Car deposits: What are my refund rights?
No one wants to see their car deposit go down the gurgler. But if you change your mind or find a better deal before the sale goes through, do you have the right to a refund?
Getting your money back: Are deposits refundable?
Down payments help secure everything from a table at a restaurant to a dream home, but what if circumstances change? Are deposits refundable?
Secondhand blues: Understanding car warranties
Before you pay for a used car, it’s important you take steps to protect yourself from avoidable issues.
Used cars: How to avoid a lemon
It's understandable you might be feeling a bit nervous about buying a used car – no one wants to end up with a lemon, facing costly repairs and the inconvenience of being without a vehicle.
Have you had your home insurance claim rejected?
No homeowner wants to receive a letter or email with the subject line ‘home insurance claim rejected’.
But it is a very common experience, judging by the number of complaints to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). Chief Ombudsman David Locke said complaints about general insurance, including home and car insurance, were at a record high for the second year running in 2023-2024.
Secure the right home insurance claim help
Has your home been damaged in a storm or fire? Perhaps someone has broken in and stolen jewellery and other valuable items? You need to know where to get the best home insurance claim help.
The logical place to start, of course, is with your insurer. But before you ring them, dig out your insurance policy and check your product disclosure statement (PDS) and the policy schedule (PS). This should detail exactly what you are covered for and will help prepare you for any questions the insurer might ask.
How to make a complaint against a car insurance company
Is your insurance claim taking a long time to be reviewed? Perhaps it has been rejected? You will want to know how to make a complaint against a car insurance company. Before you do so, however, double check that you have
Has your card surcharge been supercharged?
We are so used to paying for everything by debit or credit card these days, many of us barely give any thought to the little extra that is often tacked onto the purchase price. But you should take a closer look to avoid being needlessly stung by card surcharges.
Pay wise: How to keep card surcharges down
You might have heard that the Australian Government is preparing to ban debit card surcharges – those pesky percentages added to seemingly every electronic transaction.
Don’t get too excited. While the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is reviewing card surcharges – which cost Australians anywhere between $1 billion and $4 billion a year – any change would not come into effect until 2026.
Rising toll: Latest builders to go bust
A group of construction companies all registered to the same address in NSW is among the latest builders to go bust, with the industry still battling the effects of inflation, rising costs and trade shortages.
The liquidator said the collapse of Adroit Constructions, Maximus Builders, Maxim Builders and Maxus Builders put 25 projects at risk.