- Sign in
- Write a review
Budget Direct Home & Contents Insurance
Reviewer Photos & Videos
Bad experience with Budget Direct
The policy purchase was easy but you only feel pain when start to claim. I bought the home insurance with building insurance. But when I claim they said the roof is not insured.
- Value for Money
- Transparency
- See all answers
- 2 reviews
- 2 likes
Appalling Customer Service
After many years of being a customer with Budget Direct, and having never made a single claim, my contents insurance was cancelled due to a missed payment following a credit card issue. These clowns refused to reinstate me on my usual pay by the month payment plan, but still had the nerve to refer to me as a “valued customer”. Spent a good 20 minutes being patronised by the customer service operator over one single oversight despite my many years of being a paying and no claim customer.
I’ve taken my business elsewhere. There is no shortage of other providers happy to cover me given my record.
- Value for Money
- Transparency
- See all answers
Good morning Brad. I am sorry to hear you have been disappointed with us and thank you for your feedback. We are more than happy to investigate any issues you may have. If you would like this looked i...
Read morento please forward a private message via Facebook or email us with your policy number and further details of your situation you feel are relevant to social@budgetdirect.com.au We look forward to hearing from you. *EveNice and cheap, then it all went downhill.
Weeks of waiting for tradesman to come and look at water damage. Finally turned up unannounced and he insisted that my son let him in to look while we weren’t there. Didn’t even get up on the roof to see where the water was coming in then advised Budget Direct that it was due to a leaking toilet and we didn’t do anything to fix it. No option for us to argue the claim rejection even though an independent plumber fixed the problem and knew it was caused by storm damage. Had to pay the plumber, fix roof, ceiling, paint and carpet out of our own money. Nobody would listen to us or even look at a report from the plumber we used.
- Value for Money
- Transparency
- See all answers
Good morning Tanya. We appreciate you taking the time to provide this feedback and I am sorry you were dissatisfied with your claims journey. We are more than happy to investigate this for you as well...
Read more as provide feedback to the person who handled your claim. Should you wish for this to be done please email social@budgetdirect.com.au with your claim number as the subject line and any further details relevant to your situation. Alternatively, you are welcome to view our dispute resolution process online. * Eve- 2 reviews
- 1 like
Claim Process
Claim was lodged on the 27/05/2022 still has not been settled. I was robbed on the 26/05, the house was turned upside down and I rang the police as soon as I arrived home. It was obvious that the stereo had been stolen and I reported this and the value was added to the Victim statement. The police attended the scene and I was given a form to complete to detail all the items that were stolen. This form was completed and provided to the police the following day. The list of items provided to the police is identical to the claim lodged with Budget...
Read more Direct. Apparently as the original victim statement varies from the complete list of items stolen Budget Direct have requested a police report to validate items stolen. After 2+ months the police report has still not been provided. Budget Direct are unwilling / unable to chase this up and I have no indication as to when the claim will be settled. I have chased them multiple times and cannot seem to get an answer or a return call despite the "We will keep you updated every step of the way". This has been a really disappointing and frustrating experience. I have had to replace some items as the claim has taken so long and there is no sign that this will be resolved any time soon.- Value for Money
- Transparency
- See all answers
Hi Sam, thank you for taking the time to provide us with your feedback. I am very sorry to hear about your recent experience with us, I am happy to arrange an urgent call back. To do so, please email ...
Read moreus at social@budgetdirect.com.au and include your claim number, full name, date of birth, full address (including postcode) and mobile number. I will be raise this as a priority for you. *CameronFind out how Budget Direct Home & Contents Insurance compares to other Home and Contents Insurance
Know better, choose better.
