Farm Insurance :: News

Share this news item!

Rural Customer Gains Justice After Settlement on Botched Roof Job

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.

In an exemplary case of customer advocacy, a financial broker's persistence has facilitated a significant compensation for a rural policyholder following subpar roof repairs.

Following a natural calamity in 2018, the client submitted a claim to have their hail-damaged roof fixed, a service managed by the insurer HDI Global Specialty.

Unfortunately, the attempted repairs left much to be desired, with a misuse of roofing materials raising concerns over both appearance and functionality.

Negotiations regarding adequate compensation seemed to linger indefinitely, with a spectrum of offers being tabled before the Australian Financial Complaints Authority stepped in to arbitrate. Initially, the roofing repairer admitted to the substandard workmanship and proposed a settlement of $9,345. However, the client's broker argued for a more substantial amount, $59,261, supported by an external carpenter's assessment. The suboptimal materials not only caused visible warping but were predicted to considerably shorten the roof's lifespan.

Despite the repairer's willingness to redo the roof, the homeowner was understandably reluctant to re-engage the same firm, resulting in further delays in remediation. Failure to agree on an actionable solution precipitated extended frustration for the homeowner.

The dispute's resolution came as the complaints authority stepped in, suggesting cash compensation as the most feasible route to rectify the missteps encountered over the protracted four-year period. The authority's involvement culminated in HDI being directed to pay $40,000 in damages, along with an additional $2,000 for non-financial losses. This sum aimed to account for the exceptional stress and inconvenience attributable to the poorly executed roof repairs.

The ruling by the complaints body was welcomed as a fair conclusivity, mandating the insurer's adherence to the policy agreement and offering the affected homeowner a much-needed sense of finality to a lingering issue.

Published:Friday, 1st Mar 2024
Author: Paige Estritori

Please Note: We do not endorse any specific products or companies. Some content is sourced from third parties, including press releases, and may not be independently verified for accuracy or completeness.

Share this news item:

Rate this article

0 Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.

Insurance News

What Cyclone Alfred Recovery Teaches Farmers About Insurance

16 Sep 2026: Paige Estritori

Recent industry attention on insurance claims linked to ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred is a timely reminder that severe weather losses rarely stop at damaged buildings. For farms across storm and flood-exposed regions, the real cost of an event can include cut access roads, damaged fencing, spoiled fodder, machinery downtime, livestock movement issues and weeks of operational disruption. - read more

Seasonal Bushfire Risk Puts Farm Cover Back in the Spotlight

09 Sep 2026: Paige Estritori

Australia’s latest seasonal bushfire outlook is a practical reminder that fire risk is not confined to the height of summer. For many farms, the exposure begins well before a catastrophic fire day is declared, as grass growth, drying winds, stored fodder, machinery movement and access limitations combine to create a more complex risk profile than a standard rural home policy can address. - read more

Why Repair Bottlenecks Matter for Farm Insurance Claims

02 Sep 2026: Paige Estritori

Fresh industry concern about repair delays after severe weather is highly relevant for Australian farms, where a damaged shed, washed-out access track or unavailable part can quickly interrupt day-to-day operations. While the wider insurance discussion often focuses on homes and commercial buildings, the same pressure points can be even more complex on rural properties because assets are spread out, specialist equipment is involved and local contractor availability may be limited. - read more

Insurance Tax Debate Puts Farm Premiums Back in Focus

26 Aug 2026: Paige Estritori

Renewed industry pressure to reduce insurance taxes has put affordability back in the spotlight for rural and regional Australia. The latest debate centres on the extra costs added to insurance through state-based duties, levies and other charges, which can make already expensive cover harder to maintain for households and businesses exposed to flood, bushfire, storm and cyclone risk. - read more

Why Claims Disputes Should Prompt a Farm Insurance Review

19 Aug 2026: Paige Estritori

Recent complaints data from the Australian Financial Complaints Authority has again highlighted a pressure point that matters to rural Australia: insurance claims can become difficult when expectations, policy wording and evidence do not line up. While the figures cover the wider insurance market rather than farms alone, the themes are highly relevant for agricultural businesses dealing with storm damage, fire losses, machinery failures, fencing repairs or interrupted operations. - read more

