Couple face claim pain
Wall came down at Mt Sheridan property
A MENA Creek couple is considering opting out of the conventional insurance industry after a protracted battle with a major insurer ended in the company refusing to pay a claim.
The rental house at Mt Sheridan, owned by Nick and Rose Bogart, was inundated by heavy rain in January last year.
They claim the rain was a factor in the toppling of a 90mm high retaining wall in the front yard of the house.
QBE disagreed on the grounds damage to the wall “cannot be attributed to the event of January 18, 2018” and the company deemed the collapse of the wall was the result of “poor workmanship” and had “long-term maintenance issues”.
“They are prepared to take our money but not prepared to take on the risk,” Mr Bogart said. The couple have since repaired the wall at a cost of $20,000 and feel like they have been short changed by a company which they put faith in to “do the right thing”.
“We are scared now if anything happens here now; are we covered?” Mrs Bogart said.
“Do they find another reason not to insure us here. You start to worry about what is covered and what is not.”
The pair don’t understand how the company cited Bureau of Meteorology rainfall figures detailing the rain said to have fallen at the Mt Sheridan property when the nearest weather station is 12km away at the Cairns Airport.
“Who is to say you don’t get more in one area than another?” Mrs Bogart said
QBE insurance was contacted by the Cairns Post about this story.
WE ARE SCARED NOW IF ANYTHING HAPPENS HERE NOW ... YOU START TO WORRY ABOUT WHAT IS COVERED
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