehicle. The safe bet is to ensure you go directly through insurance company's website and have confirmation of your claim number. The third-party broker cannot provide you this."
rn
Disaster Chasers
rn
Volatile summer weather often sees an increase in Disaster or Storm Chasers, with IAG reporting Disaster Chasers in Urunga, New South Wales and Southeast Queensland after a spate of spring thunderstorms.
rn
Mr McGrath said storm season creates opportunity for unscrupulous actors to exploit people most in need of support, and that knowing how to protect yourself is critical this storm season.
rn
"These fake operators will typically arrive uninvited at storm-damaged homes and use high-pressure sales tactics to secure agreements for low-cost, immediate repairs. They might claim to identify damage at your property, ask for payment up-front or even claim to be from your insurance company," Mr McGrath said.
rn
A legitimate insurer will never send an assessor or emergency repair team without notice and without first arranging with the customer after they've claimed.
rn
"A builder or tradesperson sent by your insurer will never ask for payment up front and always ask to check the credentials. Most importantly, call your insurer directly if you have any doubt or susceptions."
rn
While CMCs can be a legitimate tool for customers for support during their claims process, Louise Hayes, Coordinator of Disaster Recovery at Financial Counselling Australia says Australians can also access the free independent and trusted support available from financial counsellors through the National Help Debt Helpline.
rn
"If you are struggling with your insurance claim or think you need assistance negotiating with your insurer there is no need to pay a third party who may end up taking advantage of your situation and potentially making it worse and costing you money," Ms Hayes said.
rn
How to protect yourself from Disaster Chasers:
rn
- rn
- Surprise insurer visit: NRMA Insurance will never send an assessor or emergency-repairs team to your home without first arranging it with you after you have made a claim.
rn
rn
- rn
- Payment requests: A builder or tradesperson sent by your insurer will never ask you to provide payment to cover your excess, or any work done
rn
rn
- rn
- Failing to provide credentials: Always ask to check the credentials of any tradesperson who comes to your home on behalf of your insurer. Call your insurance company if you have any doubts or suspicions.
rn
rn
Definitions:
rn
- rn
- Claims Management Company (CMCs): offers insurance claims management services on behalf of customers for a fee.
rn
rn
- rn
- Credit Hire Companies (CHC): provide replacement vehicles to not-at-fault drivers involved in crashes and seek to recover costs from the at-fault driver or their insurer.
rn
rn
- rn
- Accident Management Companies (AMCs): traditionally offer an end-to-end service handling the claims of those who have been involved in an accident, they are not an insurer.
rn
rn
- rn
- Disaster Chasers: Individuals or businesses that visit communities after a severe weather event. They will often door-knock homes who might have been impacted, offering quick-fix clean ups and low-cost repairs, or pose as an insurance representative.
rn
rn"}}">
"They caught me at a vulnerable time while I was in shock after the accident, and I wasted my time providing personal information to a third party which I then had to repeat to my legitimate insurance provider. It took me a number of calls to the third-party provider to cancel all of the previous arrangements I had made to them."
Mr Mahoney then contacted NRMA Insurance and was supported through his claim process and advised on how to exit his agreement with the Claims Management Company.
"Always ensure you have a claim number with your insurance company before you proceed with any commitments concerning the tow of your vehicle or a replacement vehicle. The safe bet is to ensure you go directly through insurance company's website and have confirmation of your claim number. The third-party broker cannot provide you this."
Disaster Chasers
Volatile summer weather often sees an increase in Disaster or Storm Chasers, with IAG reporting Disaster Chasers in Urunga, New South Wales and Southeast Queensland after a spate of spring thunderstorms.
Mr McGrath said storm season creates opportunity for unscrupulous actors to exploit people most in need of support, and that knowing how to protect yourself is critical this storm season.
"These fake operators will typically arrive uninvited at storm-damaged homes and use high-pressure sales tactics to secure agreements for low-cost, immediate repairs. They might claim to identify damage at your property, ask for payment up-front or even claim to be from your insurance company," Mr McGrath said.
A legitimate insurer will never send an assessor or emergency repair team without notice and without first arranging with the customer after they've claimed.
"A builder or tradesperson sent by your insurer will never ask for payment up front and always ask to check the credentials. Most importantly, call your insurer directly if you have any doubt or susceptions."
While CMCs can be a legitimate tool for customers for support during their claims process, Louise Hayes, Coordinator of Disaster Recovery at Financial Counselling Australia says Australians can also access the free independent and trusted support available from financial counsellors through the National Help Debt Helpline.
"If you are struggling with your insurance claim or think you need assistance negotiating with your insurer there is no need to pay a third party who may end up taking advantage of your situation and potentially making it worse and costing you money," Ms Hayes said.
How to protect yourself from Disaster Chasers:
- Surprise insurer visit: NRMA Insurance will never send an assessor or emergency-repairs team to your home without first arranging it with you after you have made a claim.
- Payment requests: A builder or tradesperson sent by your insurer will never ask you to provide payment to cover your excess, or any work done
- Failing to provide credentials: Always ask to check the credentials of any tradesperson who comes to your home on behalf of your insurer. Call your insurance company if you have any doubts or suspicions.
Definitions:
- Claims Management Company (CMCs): offers insurance claims management services on behalf of customers for a fee.
- Credit Hire Companies (CHC): provide replacement vehicles to not-at-fault drivers involved in crashes and seek to recover costs from the at-fault driver or their insurer.
- Accident Management Companies (AMCs): traditionally offer an end-to-end service handling the claims of those who have been involved in an accident, they are not an insurer.
- Disaster Chasers: Individuals or businesses that visit communities after a severe weather event. They will often door-knock homes who might have been impacted, offering quick-fix clean ups and low-cost repairs, or pose as an insurance representative.