Very poor experience
Made an online claim but was never put through. Waited 2 weeks for someone to call and I had to call them. Their ‘professional builders’ that inspected my bathroom, stated condensation in the report. I gave them videos of water coming in before the report but wasn’t taken into consideration. Their resolution was to clean the mould and re paint the ceiling. Will do anything not to cover claims. Over 2 years I’ve been with budget direct. They offered me $1000 to resolve my complaint. I have canceled both my home and car insurance with them because all they have done is take from me
- Value for Money
- Transparency
- See all answers
Hi Shell M, thank you for taking the time to contact us and provide this feedback. I am sorry to read you are dissatisfied with your claims journey. We are more than happy to investigate this for you ...
Read moreas well as provide feedback to the person handling your claim. So we can do this for you please email social@budgetdirect.com.au with your claim number as the subject line, along with your full name, date of birth and the address (including postcode) noted on the policy. Alternatively, you are welcome to view our dispute resolution process online, you can find it here: https://www.budgetdirect.com.au/existing-customers/dispute-resolution-information.html. *Rubynever again. go with someone else.
been with them for years, with multiple policies, when trying to claim for storm damage they were absolutely awful. no communication, subcontractors turning up randomly, without doing anything and promising stuff that then doesn't materialise, dragged on for month without any resolution or communication from their side - read phone call after phone call from your side trying to chase an update, and also rude on the phone.
very efficient when they take your money, horrendous to deal with when you need them. find someone else.
- Value for Money
- Transparency
- See all answers
Hi sbk, thank you for taking the time to contact us and provide this feedback. I am sorry to read you are dissatisfied with your claims journey. We are more than happy to investigate this for you as w...
Read moreell as provide feedback to the person handling your claim. So we can do this for you please email social@budgetdirect.com.au with your claim number as the subject line, along with your full name, date of birth and the address (including postcode) noted on the policy. Alternatively, you are welcome to view our dispute resolution process online, you can find it here: https://www.budgetdirect.com.au/existing-customers/dispute-resolution-information.html. *Rubywas told by one of your representatives, you do not have a complaints department, it just gets reviewed by a supervisor. I'm over it...
Premium increase
Over the past 3 years my premium has increase from $1700 to $2400 to $6000!
Rang them to discuss and all the could say is that’s the new price of the policy. First customer service lady kept talking over me, 2 lady was much more pleasant and tried to help as much as she could. Ended up canceling my policy and went elsewhere.
- Value for Money
- Customer Service
- See all answers
Hi Brett, thanks for reaching out to provide your feedback. It's a shame we were unable to meet your price expectations on this occasion. Please keep in mind every insurer’s products are different. We...
Read more do understand our cover does not suit everyone's circumstances. We hope you will consider us again as your insurer in the future. Have a great day! *RubyRelated Articles
They took my money but then told me my home wasn't insurable
after the earthquake we had in Victoria assessors came out to my home and said the condition of it was poor previous to the earthquake damage (which actually broke my chimney)
they wrote a report picking on the window seals and plaster work and other things i hadn't claimed against and then told me they wouldn't be covering repairs to the cracked chimney.
They also referenced an online photo of a crack in the brickwork (which i hadn't claimed either)
I don't understand how they can take a customers money and then provide no cover. really dis...
Read moreappointed. Their review of the claim was also just very fake as if they were just listening and pretending to care but not interested at all. A real waste of money, now i have to pay for the repairs and i'm out of pocket for a year's insurance that was for nothing.- Value for Money
- Transparency
- See all answers
Good afternoon Tina, thank you for taking the time to provide this feedback. I am sorry to read about your recent experience with us, and I would be happy to investigate this matter further. To do so,...
Read more please email us at social@budgetdirect.com.au and include your claim number, full name, date of birth, full address (including postcode) and mobile number. *Cameron- 2 reviews
Awful communication and absolutely pointless
House damaged after heavy rain. Submitted a claim which took Budget Direct 5 months to come to a conclusion which was to cancel my insurance.
Wasted my time with all the clunky delayed communications and four on-site assessments. The worst possible result which could have been handled much more appropriately. Now I am paying for damages out-of-pocket and trying to find a new insurer which will undoubtedly be double the price because of the cancellation.
