{"id":7817,"date":"2023-01-23T12:00:03","date_gmt":"2023-01-23T01:30:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adelaideprivatewealth.com.au\/recovering-from-a-natural-disaster\/"},"modified":"2023-01-23T12:00:03","modified_gmt":"2023-01-23T01:30:03","slug":"recovering-from-a-natural-disaster","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adelaideprivatewealth.com.au\/recovering-from-a-natural-disaster\/","title":{"rendered":"Recovering from a natural disaster"},"content":{"rendered":"
If you\u2019ve lost your home or business after a natural disaster, you don\u2019t have to go it alone. Follow these steps to start your recovery.<\/strong><\/p>\n Important: Government help for natural disasters<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Call Services Australia on\u00a0180 22 66\u00a0<\/strong>or visit\u00a0serviceaustralia.gov.au\/disaster<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n Recovering from a natural disaster will take time. There are a lot of financial decisions to think about straight away, and over the months ahead.<\/p>\n There\u2019s support to help you make a recovery plan and navigate financial decisions to get your life back on track.<\/p>\n See a financial counsellor<\/strong><\/p>\n Financial counselling<\/a>\u00a0is free, independent and confidential. A financial counsellor can help you make a plan to manage your money and prioritise your bills and other payments. A financial counsellor can also talk to creditors on your behalf and negotiate affordable payment plans.<\/p>\n The earlier you get help, the more options you\u2019ll have.<\/p>\n National Debt Helpline \u2014 1800 007 007<\/em><\/p>\n The free\u00a0National Debt Helpline<\/a>\u00a0is open from 9.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.<\/p>\n When you call, you\u2019ll be transferred to the service in your state.\u00a0<\/p>\n Mob Strong Debt Helpline \u2013 1800 808 488<\/em><\/p>\n Mob Strong Debt Helpline<\/a>\u00a0is a free service about money matters for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from anywhere in Australia.<\/p>\n The Helpline is open from 9.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.<\/p>\n Help for small businesses and farmers<\/strong><\/p>\n Small Business Debt Helpline \u2013 1800 413 828<\/em><\/p>\n If you\u2019re a small business owner whose business has been affected by a natural disaster, contact a specialist\u00a0small business financial counsellor<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Helpline is open from 9.00am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday.<\/p>\n Rural Financial Counselling Information Line \u2013 1300 771 741<\/em><\/p>\n If you\u2019re a farmer or a grower, a\u00a0rural financial counsellor<\/a>\u00a0can help you plan for recovery, negotiate with creditors and access professional services.<\/p>\n Your insurer may offer to:<\/p>\n handle repair or replacement of your home or business, or<\/p>\n<\/li>\n offer cash to settle your claim<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Cash settlements mean you have to manage the repair or rebuild process yourself, and you might be left out of pocket. Take the time to consider the best option for you.\u00a0<\/p>\n The\u00a0National Debt Helpline<\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0Insurance Law Service<\/a>\u00a0can explain what to expect during the claims process.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n If you settle your claim within a month of the event, you have up to a year to get it reassessed if you\u2019re not happy. See the\u00a0Insurance Code of Practice for more information.<\/a><\/p>\n Check with your insurer before making any repairs to your property. Your insurer may need to authorise repairs and tradespeople before they happen.<\/p>\n Government clean-up programs<\/strong><\/p>\n Find out what services you can get for free, before paying for things. The cost of clean up may be covered by your state or territory government.<\/p>\n Watch out for fake tradespeople or repairers<\/strong><\/p>\n Be careful of anyone who\u2019s door knocking, calling you out of the blue, or leaving leaflets in your letterbox.<\/p>\n Watch out for anyone offering a today-only deal or saying they can get repairs done quicker or much cheaper than legitimate companies.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t be rushed into a decision and don\u2019t pay cash up front. Take the time you need to make good decisions you won\u2019t regret.<\/p>\n If you encounter a scammer, fake tradesperson or repairer, report it to the\u00a0Australian Competition and Consumer Commission<\/a>\u00a0(ACCC).<\/p>\n If you\u2019re not satisfied with the insurance claims process or decision, dispute it with your insurer.<\/p>\n If you can\u2019t reach an agreement,\u00a0contact the Australian Financial Complaints Authority<\/a>\u00a0(AFCA) on 1800 337 444 to make a complaint and get free, independent dispute resolution.<\/p>\n For free legal advice and support, contact:<\/p>\n Insurance Law Service<\/a>\u00a01300 663 464<\/p>\n<\/li>\n WA \u2014\u00a0Legal Aid<\/a>\u00a01300 650 579<\/p>\n<\/li>\n NSW \u2014\u00a0Disaster Response Legal Service<\/a>\u00a01800 801 529<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Victoria \u2014\u00a0Disaster Legal Help<\/a>\u00a01800 113 432<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Queensland\u2014\u00a0Natural Disaster Legal Help<\/a>\u00a01300 527 700<\/p>\n<\/li>\n SA \u2013\u00a0Legal Services Commissio<\/a>n 1300 366 424<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Tasmania \u2013\u00a0Legal Aid Commission<\/a>\u00a01300 366 611<\/p>\n<\/li>\n ACT-\u00a0Legal Aid Helpline<\/a>\u00a01300 654 314<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Northern Territory \u2013\u00a0Legal Aid Commission<\/a>\u00a01800 019 343<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Source: Important note: This provides general information and hasn\u2019t taken your circumstances into account.\u00a0 It\u2019s important to consider your particular circumstances before deciding what\u2019s right for you. Although the information is from sources considered reliable, we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete.\u00a0You should not rely upon it and should seek qualified advice before making any investment decision. Except where liability under any statute cannot be excluded, we do not accept any liability (whether under contract, tort or otherwise) for any resulting loss or damage of the reader or any other person.\u00a0 Past performance is not a reliable guide to future returns.<\/span><\/p>\n Important<\/span> The post Recovering from a natural disaster<\/a> appeared first on MLC Contemporary<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/em><\/p>\n
Get help to make a recovery plan<\/h3>\n
Settle your insurance claim<\/h3>\n
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Rebuilding after a natural disaster<\/h3>\n
Get help if you run into problems<\/h3>\n
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Reproduced with the permission of ASIC\u2019s MoneySmart Team. This article was originally published at\u00a0https:\/\/moneysmart.gov.au\/dealing-with-natural-disasters\/recovering-from-a-natural-disaster<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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