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Budget Direct Home & Contents Insurance Questions & Answers
27 questions from our users
Mark Sasked
Hi Jimmy,
I'm both sorry and surprised to hear that your claim was rejected as described.
If I'm understanding your review correctly, Budget Direct has denied a claim for theft and vandalism based on your roof being of a different material to the one you declared? If so they are likely in violation of section 54 of the Insurance Contract Act.
In case you haven't already, you can have your claim reviewed by:
1) lodging a complaint with the insurer's internal dispute resolution service. If that fails -
2) escalate by complaining to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority.
It may also be worth getting legal advice.
Let us know how you get on.
Userasked
( From reading the comments on this site, I am concerned about going with Budget for House and Contents insurance which we pay annually - sounds like they just think they can draw on your account for the next years renewal cost. )
I am also awaiting your answer...
6 answers
Two days since my question was asked on the same subject.
Surely someone can give us some information re Budget Direct renewal procedures- particularly a representative from Budget Direct.
no they send out the renewal notice first which tells you your new price and the date it will be deducted
Was talking to them on the phone few days ago and they do have a''auto renewal system '' which you can opt out of BUT MAKE SURE you ask for it if and when you purchase the insurance
MONTROSEasked
From reading the comments re renewals:
- do Budget Direct automatically try to charge your annual cost from your account?
- or do they send out renewal documents advising the new renewal prices and you then choose if you wish to renew?
From reading the comments on this site, I am concerned about going with Budget for House and Contents insurance which we pay annually - sounds like they just think they can draw on your account for the next years renewal cost.
3 answers
no they give you a few weeks notice of your new premium being deducted and the price
Thanks for your reply.
This was the only major issue that we had with changing to Budget Direct and suspect this may be an issue if you pay monthly. As we pay annually we hope this will not happen without prior notification.
It was interesting to see that someone else had the same question. Hopefully, there will be confirmation on this site from Budget Direct regarding the renewal process.
Hi i replied to someone else on this issue just a little while ago .Should help
Leasehit L.asked
If I were to take out home and contents insurance with Budgetdirect and then need to make a claim in the future. Will budgetdirect claims department and insurance investigators find every possible reason not to pay for my claim?
2 answers
If your claim is genuine and it is clearly covered in your policy then there is no need to believe that you cannot be paid for the claim. If you have trouble with an Insurance Company then do not hesitate to contact the Insurance Ombudsman in your state. This usually makes the insurer more compliant.
I’ve never had an issue making a claim with any insurer. Be prepared. Photograph your valuables and keep receipts etc so you can prove ownership and valuations and you shouldn’t ever have a problem.
chrisasked
I recently went on line and sought a H&C policy quote. We have had continuous policy cover for the past 20 years with a major competitor, but our current insurer is, for the third year running, seeking a 20% + increase in the annual premium. So I thought I would check around. I was bit shocked ta the end of the On-line process to be told Budget could not offer me any cover. I am now retired and have made a claim four years ago but no details were given for the "Inability" to offer cover. Is there a reason I am missing here?
1 answer
Maybe you are in a 'supposed Flood area!!! Go online and get a quote with Suncorp (they actually cover you for flood). That's who I'm with now. Don't use QBE they are even worse.
Joe Divitaasked
Can you please review when a claim is made. Not when they happily take your money
3 answers
i was reviewing them on the fact that their premiums have nearly doubled in a year.
I'm sure that's relevant isn't it????????
I think Joe is getting at all the people saying "5 stars for being so cheap!" When that provides absolutely zero feedback on whether they process claims, or just take your money and laugh when you actually need help...
Spot on
malcolmasked
Why is a rejected claim still categorised as a claim? If it wasn’t covered and the owner paid for the full repair then why has the premium gone up. It defies logic and common decency. Why
2 answers
Changed my mind with budget then
Rang Another insurance company and went with them. Even they couldn’t believe that something Budget Direct said wasn’t claimable was still catagorized as a claim. Go figure!
Mattasked
Can you see the reviews of people who have made claims?
No answers
Anita Fasked
What is covered with my contents insurance after being robbed/brake & enter?
1 answer
Don't even bother! My house got broken into on the 28th of December 2018 still have nothing even remotely close to my claim being finisned! I have 2 small kids and all tvs, christmas present electronics, secured safe cash etc was taken and they are just playing dodgey brothers right about now!
Timasked
I just got my home and contents renewal and the premium has gone up by 40%. Has anyone else had this? I'm getting quotes from other companies as this can't be right.
