MEDIA STATEMENT

TUESDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 2021

INVESTIGATION: INSURERS TARGET PEOPLE WHO RENT WITH ROBODEBT-STYLE TACTICS

LANDLORD INSURANCE CLAIMS PROCESS FROM SOME INSURERS LEAVES PEOPLE WHO RENT DEFENDING UNFAIR DEBTS

CHOICE has released an investigation today showing how some landlord insurers like Suncorp and Chubb are demanding payment from people who rent with little or no evidence that they owe the money. CHOICE and WEstJustice are together calling on insurers to stop targeting people who rent with threatening bills.

Pre recorded interview, b-roll footage, and images of Luke and Lauren available below.

Read the investigation at: choice.com.au/insurance-robodebt

Media contact: 0430 172 669, media@choice.com.au

Editors notes: the poll referenced ran on choice.com.au between late July and late August.

5,479 people completed the poll, including 1,202 people who stated they were landlords (21.15%).

The poll found that:

• 94% of people were unaware that insurance companies could bill renters for damage after paying a landlord insurance claim.

• 98% of people think that insurers billing renters for damage they didn’t cause is unfair.

• 96% of people support insurance companies being banned from billing renters for damage they didn’t cause.

• Of the over 1,200 landlords who responded to our poll, 95% said they support insurance companies being banned from billing renters for damage they didn’t cause

This investigation is the second in a series about landlord insurance recoveries practices. CHOICE and community legal centre WEstJustice have teamed up to approach regulators and insurers to improve practices.

The investigation features CHOICE members Lauren and Luke who received a bill from Suncorp sub-brand GIO for almost $78,000 and were given 14 days to pay after an accidental house fire in their rental property.

Images