Consumer Information

Overseas travel insureance

Insurance situation arising from travel
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Buying insurance

Cover your property losses
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Guidelines for resolving disputes

This is how member companies resolve disputes.
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Commercial insurance

Insure against businessesdisruption
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Motor insurance

Motor vehicle insurance can cover you against accidental loss or damage to your vehicle,
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Personal insurance

The types of cover available under personal insurance
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Marine insurance

Cover for commercial vessels and personal pleasurecraft
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Insurance fraud

An insurance claim is considered fraudulent when it is based on facts that are simply untrue
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What items are "accessories" in a motor vehicle policy?

Accessories are any minor attachments designed for use in a motor vehicle but which the vehicle will still operate without. These may include (but is not limited to) radios, CD player, child car seat, tow bar, and roof rack.

When could my insurance company use drivers' licensing exclusions?

When it is proven that driving outside your license conditions contributed to your accident.

If someone hits my car and they are not insured, who pays?

Most companies have a benefit which means that people with insurance are automatically covered in accidents caused by uninsured people.
Talk to your insurer.

My car was written off in an accident and my insurance company insists my car be deregistered. Should the refund of the cancelled registration go to the insurance company or to me?

If your insurance company insists that your vehicle registration be cancelled, it is because they are complying with strict regulations. Any registration refund goes to your insurance company if they took over the damaged vehicle as part of the claims settlement.

My insurer is going to pay out a total loss for my vehicle that was recently written off in an accident, but my insurer has first asked me to pay the outstanding premium instalments corresponding to the period left on the policy. Should I have to pay this?

Generally when your vehicle is written off by your insurer, and the value of the vehicle is paid to you, your policy has effectively done its job in protecting you financially. The policy then expires, as there is no longer a vehicle to insure. Normally pro rata premium refunds are not given for the period of the policy that hasn't expired as the policy is responding to a total loss situation. If you paid monthly, then your Insurer may adjust your claims payout for any instalment premiums that would be outstanding to the natural expiry of the policy.

It is important to note that insurance practices do vary when it comes to instalment premiums following written off vehicles. The Insurance Council recommends that consumers read their policies.

Occasional Business Use - I work for a 'not for profit' community organisation involved with caregiving, and occasionally need to use my vehicle for visiting and transporting people in the community. Can I assume I am fully covered under my Private Motor Vehicle Policy?

Some Private Vehicle Motor Insurance Policies do provide automatic cover for occasional business use, but generally so long as there's no fare paying passengers, or goods delivery. But, please be aware that this is not the case for all policies.

The Insurance Council strongly recommends that you ask your insurer if there is cover for occasional business use, and if there's not, talk to your insurer about getting the policy extended to provide occasional business use cover.

Additional insurance premium could apply.

 

 

 

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