3 answers
Ours went up by 100% without any claims or an explanation from Budget.
They operate on the basis that half their zpolicyholders won’t compare the Renewal Notice with last years.
If you don’t cancel then they automatically renew by debiting your card.
The Insurance Ombudsman should investigate them.
Yeah, I just got mine and it had gone up quite a bit. I did an online quote with another company that came out cheaper. I just called Budget Direct and told them about the other quote, and they slashed it back to what I was originally paying. Kinda annoying though that you have to go through that, as a loyal customer, to get the discount.
Thanks for this question, mine has just gone up quite dramatically also, and couldn’t work out why! time to start comparing with other companies.
bidolasked
I’m wondering about flood cover? Does it include fire sprinklers? Thanks
No answers
Lilianasked
Has anyone on here made a car or home and contents claim with budget? Most of the reviews seem to be brand new customers.
2 answers
Yes, all positive reviews from new customers...UNTIL, you read about the ones who have made claims. Shocking reports.
Yep, don’t bother using this insurance company. I enquired about a claim, they said it wasn’t covered in the policy so I got it fixed myself. Then when I went to renew policy they said I had made a claim and wouldnt back down even though they hadn’t paid me a cent. I took my business elsewhere.
Wendyasked
how much to pay to insure a $100,000.00 house a year
2 answers
Budget D.Budget Direct
Hi Wendy, thanks for considering Budget Direct Insurance for your house. You can visit the website to get a quote online https://www.budgetdirect.com.au/home-contents-insurance.html or contact us on 1800 700 027.
-Budget Direct
Hi Wendy
Don’t do it. Don’t go with Budget Direct. They will up your premium and say you made a claim when you rang to enquire if you could make a claim. That’s what happened to me. Apparently something that is not claimable still qualifies as a claim.
Blakeasked
Hi
I was just wondering if I would get much of a discount if I had three home insurance policies with you guys two landlord policies and one home and contents?
3 answers
Dont bother. They will not cover you even if u have a ligitimate claim. Look elsewhere.
Do urself a favour & look elsewhere.
What ever you do, DO NOT call Youi. They were charged and convicted of FRAUD against customers and potential customers and fined almost $600,000 3 times in the last 15 months. ASIC is investigating Youi again, this time for a cult like attitude for not paying claims !.
As for Budget Direct, they're pretty good and I'll write a review after the first 12 months.
Don’t bother writing a review. Don’t go with Budget Direct. They will up your premium and say you made a claim when you rang to enquire if you could make a claim. That’s what happened to me. Apparently something that is not claimable still qualifies as a claim.
Kathleen Jasked
Can you supply a home & content policy the same as nrma standard policy? I would like to give budget the business but am afraid if it comes to the crunch ( so to speak ) & I need to claim for some thing that nrma would approve, you won't . Paul
2 answers
Budget D.Budget Direct
Hello,
While we are not aware of the level of cover offered by our competitors, you are welcome to complete a quote with us at any time. We have a live chat facility available should you have any queries. For full details of our policy, please see our Product Disclosure Statement here: http://www.autogeneral.com.au/search/HOME/BUDD
- Morgan
Don’t go with Budget Direct. They will up your premium and say you made a claim when you rang to enquire if you could make a claim. That’s what happened to me. Apparently something that is not claimable still qualifies as a claim.
Michelle Aasked
Does Budget Direct home insurance cover (for landlord with tenanted property) cover the landlord's public liability?
3 answers
They wont even cover ligitimate claims. Dont inure with them. They called Budget for a reason.... coz they will avoid paying claims at all costs.
Budget D.Budget Direct
Hello,
If you have insured your home under our policy, then we will cover your legal liability as owner or owner-occupier of your home, for death or bodily injury to other people, or for loss or damage to other people’s property caused by an accident which occurs during the period of this policy, and at the insured address. As there are limits and exclusions that apply, for more information regarding our legal liability cover, please see page 19 - 22 of our Product Disclosure Statement here: http://www.autogeneral.com.au/search/HOME/BUDD
- Morgan
Don’t go with Budget Direct. They will up your premium and say you made a claim when you rang to enquire if you could make a claim. That’s what happened to me. Apparently something that is not claimable still qualifies as a claim. And they insisted on charging more for my tenanted properties that had nothing to do with the property I had enquired about. Also to charge more to have both our names on the insurance policy instead of just mine. Cheap and nasty= Budget
Kathleen Jasked
Is " storm & tempest" automatically covered in your insurance policy ?