- Value for Money
- Transparency
- See all answers
Hi Leo, thank you for taking the time to contact us and provide this feedback. I am sorry to read you are dissatisfied with your claims journey. We are more than happy to investigate this for you as w...
Read moreell as provide feedback to the person handling your claim. So we can do this for you please email social@budgetdirect.com.au with your claim number as the subject line, along with your full name, date of birth and the address (including postcode) noted on the policy. Alternatively, you are welcome to view our dispute resolution process online, you can find it here: https://www.budgetdirect.com.au/existing-customers/dispute-resolution-information.html. *RubyFind out how Budget Direct Home & Contents Insurance compares to other Home and Contents Insurance
Know better, choose better.
- 2 reviews
Terrible communication and now a more than double the price monthly premium on renewal
Originally I thought it was good value. However once I attempted to make a claim it was dismal. Communication was poor especially with what documentation was needed and parts of claim constantly ignored it is like they had tunnel vision on one part and only wanted to pay it and not the rest. It has taken 9 months of frustration to barely get anywhere. Was not worth my stress for the few dollars in claim that I have gotten to date. I had to chase and got excuses of 'unprecedented times' however my claim started before a lot of the flooding....
Read more I was never given information on what exactly they wanted for the claim, I supplied quotes and was never told they wanted 'reports' from the repairers. I just feel my claim and myself as a customer, were not valued at all. Check your policy renewal, I only knew because I logged in online as I was not happy with company so was comparing what my policy included so I could compare competitors and found my monthly policy was going from $225 to $450 a month!!!! Absolutely ridiculous price rise and the only claim I made was for a broken window. Terrible value for money, terrible customer service. I have never been so frustrated and upset with an insurance company. I will be taking my other policies eg car - elsewhere.- Value for Money
- Transparency
- See all answers
Good afternoon, thank you for taking the time to provide this feedback. I am sorry to read about the recent experiences you have had with us.
We would be happy to look into this renewal offer for yo...
Read moreu. To do this, please feel free to email us at social@budgetdirect.com.au and include your policy number, full name, date of birth, full address and mobile number. *Cameron- 113 reviews
- 67 likes
Consistent Mistakes being made on my policy UPDATE: Please read my update, it gets worse
Not happy with how I'm being treated by this company, I found several mistakes on my policy at renewal time, I have spoken with customer service 4 times and they have still made mistakes, ranging from giving incorrect information at time of my phone call in regards to the cost of my renewal, plus changes I was told had been made when in fact they did not make the correct changes and then when I told them to fix it to reflect the correct changes they said ok well that will be an extra $50, well no it won't because when I was told all the changes...
Read more had been done the price I was quoted was cheaper right down to being told someone would be calling me on the day of my renewal to finalize details of my payment method and also because they have over quoted my renewal, and I need to go over my policy again before finalizing payment just in case their are further mistakes. I got no phone call, I got a text message saying your policy renewal will be automatically taken today, well good luck with that because their is no money in the account I used last year, nor do I trust you guys to take out the the cheaper quote I was given when you still sent me my renewal with the incorrect more expensive price. AND to add insult to injury after the last 5 weeks of dealing with Budget Direct, well this has broken me, I mean severely broken me, their incompetence and wrong information and wrong pricing etc on a supposed legal document IE your insurance papers. My renewal was due to be done and paid for on or around the 3rd August, I contacted budget yesterday to see why my payment still had not been debited from my account and all I was told was ( your insurance renewal has already been done 2 days previously) so I queried as to how can my renewal be done and yet 2 days later my payment had not been taken, they said my payment will be taken out some time next week from Monday 8th August onwards, so I then questioned, well am I still going to be insured if you haven't taken payment yet and I was explicitly told YES YOU WILL BE STILL INSURED, I contacted my bank to see if their had been any issues in regards to budget taking my payment out she said none that she could she, I told her that budget told me I will definitely be insured even if I haven't paid yet, my banker