Twist in case of Sunbury family who feared becoming homeless after insurance company rejected claim on their mouldy, mice-infested house
Twist in the case of the Sunbury family who feared they would become homeless after the insurance company denied the claim on their moldy, mouse-infested home
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A family left stranded by the insurance company and at risk of homelessness have been lucky to finally have their claim fully covered.
The Sunbury home of Kane and Rebecca Bridger and their two children was riddled with mold after water damage from a storm late last year.
Their original claim was accepted by the RACV, with an engineering report noting that there were no maintenance issues contributing to the damage.
Six months later, the Bridger’s claim for “any damage to the property” was suddenly denied.
Kane and Rebecca Bridger (pictured) were left ‘shocked’ and ‘confused’ after their accepted insurance claim for their water-damaged home was suddenly rejected six months later
“It really shocked and confused us, to be honest,” Rebecca said 9News.
“As far as we knew it was all going ahead.”
A second engineering report had revealed several maintenance problems and construction errors, even though the RACV’s earlier report had made everything clear to them.
The house, in Melbourne’s northwest, remains empty and is now unliveable according to Kane.
There is no longer a functioning bathroom, many of their belongings have been destroyed and the building is overrun with mice and mold.
“I was furious, they obviously didn’t know what it was like to move back in,” he said.
“Even if we moved back in, how did they expect us to go to the bathroom?”
Daughter Nikkita said the whole situation was “stressful for everyone.”
The Sunbury estate, in Melbourne’s northwest, is deemed ‘unliveable’ by its homeowners and is overrun with mice (pictured) and mold
“It’s just sad because this used to be our home and now there’s nothing here that feels like home,” she added.
“We came in today and it was like we just wanted to cry.”
After filing a complaint with the regulator, the family received news that the RACV had changed its mind: the family’s temporary housing was extended, the mold damage was repaired and the contents were paid for.
In another positive twist, the RACV confirmed on Thursday evening that the family’s claim would now be fully covered.
“We have been working with our member to resolve the issues with their claim,” a spokesperson for the insurer said.
The dispute with the RACV finally came to a head on Thursday evening, with the insurance company confirming that the family’s claim will be fully covered (pictured, the house)
‘We have contacted them today and spoken to their representative to confirm that we will fully cover their claim.
“Our member has indicated through their representative that they have an in-house builder ready to carry out the repairs covered by their claim,” the spokesperson added.
“Their temporary shelter will be extended until all repairs are completed.
“We have once again apologized for their experience with their claim.”