Look for home repair red flags
Dodgy tradies are not always easy to spot, but there are home repair red flags that can help reduce the risk of being ripped off.
Dodgy tradies: Beware home repair scams
Has anyone knocked on the front door to say your roof needs urgent repairs? Perhaps you have paid a deposit to a tradie for work that was never done. Home repair scams are more common than you think – and they can be very costly.
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.
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.
Is there a time limit on car insurance claims in Australia?
How long would you expect to wait for your car to be assessed after an accident? A few days? A few weeks? Is there a time limit on car insurance claims in Australia?
Is there a time limit on insurance claims in Australia?
If we have a car accident or our home has been damaged, most of us will reach for the phone as soon as possible but is there a time limit on insurance claims in Australia?
What if you’re unable to make an insurance claim immediately? Will you miss out on a refund or replacement if you don’t lodge it by a certain time?
How long should an insurance claim take?
Few of us can afford to wait too long to have something repaired or replaced but how long should an insurance claim take after it’s been submitted?
How to drive a smoother insurance claim process
No one wants the pain and hassle of a car accident or a house fire to be compounded by a complicated insurance claim process.
Rent increases: Do tenants have any rights?
Your landlord has just hit you with another rent rise. But this one isn’t just incremental, in keeping with inflation or the cost of living. It’s a jump of several hundred dollars a week. How are you going to afford it?