Insurance
Where to complain about -
General Insurance:
If you have a complaint about your insurance, read your policy thoroughly. If after contacting your insurance company you are not happy with their response, you can complain to:
Banking Ombudsman
Toll free: 1300 780 808
The Banking and Financial Services Ombudsman (BFSO) is an independent dispute resolution service that is approved by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). The Ombudsman can determine disputes between consumers and geneal insurers who are members fo the scheme.
Health Insurance:
If you have a complaint about private health insurance you should first contact the health fund of which you are a member. If your complaint is not resolved by the fund you should contact the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman. The Ombudsman is independent and can inquire into a dispute and make recommendations to the fund. The Ombudsman can also conciliate your complaint. Contact:
Private Health Insurance Ombudsman
Level 7, 362 Kent Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Freecall: 1800 640 695
Telephone: (02) 8235 8777
Web: www.phio.org.au
Medicare:
If your complaint is about Medicare, contact:
Medicare Australia
GPO Box 9822, Darwin NT 0801
Telephone: 132 011
Web: www.medicareaustralia.gov.au
the health insurance commission
GPO Box 9822, Darwin NT 0801
Telephone: 132 011
Web: www.hic.gov.au
The Commonwealth Ombudsman Darwin
Level 12, NT House, Mitchell Street, Darwin NT 0800
GPO Box 1344, Darwin NT 0801
Telephone: 1300 362 072
Web: www.ombudsman.gov.au
The Commonwealth Ombudsman Alice Springs
Ground Floor, Centrepoint Building, Hartley Street,
Alice Springs NT 0870
PO Box 2388, Alice Springs NT 0871
Telephone: 1300 362 072
Web: www.ombudsman.gov.au
Territory Insurance Office (TIO):
If your complaint is about the Territory Insurance Office (TIO), and you have approached TIO unsuccessfully, seek legal help.
For legal help see Legal Help Resources.
Insurance Brokers:
If you have a complaint involving Insurance Brokers, contact the Insurance Brokers Disputes Limited (IBD). Dispute resolution is available on a similar basis to the above schemes. The referee can make binding decisions on claims involving $10,000 general insurance, and $50,000 for life insurance.
Insurance Brokers Disputes limited (ibd)
Level 13, 31 Queen Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Freecall: 1800 064169
Telephone: (03) 9620 0177
Email: info@ibdltd.com.au
Web: www.ibdltd.com.au
Life Insurance or Superannuation:
If you have a complaint about a Life Insurance or Superannuation policy contact:
Financial Industry Complaints Service Limited
PO Box 579, Collins Street West, Melbourne VIC 3000
Telephone: 1300 780 808
Fax: (03) 9621 2291
Email: fics@fics.asn.au
Web: www.fics.asn.au
The Service helps consumers to resolve complaints relating to members of the financial services industry, including life insurance, pooled superannuation trusts, managed investments, stockbroking, financial advice, investment advice and sales of financial investment products. It can make binding determinations that member Companies must comply with up to certain monetary limits.
The Service is free to consumers. Initial contact is made with the FICS Enquiry Officer who will advise if the Service can be of assistance in resolving your complaint.
Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)
7th Floor, TIO Centre, 24 Mitchell Street, Darwin NT 0800
Toll free: 1300 300 630
Telephone: 8943 0900
Web: www.asic.gov.au
