Making a Claim

The Claims process for all Duck for Cover claims is managed through our brokers, Steadfast IRS Pty Ltd (formerly IC Frith Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd).  The information below is provided by Steadfast IRS in order to assist you in understanding how the claims process works, and to provide some guidelines on how to proceed if you need to make a claim.

General Claim Information
Public and Product Liability Insurance Claims
Professional Indemnity Insurance Claims
Performing Equipment Insurance Claims
Performing Equipment: Common Issues
Personal Accident Insurance Claims
Personal Accident: Common Issues
 

general claim service for ALL claims

Our broker Steadfast IRS Pty Ltd (formerly IC Frith Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd) have a dedicated Claims Team who handle all insurance claims on behalf of Duck for Cover members.

To achieve claim settlement as expediently as possible will:

• Discuss with the insured member the general nature of the potential claim.
• Check the member’s insurance details to establish the coverage and extensions taken by the member will respond to the incident being claimed.
• Assist insured members submit their insurance claim
• Facilitate claim settlement with the relevant insurer

Steadfast IRS’s intention for ALL Duck for Cover member claims is to make the process as simple as possible.

In order to initiate the Claims process, please contact:
Candy Woods
Claims Executive
Steadfast IRS Pty Ltd
Tel: 02 8850 8708　
Fax: 02 9034 5500
cwoods@steadfast-irs.com.au

If you are not satisfied with the claim service being provided by Steadfast IRS you should contact our Insurance broker within Steadfast IRS and he will review your claim and respond to both you and to Duck for Cover.

Broker Contact:           
James Finucane
Account Manager
Steadfast IRS Pty Ltd
Tel: 02 8633 8804
Fax: 02 9034 5500
jfinucane@steadfast-irs.com.au

If you are still not satisfied with the claim service being provided you should advise Duck for Cover who will review your claim and respond to you accordingly.

Duck for Cover:             
Anne Colman
Tel/Fax: 03 9439 5991
admin@duckforcover.com.au

If you are still not satisfied, you will be provided with access to the relevant insurers Internal Dispute Resolution (IDR) officer to progress the matter further.

In summary, if you have a valid insurance claim under any of your Duck member Insurance policies, our Insurance broker will act on your behalf with supporting insurers to get the claim paid.
 
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public and product liability insurance claims

Scenario:

I have caused injury someone else (or damaged their property) while I was performing and I am worried someone will sue me. What should I do?

Answer:

Your Public / Products Liability policy will either defend or settle accepted claims that are made against you relating to Third Party bodily injury or property damage arising out of your performing / teaching activities.

Procedure:

Whether you become aware of an incident that may result in a claim or whether you have received correspondence indicating that someone is claiming against you for a past incident that occurred during your insured policy period, you should advise Steadfast IRS Insurance brokers of the claim immediately.

Once established that a potential valid claim exists, Steadfast IRS will work on your behalf to obtain an acceptance of the claim by your insurer so that either a defence can be submitted or if the claim is order, for your insurer to negotiate a settlement with the claimant.

Steadfast IRS will request you:

• complete and return the required claim form Public Liability Incident Report Form
• attach all relevant additional information including demand, writ, summons, proceedings, impending prosecution or inquest and all documents relating to the claim;

During a claim you have certain duties which include:

• Do not make any admission, offer, promise or payment in connection with any Occurrence.
• Use your best endeavours to preserve all property, products, appliances, plant, and all other things which may assist in the handling of the claim.
• When requested provide details of any other insurances current at the time of any Occurrence that might also provide you with insurance protection.

For full details of the benefits, terms and conditions and exclusions that may apply to this policy, please refer to the relevant Policy Schedule and Policy Wording available in The Official Bits. 

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professional indemnity insurance claims

scenario

I am being sued because my teaching was allegedly not up to standard. What should I do?

answer

Your Professional Indemnity policy will either defend or settle accepted claims that are made against you relating to Third Party financial loss arising out of your teaching activities that are first notified against you and reported to your insurer in the current policy period.

procedure

Whether you become aware of an incident that may result in a claim or whether you have received correspondence indicating that someone is claiming against you for a past incident, you should advise Steadfast IRS Insurance brokers of the claim immediately.
Once established that a potential valid claim exists, Steadfast IRS will work on your behalf to obtain an acceptance of the claim by your insurer so that either a defence can be submitted or if the claim is order, for your insurer to negotiate a settlement with the claimant.

Steadfast IRS will request you:

• Provide an email detailing the circumstances that have resulted in this potential claim
• Attach all relevant additional information including demand, writ, summons, proceedings, impending prosecution or inquest and all documents relating to the claim;

During a claim you have certain duties which include:

• Do not make any admission, offer, promise or payment in connection with any Occurrence.
• When requested provide details of any other insurances current at the time of any Occurrence that might also provide you with insurance protection.

For full details of the benefits, terms and conditions and exclusions that may apply to this policy, please refer to the relevant Policy Schedule and Policy Wording available in The Official Bits. 