disagreed and said if you have not paid for your insurance yet you will NOT be insured until they take payment EVEN if your policy had been renewed 2 days previously, which I was thinking is correct, so I started to panic because it was 4.15 PM on a Friday afternoon and I would have no chance of moving over to another provider at short notice, so I got back onto Budget chat and asked the service agent the same question, and I quote.....I understand that I will be UNINSURED until you guys take payment even though my policy has renewed, is that correct, you need payment for me to be INSURED and the answer was...YES CORRECT, further panic set in I asked to speak to a supervisor/manager urgently and was told NO...let me help you with this !!! After much heartache the service agent finally gave me a different number to call to speak with a manager, she came to the phone and she viewed ALL of the last 5 weeks live chats, phone recordings and emails etc and she profusely apologized to me and she said Yes, I am so sorry I can see all the mistakes and wrong information and misunderstandings you where given I am so sorry this has happened to you.....Well Budget Direct, you have broken me, 5 weeks of unnecessary stress and 5 weeks of mistakes and misinformation has taken it's toll, I will NOT be recommending you to anyone, no matter how many discounts you give me, in the current climate of financial stress for everyone not just me and you think it's ok to make mistakes on my policy and then hit me up for extra money that was above what I was quoted not to mention being told on a couple of occasions that my policy was all up to date with the changes that had been made when in fact it wasn't. Please see a pic below of my live chat from yesterday were I was told I would be uninsured until payment comes out and I have since been told by the manager late last night that it is not correct, she assured me again that I will be INSURED even if they have not got my payment. Personally I don't see how, not with insurance classed as a legal document and as of this morning at 11.55am my payment has still not been taken out even though the manager said to me, your payment may come out in the early hours of Saturday morning and if not then could be Sunday or Monday or thereafter, for god sake.- Value for Money
- Transparency
- See all answers
Hi Melissa, thank you for taking the time to provide this feedback. I am sorry to read about your recent experience with us, and we can certainly investigate this further. To do so, please email us at...
Read more social@budgetdirect.com.au and include your policy number, full name, date of birth, full address and mobile number. Alternatively, we do have an online chat team available via our website at www.budgetdirect.com.au. If you contact us here, we can review the renewal and premium to ensure that we're offering the correct price. We look forward to hearing from you soon. *CameronHi Cameron
After much heartache and frustration of the last 4 weeks , it was finally sorted out today.
Regards
Melissa
Good morning Melissa. I am pleased to hear this is now sorted for you and do apologise for the frustration this situation has caused. For any further queries you may have we would be happy to help via...
Read more our Live Chat facility online from our website. Have a great day. *EveUnfair assessment and claim refusal disregarding the evidence. IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU.
I've been a Budget Direct customer on car insurance side for a while and had no reason to believe they are just a heavily marketed shiny facade with not much substance underneath. My unfortunate recent attempt to lodge a fair and substantiated home insurance claim has made me rethink this long-standing positive view of Budget Direct.
Following heavy rain in Sydney a few months back, we've had serious damage to our property garage become evident to our tenant. Building condition report indicated no pre-existing conditions that would clearly te...
Read morell us that there was some massive damage there already (otherwise we wouldn't have purchased the property to start with...). Submitted a claim, hoping for fair assessment and help from Budget Direct, waited a very long time for assessor to complete their work, got a refused claim outcome. No particular fairness or empathy was shown by the insurer in this process (that I would have seen anyway), as they've clearly disregarded our condition report and simply relied on what the run-off-their-feet assessor told them. Given these facts and experience, I just can't see how I'd be renewing my insurance policy with Budget Direct or staying their loyal customer, given how they've treated us (and will likely treat you, when it comes to the pointy end and you actually need their help).- Value for Money
- Transparency
- See all answers
Hello. Thank you for taking the time to contact us and provide this feedback. I am sorry you are dissatisfied with your claims journey. We are more than happy to investigate this for you as well as pr...