2 answers
Budget D.Budget Direct
Hi Kathleen,
The Insured Events covered under this policy are: Storm and Rainwater; Theft and Attempted Theft; Lightning; Earthquake; Fire; Explosion; Sudden and Unexpected Escape of Liquid; Accidental Breakage of Glass, Ceramics and Sanitary Fixtures; Malicious Damage, Vandalism, Riot and Civil Commotion; Impact at the Home. We will also cover your legal liability. The maximum we will pay for the total of all liability claims against us arising from one event is $20 million.
As per our PDS Storm and Rainwater; Including loss or damage from: The escape of rainwater from any water pipe, drain or gutter surface run-off rainwater from surrounding areas that occurs within 24 hours of a storm or heavy rain. Including loss or damage caused by erosion, subsidence, landslide, mudslide or any other earth movement that occurs within 72 hours of a storm or heavy rain and as a result of that storm or rainwater.
We define;
Storm - is an atmospheric disturbance evidenced by violent wind (including cyclones and tornadoes) that may be accompanied by lightning, rain, hail or snow. Storm is not persistent rain by itself.
Storm surge - an increase in the sea level caused by weather conditions.
Please let me know if we can provide any more information - Morgan
Don’t go with Budget Direct. They will up your premium and say you made a claim when you rang to enquire if you could make a claim. That’s what happened to me. Apparently something that is not claimable still qualifies as a claim. And they insisted on charging more for my tenanted properties that had nothing to do with the property I had enquired about. Also to charge more to have both our names on the insurance policy instead of just mine. Cheap and nasty= Budget
Andrew Masked
Does Budget Direct home contents insurance cover damage to contents if a tall tree falls on the house under the following circumstances:
(a) the tree or a limb falls during a storm and the tree is in the yard of the property being insured;
(b) the tree or a limb falls during a storm and the tree is in the yard of the the neighbour's property;
(c) the tree just drops a big limb (which is what big Australian trees often do) without there being a storm and the tree is in the property owner's yard;
(d) the tree just drops a big limb (which is what big Australian trees often do) without there being a storm and the tree is in the neighbour's yard.
My uncle lives in a bushy suburb full of tall gum trees. He is worried that if one of the tall gum trees in his yard, or in the yard of a neighbour, crashes onto his property then he will not be insured.
2 answers
Budget D.Budget Direct
Hello Andrew,
When you have insured your home contents with Budget Direct you are covered for the following insured events: Storm and Rainwater; Theft and Attempted Theft; Lightning; Earthquake; Fire; Explosion; Sudden and Unexpected Escape of Liquid; Accidental Breakage of Glass, Ceramics and Sanitary Fixtures; Malicious Damage, Vandalism, Riot and Civil Commotion; Impact at the Home. We will also cover your legal liability. The maximum we will pay for the total of all liability claims against us arising from one event is $20 million.
As all claims are based on their own merits and circumstance I can not answer your hypothetical's completely however I would suggest you have a read of our PDS Part A and in particular reference to page 10 and 11. This is the best resource to show you what we will cover in the event of; storm and rainwater, lightning and impact at the home.
- Morgan
Don’t go with Budget Direct. They will up your premium and say you made a claim when you rang to enquire if you could make a claim. That’s what happened to me. Apparently something that is not claimable still qualifies as a claim. And they insisted on charging more for my tenanted properties that had nothing to do with the property I had enquired about. Also to charge more to have both our names on the insurance policy instead of just mine. Cheap and nasty= Budget
Andrew Masked
Will Budget Direct home contents insurance cover a grand piano? I inherited a grand piano from my grandfather. I would like to insure it, but apparently it is worth around $100,000 - five times more than the rest of my contents ($20,000) put together. Does it have to be listed under "specified valuables", or can I just increase the value of my contents to $80,000?
1 answer
Budget D.Budget Direct
Hello Andrew,
To ensure your grand pianos full value will be covered you will need to increase your home contents sum insured to incorporate this item. For example; you mentioned your personal contents is valued at $20,000 and your piano is valued at $100,000 you would need to insure your contents for a total of $120,000.
- Morgan
Neilasked
Why is the "tenant default" excess $1280 when the basic excess is only $ 300?
4 answers
Budget D.Budget Direct
Hi Neil, Unfortunately I'm unable to answer your question without a bit more detail. Are you able to email your question (and your policy number if you are a customer) to [email protected] so I can look into this? Alysse
your lucky i got charged $1420!!!!
Yeah I'm getting charged 4 weeks worth of rent plus a $500 excess!!! Will not be using them again after this and will be telling others the same.
Other Home and Contents Insurance
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