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performing equipment insurance claims

scenario

I have suffered Loss or Damage to my Performing Equipment. What should I do?

answer

If you have paid for this extra coverage available to Duck members, your Performing Equipment Insurance policy will cover your Performing Equipment that is stolen or damaged but only in certain specific circumstances.

procedure

As soon as you become aware of an incident that is likely to result in a claim you should:

• take all reasonable steps to prevent further loss or damage;
• notify the Police immediately if any of Your property is stolen or maliciously damaged;
• advise Steadfast IRS Insurance brokers of the claim immediately

Steadfast IRS will advise if the loss or damage that is being claimed is covered by your insurance policy. This initial opinion is of a consulting nature only and is intended to save you time if the event you want to claim is not insured by the policy.

Once it has been established that a potential valid claim exists, Steadfast IRS will work on your behalf to obtain a prompt and reasonable claim settlement from insurers. Steadfast IRS will request you:

• complete and return the required claim form Performing Equipment Claim Form
• attach your repair or replacement quotations for the claimed item(s);
• report stolen or maliciously damaged items to the police and provide the police event / report number.
• provide proof of ownership relating to the item being claimed
  (the original purchase receipt would be ideal but a previously prepared inventory or a photograph of the item with a statement would normally be accepted as proof of ownership);
• provide any helpful photographs relating to the incident
  (eg. if the claim is for a burglary – a photo showing the forced entry to door or window would assist);
• Assist with further verification where required
  (this may include inspection of your property or location or asking additional questions, or providing written statements);
• keep items that have been damaged
  (allowing insurers to inspect them or assess repair costs); and
• allow insurers to take possession of damaged property that is the subject of a claim
  (where total loss of damaged items is paid by insurers they can dispose of salvage).

For full details of the benefits, terms and conditions and exclusions that may apply to this policy, please refer to the relevant Policy Schedule and Policy Wording available in The Official Bits. 

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performing equipment: common issues

question

What are some of the common issues regarding Performing Equipment Insurance claims?

answer

Steadfast IRS's claim team will help you determine if the loss or damage that occurred is claimable on your policy. A few of the points that would be considered include:

• The basis of settlement under the policy is Market Value not Replacement Value.
  This means that claims settlement will take into account age and condition of the insured item at the time of the loss.
• Only Performing Equipment is insured.
  Personal Electronic devices are only covered if they are used exclusively for performing purposes.
• The policy covers Specified Perils Only
  The Insured perils covered are Fire, lightning, explosion, storm, Flood, earthquake, impact, malicious damage, vandalism, Collision or overturning of a conveying Vehicle, Theft resulting from forcible and violent entry to vehicle or storage location including Home.
• The standard policy covers Performing Equipment anywhere in Australia.
  Your policy can be extended to Worldwide through the Accidental Damage Extension.
• The standard policy excludes Accidental Damage.
  Your policy can be extended to provide this extra coverage through the Accidental Damage Extension.

For full details of the benefits, terms and conditions and exclusions that may apply to this policy, please refer to the relevant Policy Schedule and Policy Wording available in The Official Bits. 

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personal accident insurance claims

scenario

I have suffered an injury while performing and won’t be able to work for some time. What should I do?

answer

If you have paid for this extra coverage available to Duck members, your Personal Accident Insurance policy will cover you for your lost performing/teaching income as a result of an injury which occurred while you were performing, rehearsing or teaching (and including direct travel to and from).

procedure

As soon as you become aware of an incident that is likely to result in a claim you should:

• Seek medical advice.
  Your benefits will only be paid from the date you first seek medical attention
• Advise Steadfast IRS Insurance brokers of the claim immediately.
  Steadfast IRS will ensure the injury that is being claimed is covered by your insurance policy. This initial opinion is of a consulting nature only and is intended to save you time if the event you want to claim is not insured by the policy.

Once it has been established that a potential valid claim exists, Steadfast IRS will work on your behalf to obtain a prompt and reasonable claim settlement from insurers. Steadfast IRS will request you:

• complete and return the required claim form Personal Accident Claim Form
  Your treating doctor will also be required to complete a section of this form.
• attach any additional medical reports if available at the time.
• attach your Proof of earnings  (Tax returns or if self-employed company financials including profit and loss statement).

At any time after a claim has been lodged insurers may also:

• request you to undergo medical or related examinations.
• conduct enquiries into the circumstances of the claim;
• request your attending doctor or specialist to provide a progress report.

For full details of the benefits, terms and conditions and exclusions that may apply to this policy, please refer to the relevant Policy Schedule and Policy Wording available in The Official Bits. 

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personal accident: common issues

question

What are some of the common issues regarding Personal Accident Insurance claims?

answer

Steadfast IRS's claim team will help you determine if your injury is claimable on your policy. A few of the points that would be considered include:

• The initial waiting period before you can claim is 14 days
  This means that if you will return to work within this first 14 days there is no claim
• Only lost Performing/Teaching income is insured.
  If you earn an income outside your performing activities this extra income is not insured.
• The Accident Benefit will be paid for a maximum of 104 weeks to a maximum of $600 per week
  Limited to 85% of average gross weekly Performing / Teaching income.
• Only injury that occurs while performing, teaching, rehearsing (including direct travel to and from) are covered – this is not a 24/7 Income protection policy.
• The policy covers Accident Only – There is no cover provided for Sickness or illness related conditions.
• This policy does not cover medical expenses.

For full details of the benefits, terms and conditions and exclusions that may apply to this policy, please refer to the relevant Policy Schedule and Policy Wording available in The Official Bits. 

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