Read moreovide feedback to the person handling your claim. So we can do this please email social@budgetdirect.com.au with your claim number as the subject line. Alternatively, you are welcome to view our dispute resolution process online. * EveFind out how Budget Direct Home & Contents Insurance compares to other Home and Contents Insurance
Know better, choose better.
- 3 reviews
- 2 likes
- Verified
Don't purchase for LANDLORD insurance
The policy is rubbish for landlords. I had an "Escape of Liquid" claim whereby water was penetrating between tile grout from a shower into a cupboard. This had caused significant mould. They rejected the claim on grounds it was a maintenance issue even though - It was only reported to me once the damage had been done, never reported in an inspection report by the agent and it's illegal for me to harass the tenant by constantly requesting maintenance inspections. The insurance inspector needed to use a special machine to detect water behind ...
Read morethe tiles so I would never have picked up the issue anyway. The realestate agent told me she had similar claims with other properties - their insurance company was happy to pay for resulting damage (not the source of the leak though). The result has been 6+ weeks of black mould and damage accumulating while I have been waiting for a reply. An understandably unhappy tenant that has now decided to move out. I'll now need to rip out the whole bathroom! The claims department has really embraced the "Budget" in "Budget Direct"!- Value for Money
- Transparency
- See all answers
Good morning Jack. Thank you for taking the time to contact us and provide this feedback. I am sorry you are dissatisfied with your claims journey. We are more than happy to investigate this for you a...
Read mores well as provide feedback to the person handling your claim. So we can do this please email social@budgetdirect.com.au with your claim number as the subject line. Alternatively, you are welcome to view our dispute resolution process online. * EveEve - this post has been pending in "mediation" for 2 weeks and you did nothing about it. I have already supplied you the details as you requested 2 weeks ago. Why are you asking for this information again?
I am sorry for the confusion Jack. I am only able to see this review from a few days ago therefore, responded. If you have previously forwarded us details in relation to this matter it will be followe...
Read mored up as soon as possible however, I will contact our claims leadership team again on your behalf. Take care. *Eve- 7 reviews
- 4 likes
Good at taking your money, but not good to pay you back when you make a claim!
My home was damaged during February storm and flood as many others homes did. it took 3 months from April that I raised the issue and claimed until July that they finally refused the claim. my property been vacant last 3 months and still vacant just waiting for these idiots to investigate, send inspectors and to decide how much they going to pay you. they postponed to finalize the claim with the excuse of your house been incurred more damages and costs and been underestimated and we trying to help to get you more money! then they totally act op...
Read moreposite and coming back with rejecting the whole claim! i lost so much money as the property was vacant after the damages, the insurer keep you waiting, you couldn't touch the property and fix it and restore it back to market, so end of the day its all waste of your money and time. these people are the biggest liars of the world. not recommended at all!- Value for Money
- Transparency
- See all answers
Hello. We appreciate you taking the time to provide this feedback and I am sorry you were dissatisfied with your claims journey. We are more than happy to investigate this for you as well as provide f...
Read moreeedback to the person handling your claim. So we can do this please email social@budgetdirect.com.au with your claim number as the subject line. Alternatively, you are welcome to view our dispute resolution process online. * EvePoor claim handling
The claim officers lie and lie and keep you wait telling you, we believe the builders underquoted and underestimated the damages to your home, that is why we need to re investigate to pay the right amount so you won't be out of pocket! but at the end they just killing the time and waste your time and refusing the claim. They have amended the original report from the builders/investigators/inspectors and re word it the way to reject the claim and not paying you. be careful who yo dealing with. they are the biggest liars i have ever seen as a professional company. not trustable.
- Value for Money
- Transparency
- See all answers
Good afternoon Nazila, thank you for taking the time to provide this feedback. I am sorry to read about your recent claim experience with us, I am happy to investigate this further for you. To do so, ...
Read moreplease email us at social@budgetdirect.com.au and include your claim number, full name, date of birth, full address (including postcode) and mobile number. *NiamhToo late!
