Case Studies

The following case summaries highlight common issues and consumer tips. Cases can be filtered by subject below and names have been changed to protect confidentiality. Access to the full case study database is available for IFSO Scheme Participants in the Participant Area.

$4,000 vacuum debt written off

Lenders must ask for information about the borrower’s ability to repay the loan under the CCCFA

Mrs B entered into a loan agreement to buy a $4,000 vacuum cleaner, sold to her by a door-to-door salesperson.
Loans & Credit Lending affordability credit

See the case summary

Overseas treatment – no specialist letter, no cover

If you’re making a claim for overseas treatment, contact your insurer well in advance.

The day before Ms B took her daughter to Australia for thyroid treatment, she phoned her health insurer to check the cover.
Health Insurance

See the case summary

Excluding tonsils, not adenoids

Provide medical details for everyone under the policy.

Dougal's insurer declined to pay for his daughter Sally’s adenotonsillectomy, because she'd had enlarged tonsils.
Health Insurance

See the case summary

Weight loss surgery excluded

Check your policy for exclusions.

Penny’s insurer declined to pay for weight loss surgery (a sleeve gastrectomy), recommended by her doctor.
Health Insurance

See the case summary

Tooth extraction excluded from cover

Check your policy for exclusions.

Fiona's claim, for the surgical removal of her son’s tooth, was declined. The policy only covered wisdom tooth extraction.
Health Insurance

See the case summary

Roger’s trip ends in tragedy, waiver applies

Pre-existing condition exclusions also apply to family members who aren’t travelling. Sometimes a waiver can apply, if there is proof the condition is stable

Just before he left on holiday, Vinnie's father died. Vinnie postponed his trip and made a claim.
Travel Insurance

See the case summary

Mr M’s trip to NZ ends in tragedy

Pre-existing condition exclusions apply even if indirectly related.

Mr M’s heart attack was indirectly related to his hypertension and diabetes. His son’s claim for the...
Travel Insurance

See the case summary

No cover for anxiety, loss of enjoyment

If a pre-existing condition is the cause of cancellation, the exclusion applies to all policy holders.

Louise’s daughter's anxiety prevented her from leaving the hotel, or participating in any activities, during their holiday.
Travel Insurance

See the case summary

Storm in a tea shop, the unattainable police report

A police report is required to prove your loss. Some policies contain an exception when this not reasonably practicable.

When making a claim for his backpack, Ari had no police report. He had, however, tried to get one.
Travel Insurance

See the case summary

Pania lost her ring in the sea, fake photos didn’t help

Report stolen or lost items to police immediately. To make a claim, you need to prove your loss and always tell the truth

Pania’s claim for her ring and iPhone was declined. She had no proof of loss.
Travel Insurance

See the case summary

The great train station robbery

Check your policy exclusions. Don’t ever leave your bags unattended in public places

Raj's bag, worth $13,000, was stolen at Zurich train station when he walked briefly to the rubbish bin.
Travel Insurance

See the case summary

The missing bag and the rotting meat

Check your policy exclusions. Don’t pack perishables in your checked luggage

When Amelia arrived in the States, her bag didn't. She returned to NZ to discover the bag was ruined, from rotting meat.
Travel Insurance

See the case summary