No surprises
How we get paid
There is no upfront fee, and no separate invoice when you repair through our builder.
- Money paid to you goes from your insurer straight into your bank account
- We never handle your money
- We never ask for your bank details
The three paths
How each path works
Path 1 · Repair through our builder
$0
separate invoice to you
We quote your repair the same way any builder would: a scope of works and a market price that includes a normal builder's margin. If your insurer approves that scope and price, they fund the repair. Nothing is added to your claim.
Path 2 · Cash settlement
A disclosed fee
the exact dollar figure in writing before you decide
Your insurer pays the settlement directly to you, and what you do with it is your call. The fee covers the claim work done to that point: inspecting, lodging and negotiating. Until you sign, walking away costs nothing.
Path 3 · Your own builder
15%
of the insurance payment, for claim work already done
You are welcome to use a different builder. The fee covers inspecting, lodging and negotiating your claim, and you will see it as a dollar figure in writing before you commit to anything.
Worked dollar examples for each path are being finalised with our compliance adviser and will appear here. Until then, one rule applies everywhere: you see the exact figure in writing before you sign anything.
Our conflict of interest, stated plainly
We earn more when you repair through our builder than when you take a cash settlement or use your own. We say this upfront because when we give you our view on repairing versus taking the cash, you should know exactly where our interest sits. Whatever you choose, the numbers for your claim are put in writing, and every path stays open to you.
Excess
Your excess
We contribute up to $500 towards your insurance excess. If your excess is higher, we will tell you the shortfall in writing before you commit to anything. We do not promise to waive excesses we have not agreed to, and we would encourage you to be wary of anyone who does.
Ask anyone this
The questions consumer groups say to ask a claims manager
The Insurance Council of Australia and the Financial Rights Legal Centre publish a list of questions to put to any claims management company. Here it is, answered. Put the same questions to anyone else who knocks on your door.
What will this cost me?
No upfront fee, and no separate invoice when you repair through our builder. A disclosed fee applies on the cash and own-builder paths, shown to you in writing as a dollar figure before you sign anything.
Is your fee a flat rate or a percentage?
It depends on the path. Repair through our builder: no separate fee, because we are paid within the builder's normal quoted margin. Your own builder: 15 per cent of the insurance payment, for the claim work already done. Cash settlement: a fee we quote in writing before you decide.
How are you paid if the insurer repairs rather than cash settles?
Through the builder's margin on the approved repair, the same way any builder earns on any job. Nothing is added to your claim and nothing is invoiced to you.
What happens if my claim is unsuccessful?
The inspection is free, and on every path our payment comes out of a settled claim. Your written agreement sets this out plainly before you sign.
What if I stop using you before settlement?
Your agreement sets out exactly what applies if you leave part-way through. Read it before you commit, and ask us about anything that is not clear.
Are you an AFCA member?
We are covered by the Australian Financial Complaints Authority through our licensee. AFCA is independent and free to you: 1800 931 678.
Will you charge me to access AFCA?
Never. AFCA is always free. Anyone who charges you to complain is showing you a red flag.
Apex Claims is a Corporate Authorised Representative (No. 001322632) of Taylor Emily Hulme, AFSL 532061. When we act on your claim, we act for you, not your insurer. How we may be paid is set out above.
If you have a complaint, you can access our licensee's dispute resolution process by contacting us on 1300 304 017. If it isn't resolved, you can go to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority free of charge: 1800 931 678, afca.org.au.
This page is general information only and doesn't take account of your policy or circumstances. Figures for your claim are provided in writing before you commit.