U got my name, u can search it urself!
Just wait for more reviews! That’s the start!
Thank you for responding Nazila. We understand your frustration with this matter and would be happy to investigate still. In order to do so though we do require your details as requested. Should you w...
Read moreish for this to be completed feel free to forward the email with your details such as policy number, date of birth and address including State and postcode. Take care. *EveQuestions & Answers
I just found out that I'm not insured until they take payment even if my renewal was done 2 days ago, someone please confirm this, I contacted my bank to see why my payment hadn;t been taken yet and she told me until the insurer takes payment I am UNINSURED even if my renewal has been done. I need a answer from someone ASAP. Thank you.
Good morning Melissa. Thank you for contacting us regarding this matter. We are happy to check your policy and confirm all details for you as cover would begin from your commencement date even if paym...
Read moreent has not been deducted as yet. So we can do this for you please forward a private message via Facebook or email us with your policy number and further details such as full name, date of birth and address to social@budgetdirect.com.au We look forward to hearing from you. *EveHi Eve
Your reply has come to late !!! so don’t bother thank you.
Good morning Melissa. Sorry for the delay with our response. As this feedback service is not monitored all day or on weekends it can take some time for a response. Should you have any urgent queries w...
Read moree are happy to help further via our Live Chat facility online from our website. Have a great day. *EveAre air conditioners covered
Hi Sare B, thanks for reaching out. We do provide cover for Air Conditioners as per our insured events policy, the value must be included in the Home sum insured. Please note only air conditioners/eva...
Read moreporative coolers permanently attached to the home will be covered under Home building insurance. Portable air conditioners/evaporative coolers should be included under Contents cover. Please read our Product Disclosure Statement here https://www.autogeneral.com.au/customers/find-pds/budd/home for any limits or exclusions that may apply. Have a great day! *RubyMy contents insurance wat am I covert for
If with BD virtually nothing. They will deny all claims and stall for over 6 months and then you need to go to AFCA which are funded by the insurance industry so on their side. You are better to get insurance with a better company
Hi John, thank you for taking the time to contact us regarding your Contents insurance. Page 24 of our Product Disclosure Statement outlines to inclusions and exclusions for Contents cover. This can b...
Read moree accessed here https://secure.budgetdirect.com.au/branding/resources/BUDD/legal/home/HPDSBUDD.pdf. If you have any questions regarding the coverage, please feel free to chat with us via the online chat service available on our website. *CameronGet an answer from our members and Budget Direct representatives
Details
In addition to Home & Contents Insurance, you can also get Home Insurance, Contents Insurance, Landlord Insurance, and Renter’s Insurance.
What do reviewers think of Budget Direct Home & Contents Insurance?
Reviews for the policy have mostly been positive, with the majority of reviews being 4or 5 stars. Among positive reviews, how easy it was to lodge an application online with Budget Direct was praised.
Reviewers also liked the patient and friendly customer service representatives who were there to answer all their questions and help them decide which limits they wanted. Those on this insurance also liked how they could opt out of things they didn’t need, such as flood insurance.
Some reviewers did mention that the claims process was lengthy, to both lodge and have a claim processed. There were also a few users who didn’t like the sharp increase in yearly premiums.
Category | Home and Contents Insurance |
---|---|
Other Insurance Types Offered | Car, Health, Home and Contents, Landlord, Life, Pet and Travel |
ProductReview.com.au has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence our content moderation policies in any way, though ProductReview.com.au may earn commissions for products/services purchased via affiliate links.
Good afternoon Iris. Thank you for taking the time to contact us and provide this feedback. I am sorry you are dissatisfied with your claims journey. We are more than happy to investigate this for you...
Read more as well as provide feedback to the person handling your claim. So we can do this please email social@budgetdirect.com.au with your claim number as the subject line. Alternatively, you are welcome to view our dispute resolution process online. * Eve