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
Licensed & verifiableAFSL 532061ABN 29 683 929 115
How each path works
Path 1 · Repair through our builder
No separate fee
we are paid within the builder's normal quoted margin
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.
Where the money goes
Insurer → builder. Your insurer funds the approved repair directly. Nothing is invoiced to you and no money passes through you.
The exact dollar figure in writing before you sign anything.
Path 2 · Cash settlement
Fee quoted in writing
the exact dollar figure before you decide anything
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.
Where the money goes
Insurer → your bank account. The settlement is paid to you directly. We never touch it.
The exact dollar figure in writing before you sign anything.
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.
Where the money goes
Insurer → your bank account. The payment goes to you, and you choose who repairs your home.
The exact dollar figure in writing before you sign anything.
The same claim on each path
Say your insurer approves a $20,000 claim. Here is where the money lands on each path.
| Path | Our fee | You receive |
|---|---|---|
| Repair through our builder | No separate fee | The approved repair, completed |
| Cash settlement | Quoted in writing before you decide | $20,000 minus the quoted fee |
| Your own builder | 15% = $3,000 | $17,000, and your choice of builder |
This is an illustration of the fee rules above, not a quote. The cash settlement fee depends on the work done on your claim, which is why we quote it rather than publish one number. Whatever your figures are, you see them in writing before you sign anything.
Where our interest sits
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.
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.
The questions you should ask anyone like us
The Insurance Council of Australia and the Financial Rights Legal Centre publish the questions to put to any claims management company. Here they are, with our answers. Put the same questions to anyone else who knocks on your door.
And remember you never have to use a company like ours at all: you can lodge and manage a claim yourself directly with your insurer, free of charge, and get free independent help from the Financial Rights Legal Centre or from AFCA on 1800 931 678.
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 spells this out 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.
Ready for a free inspection?
Book online in a couple of minutes. If nothing's wrong, you get a certificate saying so.
No pressure to sign anything, and no money asked for at your door.
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.