Ovens Valley electorate
Tim McCURDY (Ovens Valley) (14:39): (202) My question is to the Minister for Consumer Affairs on behalf of Helen Mitchell of Wangaratta. Helen recently had a motor vehicle collide with her vehicle causing very significant damage. No fault has been apportioned to Mrs Mitchell. Helen purchased the vehicle for $55,000 and is insured with Apia Insurance. Her policy with Apia is clear: if the car is written off, she will receive a replacement vehicle or be paid an amount that will cover the purchase of a similar vehicle. Panelbeaters have quoted $42,000 and eight months to fix the vehicle, which is extraordinary. This flies in the face of the policy of Apia, and it is outrageous. Mrs Mitchell deserves a replacement car, not a patch-up job on her now-destroyed vehicle. I seek the minister’s attention and assistance to expose Apia’s avoidance of paying out Mrs Mitchell and resolve this claim immediately.