Insurance Council of Australia

Insurance Council of Australia

  • About us
    • Our Role
    • Our Board & Executive Team
    • Contact us
    • Disclaimer
    • Privacy policy
    • Complaints & concerns
  • Consumers
    • Help in disasters
    • Report fraud
    • Impact of COVID
    • Calculators
    • Insurance explained
    • Find an Insurer
    • My claims history
  • Issues in focus
        • Economy

          • Affordability
          • BI Test cases
          • Cyber risk
        • Climate change

          • Climate action
          • Mitigation
          • Built environment
        • Community

          • Vulnerabilty & hardship
          • Indigenous Australians
          • A resilient Australia
        • Transparency

          • Royal Commission
          • General Insurance
            Code of Practice
  • Code of Practice
    • Code of Practice
    • Code of Practice FAQs
    • Past codes
    • Code Subscribers
  • Industry & members
    • Members & Member brands
    • Data hub
    • Report fraud
    • Submissions
    • Insurance reference services
    • COVID-19 State based exemption
  • News hub
    • News & resources
    • Events
    • Current catastrophes

Fraud

Look out, disaster chasers about

May 14, 2021 by TheoTheoICA

Excess payments via SMS

We are not aware of any insurers who seek excess payment via SMS.

If you're ever in doubt about a payment request via text, email or phone, contact your insurer directly.

Home Fraud

Look out, disaster chasers about

image

‘Disaster chasers’ typically present themselves in a disaster impacted area shortly after an event occurs but can also appear months later. They may door knock neighbourhoods, claiming to have identified damage at your property, or in some very bold cases they may claim that they are here at the behest of your insurance company. 

Disaster chasers might do the following:

  • Claim to be able to identify damage to your property that you were unaware of, sometimes by way of a free inspection
  • Ask for money up front
  • Promise to get the repairs done in a short amount of time
  • Promise to get the repairs done for an amount that is far below legitimate competitors’ bids
  • Not have insurance or necessary licenses
  • Ask you to sign a contract, on the spot
  • Claim that they will be able to get your insurer to pay more for an insurance claim than you could manage yourself

Top tips for identifying or dealing with a disaster chaser

  • Insurers will not send a tradesperson or builder to your home without notifying you and providing you with details. 
  • Speak to your insurer before agreeing to any repairs or rebuilding work to make sure your insurer will cover it.
  • If in doubt, ask for identification such as a builder’s licence or driver’s licence, and ring your insurer to check.
  • Don't sign contracts with a disaster chaser if they door knock.
  • If you have signed a contract, there is a cooling -off period, your insurer can help you end the relationship with the disaster chaser.

If in doubt, report any suspicious activity to government authorities or police.

Look out, disaster chasers about

Useful links

Help in a disaster
icon Fact Sheet: Disaster Chasers
icon www.moneysmart.gov.au
The voice for a resilient Australia

We are the representative body of the general insurance industry in Australia, shaping positive outcomes for our members, our people and the community.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get in touch

We do not offer direct consumer advice or services but we want to help you find what you're looking for in our contact directory.
Contact us

General Insurance Code of Practice

The General Insurance Code of Practice sets out the standards that general insurers must meet when providing services to their customers
Read on

Footer

  • About us
  • Privacy policy
  • Disclaimer

Social

© 2021 Insurance Council of Australia Limited

logo
Suggestions:
data hub, business interruption