Wetter Weather Forecast Puts Rural Cover Under the Microscope

12 Aug 2026: Paige Estritori

Australia's latest seasonal weather signals have again pushed rainfall risk into the foreground for rural and regional businesses. While conditions vary sharply between districts, a wetter outlook for parts of the country is a useful reminder that risk planning should not wait until paddocks are already saturated, creek crossings are cut or machinery is bogged at harvest. - read more

Click for more Insurance News

Farm Insurance Articles

How Weather Affects Farm Insurance Rates in Australia

Weather is one of the most important risk factors in Australian farming. Drought, flood, bushfire, cyclones, hail and heatwaves can affect crops, livestock, buildings, equipment and farm income. Because insurers assess these risks when pricing and structuring cover, understanding the link between weather and farm insurance can help farmers ask better questions when reviewing their policies. - read more

Income Protection Insurance for Hobby Farmers: What to Consider

Hobby farming may not be your main source of income, but it can still be financially important. If illness or injury prevents you from working, income protection insurance may help replace part of your income while you recover, depending on the policy terms. - read more

Is Your Farm Under-Insured? Tips for Assessing Bushfire Insurance Adequacy

The threat of bushfires looms large over the vast expanses of rural Australia, shaping the reality of farming in this sunbaked landscape. The risk, always present, escalates as the climate warms and dry conditions persist. It's not a matter of if, but when the land will be tested by fire's wrath. In this environment, the armor of insurance isn't just recommended; it's critical for survival. - read more

What You Need to Know About Crop Insurance for Your Farm

Crop farming carries risks that are often outside a farmer's control. Weather events, pests, crop failure and market changes can all affect production and farm income. Crop insurance is designed to provide a financial safety net when insured crops are damaged, destroyed or produce less than expected, helping farmers manage the business impact of an adverse season. - read more

Income Protection for Farmers: Ensuring Stability Through Tough Times

The world of farming is one filled with uncertainties. Weather conditions, market prices, and various other factors can create a highly volatile income stream for those within the agricultural sector. This unpredictability can lead to financial instability that impacts not only the farmers themselves but also their families and the larger rural community. - read more

Farm Insurance, Workers Compensation and Contractor Risks in Australia

Australian farms that use employees, contractors, seasonal labour, family help or volunteers need to understand how workers compensation, public liability and contractor insurance can interact. This article explains the key insurance issues to review, why state and territory rules matter, and what farm operators should check before people start work. - read more

Need a Quote?

Start your free farm insurance quote comparison here.

Knowledgebase

Policyholder:
The individual or entity who owns the insurance policy.

This website is owned and operated by Clark Family Pty Ltd (as Trustee for the Clark Family Trust) 43 Larch Street Tallebudgera QLD 4228, A.C.N. 010281008.

This website is owned and operated by Clark Family Pty Ltd (ACN 010 281 008) as Trustee for the Clark Family Trust (ABN 35 957 893 714), 43 Larch Street Tallebudgera QLD 4228. Clark Family Pty Ltd is an Authorised Representative (AR 1298860) of Unique Group Broker Services Pty Ltd (AFSL 509434) for financial product referrals and an Authorised Credit Representative (ACR 401491) of Saccasan Pty Ltd (ACL 386297). Check our licensing details on the ASIC registers: Clark Family Pty Ltd ACR, Clark Family Pty Ltd AR, Saccasan Pty Ltd, Unique Group Broker Services.

IMPORTANT: We act solely as an introducer and refer enquiries to licensed third-party brokers, insurers, and lenders. We do not provide financial product advice or credit assistance. We may receive a fee or commission from these third parties in consideration for the referral. Before any action is taken to obtain a product or service referred to by this website, advice should be obtained (from either the third party to whom we refer you or from another qualified intermediary) as to the appropriateness of obtaining those products having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. Whilst we have our own process for validating the legitimacy of our referral partners, you should independently verify the credentials and licensing of any adviser or provider you engage. Visit the ASIC website for further information.