Media Releases

Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman, Karen Stevens, says if your home has been affected by flooding, contact your insurance company as soon as you can, and take photos of the damage before you throw things away.

Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Karen Stevens is reminding all long weekend travellers to check their cars before hitting the road.

Traumatic events won’t all be covered by trauma insurance. Read your policy and understand what you will and won’t be covered for before you sign up.

As wild weather and flood warnings continue, residents affected by weather damage or flooding are urged to contact their insurance company and document the damage before you clean up.

Read and understand now to avoid problems later, says Karen Stevens, Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman.

“There’s no such thing as a ‘bit of a lie’ when it comes to insurance,” says Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman, Karen Stevens. “This includes, for example, telling your insurer you had a bigger, better, newer TV, phone or laptop. Don’t do it. It’s not worth it.”

Complaints to the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme are the highest they have been in nearly 20 years, but this is not all bad news.

Complaints about financial advisers highlight the risks of completing applications on behalf of clients and the need to keep good notes.

Thousands of flights have been cancelled and Denpasar international airport is closed due to the eruption of Bali's Mount Agung. We encourage travellers to contact their airline and their insurer before taking any steps to change their travel.

Unexpected disasters can interfere with travel plans, and that is what travel insurance is for – to cover you for the unexpected, says IFSO, Karen Stevens.