Insurance Law

Insurance can help Australians get back on their feet after extreme weather events, accidents, crime, illness or the death of a loved one. When things go wrong people are often traumatised, and find it hard to understand or assert their legal rights. When insurance works as expected it can be the path to recovery. Choose from the topics below to find fact sheets to help you answer your insurance questions and concerns.

Adele’s Story: Stolen Car

When Adele’s car was stolen she claimed on her comprehensive insurance policy. Two weeks later her insurer said she would be paid $26,000 for the loss. As a single mum on a carer’s pension, she borrowed money from her family to buy a car. Shortly after her stolen car was found and her insurer refused to pay the full $26,000 and assessing the car for repairs. Financial Rights helped Adele to dispute the decision, as she had relied on their promise to pay out in full. To Adele’s relief, the insurer agreed to pay the original total loss.

Joy's Story

Joy’s home was damaged in a storm. The roof, ceiling and floor boards needed repair and Joy made an insurance claim. Her insurer agreed to repair the interiors but not the roof. They claimed the damage was due to poor maintenance.

Joy was able to produce invoices proving she repaired her roof four years ago following another storm, when her insurer also rejected a claim on the basis of poor maintenance. Financial Rights helped her to dispute the current claim denial with her insurer.

Debt Problem Solver

Answer a few questions to understand what steps you can take and where to find help when debts are piling up.

Motor Vehicle Accident
Problem Solver

Answer a few questions to identify your rights and what steps to take after a car accident.

Home & Contents Insurance

Motor Vehicle Insurance

Other Insurance

Fact Sheets

Find out more information from our Fact Sheets below.

Sample Letters

Find out more information from our Sample Letters below.

Financial Counselling Australia coordinates the National Debt Helpline (NDH), which consists of a national phone service operating under the 1800 007 007 number and is complemented by the NDH website.

Financial Rights is one of two services in NSW that answers the NDH. If you are struggling with debt, you can talk to a free financial counsellor over the phone on 1800 007 007.

NDH is a not-for-profit service that helps people tackle their debt problems. It is not a lender and does not ‘sell’ anything or make money from you. The NDH professional financial counsellors offer a free, independent and confidential service.

NDH is here to help you get back on track

Help us make a difference

Support the work of the Financial Rights Legal Centre today.

Naomi took the time to familiarise herself with the Insurance policy and provided me with useful terms and wording to assist me with my appeal letter.

She was thoughtful, considered and professional and extremely helpful.

Acknowledgement of Country

Financial Rights acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional owners and celebrate the diversity of Aboriginal peoples and their ongoing cultures and connections to all lands and waters. Financial Rights acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation as the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which our main office is located. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and future traditional custodians and Elders of this nation and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware this website may contain images or names of people who have passed away.

Adele’s Story: Stolen Car