Allianz's Payout Reduction Approved in Car Claim Dispute
Allianz's Payout Reduction Approved in Car Claim Dispute
5
In a landmark decision, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority has ruled in favor of Allianz, allowing the insurer to significantly reduce its payout for a car damage claim due to a misdescribed vehicle model.
The case involves a claimant who purchased a 2013 Range Rover Dynamic for $41,750 from a private seller on June 2nd of the previous year. Tragically, the vehicle caught fire and was deemed a total loss on the same day he picked it up.
Believing his new car was covered, the man submitted a claim to Allianz for the agreed value of $105,950, under a policy initiated the day of the incident. Initially, Allianz seemed to agree to the settlement amount; however, an investigation revealed a discrepancy in the model description.
The claimant had listed his vehicle as the more luxurious and costly 2013 Range Rover Autobiography MY14.5 model when, in fact, it was a Range Rover Dynamic. This misdescription resulted in an overinflated insured value.
As a result, Allianz recalculated the vehicle's worth and offered to settle the claim for a revised value of $66,630. After deducting remaining premiums and excess, the final payout amounted to $58,979.
The vehicle owner argued that he made an "innocent misrepresentation" because the insurer’s website provided a model with an outdated engine when he searched using his car's registration. He claimed he selected the Autobiography MY14.5 model since it had a similar engine type.
"I opted for the only model with my engine type and MY14.5 badging," the man explained to the complaints authority. "The website's labeling was incorrect and misled me."
The Australian Financial Complaints Authority concluded that while the policyholder's situation was understandable, it did not excuse the inaccurate car description, which breached policy terms.
"I acknowledge the complainant's challenge in finding his exact car model on the insurer's online policy platform," an AFCA ombudsman commented. "However, this does not justify misrepresenting the car's specification."
The AFCA stressed the importance of accurate car descriptions in insurance agreements, advising policyholders to make additional inquiries if unable to find the right model online.
This ruling reinforces Allianz's right to adjust the settlement based on a common law precedent, affirming the fairness of the insurer’s reduced offer. The case highlights the critical nature of precise data input when setting up insurance policies.
For further insights, the original article can be found on the Australian Financial Complaints Authority's website.
Steadfast Group, Australia's largest general insurance broker network, has announced the acquisition of a majority stake in Novum Underwriting Partners. This strategic move, revealed on September 1, 2025, is a pivotal step in Steadfast's ambition to expand its global operations. - read more
The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has proposed the establishment of a $30 billion flood defence fund aimed at enhancing the nation's resilience to flooding events. Announced on February 25, 2025, this initiative seeks to address the escalating costs associated with flood-related damages and the subsequent impact on insurance premiums. - read more
Insurance Australia Group (IAG) has successfully completed its $855 million acquisition of the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland's (RACQ) insurance underwriting business. This strategic move, announced on September 1, 2025, marks a significant expansion for IAG within the Australian insurance landscape. - read more
Comprehensive insurance is a type of coverage that protects your trade business from various risks and unforeseen events. It typically includes an array of policies that cover different aspects of your business operations. - read more
Whether you're a carpenter, electrician, plumber, or any other type of tradesperson, your work is essential to keeping homes and businesses running smoothly. But have you ever thought about how important insurance is for your trade business? - read more
As a tradesperson, having comprehensive insurance coverage is crucial. Whether you are a carpenter, electrician, plumber, or any other trades professional, the nature of your work exposes you to various risks. Insurance not only protects you but also your clients and your business. - read more
Dictionary
Insurance
noun
In law and economics, insurance is a form of risk management primarily used to hedge against the risk of potential financial loss.
