Sinking Hope For Flood Car Insurance
Newcastle Herald
Saturday August 25, 2007
A FLASH flood submerged Amber Gourley's Ford Festiva more than two months ago, leaving her husband stranded in waist-deep water and family life disrupted.
Her plight was shared by thousands of Novocastrians during the June long weekend storms, but unlike many, Mrs Gourley is still waiting for her insurance payout.Delay after delay has seen the family have to fight for what they say is their rightful $5300. "By the third week I was still being patient, but it's been so long now and I'm really peeved off," Mrs Gourley said.The Waratah West family, including husband Matthew and 10-month-old son Cody, are surviving with their second car but the disruption is affecting their work, lives and even health, she said."The baby has been sick twice with a cold . . . and I believe it's taking him out in the cold at 5.30am to drive my husband to work that has caused it."Mrs Gourley works at Maryland while Mr Gourley works early mornings at Waratah.Mrs Gourley said she was told by her insurer, Western QBE, that her claim had been approved and on three occasions was told the money was deposited into her account. It hadn't. She said she knows of others still waiting.Western QBE did not return The Herald's calls. Tess Campbell
© 2007 Newcastle Herald
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