Can I Change Insurers during an Open Claim

MeesusEff on 16/02/2024 - 15:54
Last edited 16/02/2024 - 16:32

Edit : alright I guess I'm staying, gotta talk to them and see if they are willing to bring it down a little instead of the 'renewal prices' , although having a claim probably doesnt help hmmmm

Had a busted pipe in the kitchen and the person who came to dry it today said all the walls of the kitchen cabinet were wet, so looks like theres a big job ahead of us to replace the cabinets. As we all hear the horror stories of insurance finding ways to deny the claim, not sure what they'd come back with as I've never done one before.

However, my home insurance is expiring next month, renewal is of course hundreds more than what I paid last year, so I generally get new quotes and stay/change. Will it affect anything if I change insurers next month during an open claim? Obviously dont want to ask them as I dont want them to cross me off a list!

Also, if they need to rip out the cupboards to replace, does the insurance cover for a new oven? I dont think the oven is damaged from the event but maybe from removing I dunno! I dont mind purchasing a new oven but its a lot easier to get the builders to fit it in when they redo the cabinets as it looks inbuilt.

Home & Garden Insurance

Comments

  • Dollar General on 16/02/2024 - 15:57
    +1

    Just keep the insurance going til repairs are done then shop around and cancel current provider if you find cheaper

    • MeesusEff on 16/02/2024 - 16:01

      I'm not sure how long it'd take, as the guy said theres so much backlog at the moment. If it takes months then I wont be able to get any cooling off period back

      • Ash-Say on 16/02/2024 - 16:15
        +3

        Dont cancel until repair is sorted even if it takes months

  • Hellfire on 16/02/2024 - 16:00
    +3

    Yes you can change and it wont impact anything.

    • MeesusEff on 16/02/2024 - 16:01

      Thank you! I did try to do a search and Reddit said that the claims person cant see anything else apart from if your policy was active at the time. Wasn't sure if it applied to Australia too

  • coffeeinmyveins on 16/02/2024 - 16:04

    Mate these are questions to ask your insurer

    Also be aware that if anything comes up in the future related to this it might be a pre existing thing not covered on your new policy.

    Saving a few hundred now may cost you thousands later.

    Don't do the ozbargain mistake and be cheap.

    • MeesusEff on 16/02/2024 - 16:08

      Well, i dont want to impact my claim by asking 'hey so is it ok if i switch during a claim' because they'll obviously try to keep me. Im not necessarily changing insurers, but just changing policy. I was with them last year too but instead of renewing I started a new policy. I mean, im not a lawyer but if it was pre-existing prior to new policy but caused by improper fixing during a claim, doesnt it fall back to the original policy/claim to rectify it?

  • spackbace on 16/02/2024 - 16:08
    +4

    Would you really want to run the risk of the repairs not being paid out just because someone on an anonymous forum told you to change insurers…?

    • MeesusEff on 16/02/2024 - 16:09

      I dont necessarily change providers, I just sign up for a new policy instead of going with the renewal. Isnt that the Ozbargain way?

      Edit : I mean, I can stay with the same one for the sake of this claim, but as a new policy?

      • spackbace on 16/02/2024 - 16:11
        +1

        Isnt that the Ozbargain way?

        Saving money is, but risking the potential of having to spend thousands in repairs wouldn't be classified as saving money…

        Read your PDS, simples

  • MITM on 16/02/2024 - 16:53
    +2

    Renew with current and when repairs are over look around for a cheaper deal and move - you'll get a pro-rata refund from the current insurer. But think about what your getting FROM the insurer in comparison to what the insurer is getting from you - a new kitchen worth thousands. Treat yourself to a new oven to match.

    • MeesusEff on 16/02/2024 - 16:59

      haha yeah, i really shouldnt have been cheap and opted for the $2000 excess. But oh well. Ill wait for the builder to come and see if they're going to change that side of the kitchen as the oven side was only slightly affected. But if they want more money (from insurance not me) then they should do everything haha.

      Then again its not approved… yet! I don't want to be one of those horror stories where my claim gets rejected because 'oh hey it was a leak you should have been made aware of' - not unless i can bloody look through walls i cant.

  • PissLUR on 16/02/2024 - 17:15

    seems like you are from WA, is this related to the iplex pipe?

    • MeesusEff on 16/02/2024 - 17:51

      Copper pipe. The dryer guy did say something about a class action for some pipe but my house was built in 2000.

  • AngoraFish on 16/02/2024 - 19:14

    You absolutely can change insurers. The only thing that matters is who you were insured with at the time of the incident.

    Just make sure you get the claims paperwork in ASAP as you may lose access to the claims portal if you don't renew.

    • MeesusEff on 16/02/2024 - 19:33

      I do have multiple other policies with them, I didn't realise it until I downloaded the app so I might still be able to access. But I'm too scared to change BEFORE they approve the claim bc they might be like eff this disloyal customer or something 😂

  • AndyC1 on 16/02/2024 - 21:14

    Yes you can.

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