Customer Wins in Insurance Dispute Over Laser Equipment
Customer Wins in Insurance Dispute Over Laser Equipment
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 a recent ruling, a salon owner successfully contested a claim with her insurance provider concerning a dispute over a laser machine.
This case highlights significant issues around insurance policy interpretation and customer rights.
The crux of the dispute arose when the salon's laser machine broke down in February, and repair costs were estimated at $18,069. The salon owner had insured the machine for $50,000 in December of the previous year, following its second-hand purchase and refurbishment in 2012 for $66,000.
Despite acknowledging the damage, QBE Insurance reduced its compensation to $7,286, citing an underinsurance clause. QBE claimed that due to the model being discontinued, a replacement would necessitate insuring at $155,000.
The insurer's clause stipulated that if the sum insured was less than 80% of the "total new replacement value," the liability could be adjusted accordingly. However, the salon owner challenged this assessment, arguing that a comparable refurbished machine was valued between $30,000 and $45,000.
The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) intervened, siding with the salon owner. AFCA declared that policy wording began ambiguous, noting discrepancies in terms such as "full value" and "total new replacement value", creating confusion about the clause's intent.
AFCA clarified: "When the policy is read as a whole, it indicates the laser should be insured for its full value, or what it would cost to replace with a similar laser in a similar condition." They refuted QBE's expectation that the salon owner should have insured the laser for $155,000, indicating she would never recoup more than $50,000 under policy terms.
This ruling mandates QBE to cover the repair costs, less the policy’s deductible. The case emphasizes the importance of clarity in insurance contracts and equitable treatment of claims.
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.
Asteron Life’s ownership transition from Suncorp to Resolution Life has put another spotlight on a practical question for New Zealand life insurance customers: what should you do when the company behind your policy changes? For most existing policyholders, an ownership change does not automatically rewrite the promises in a current contract. - read more
Recent industry attention on insurance complaints is a useful reminder that buying life cover is not only about finding the lowest premium. For New Zealand households, the real test of a policy often comes years later, when a claim is made and the insurer checks whether the policy terms have been met. - read more
A recent Good Returns TV discussion with Financial Markets Authority Director of Deposit Taking, Insurance and Advice Michael Hewes has renewed attention on a practical issue for New Zealand households: too many people still find financial advice hard to access, hard to understand, or too time-consuming to begin. - read more
Partners Life has introduced a new Life Advantage discount, giving eligible customers a permanent reduction on selected life and trauma-related covers. The offer is aimed at non-smokers aged 16 and over who meet a specified body mass index range and complete full medical underwriting when applying for new or increased cover. - read more
Life insurance premiums in New Zealand can vary widely between people and providers. This guide explains the main factors that affect cost, how stepped and level premium structures work over time, and why the lowest starting premium is not always the simplest comparison point. - read more
Life insurance underwriting is the assessment an insurer carries out after you apply for cover. It helps determine whether cover can be offered, what premium may apply, and whether any special terms, exclusions or loadings are needed. - read more
Life insurance is designed to provide a payment if the insured person dies or, in some policies, is diagnosed with a terminal illness and the claim meets the policy terms. For families and beneficiaries, the claims process can occur at a difficult time, so it is important to understand how claims are assessed and what issues may affect whether a claim is paid. - read more
Life insurance in New Zealand can include several different types of personal cover, including life cover, terminal illness benefits, trauma cover, TPD cover and income protection. Understanding how these covers differ can help you compare policies more confidently before requesting quotes. - read more
Start Here !
Apply now for your free Insurance assessment and price comparisons!
All quotes are provided free and without obligation. We respect your
privacy.
Knowledgebase
Underwriting: The process by which an insurer determines the risk of insuring a client and decides the terms of coverage.
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.