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All About Real Insurance (source: Information found on reviews websites and their own website)

 

Real Insurance is a part of the Hollard group of companies. The Hollard Group has offices in South Africa, the United States, the UK, Australia and throughout South East Asia and provides a wide range of insurance products and services to more than 5 million policyholders worldwide.

Since opening in Australia in 1999, the Hollard Group has issued more than 150,000 policies with more than $2 billion worth of assets insured. The Hollard Group is regulated and licensed by APRA (the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority) and ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) Australia's insurance regulatory bodies. You can learn more about Hollard Insurance from our corporate website. Need info on Real Insurance Greenslips or need to save on Real Car Insurance?

Recent Reviews from the Product Review website:

August 18th, 2009

Pros: I don't think I have found anything yet.

Cons: Only interested in taking your money not helping you with anything else.

Overall: After a vehicle accident in which my wife rolled her vehicle on a bend we submitted a claim. It appeared that nothing was happening so contacted the rep by email and phoning. Emails were never answered and phones calls went to message bank and never returned. Finally got through and no valid explanation except been busy. They left my wife without a vehicle for 4 months whilst they stalled payment until we started calling every day and complaining. Then they paid but even then dragged it out with illogical explanations. Avoid this company and may I add I am sick to death of seeing their ads. Also the new ads we are seeing for Seniors Insurance read the fine print ... yup .. it's REAL again !

July 21st, 2009

Pros: Reduced costs for combined Home & Content & car insurance.

Cons: These rates went up the following year more than the previous insurer. Then told we could not re-insure 1 car after a claim for a smashed driver window as this was termed as " attempted theft! though the car was still on our property. Then told our verandah roof which partially blow off in a storm was due to neglect!?!?.

Overall: After months of phone calls and being told that we could not claim we finally got $1300 towards our roof though they would not pay for someone to come & fix it and I had to insist that an assesor come out and inspect the damage. Yet in the policy it state cover for storm damage (read the fine print) Best advise GO SOMEWHERE ELSE

June 17th, 2009

Pros: Appear cheap, heavy advertisers means they look strong

Cons: If they spend the most and are the cheapest, will they be around long enough to pay a claim

Overall: They are a privately owned South African company with a reputation for not paying claims. If they have to they pay REAL SLOW. And they try to get you to pay excess even if not your fault. Currently they are apparently clocking up huge losses in Australia as they are new and now the claims are starting to pile up. They are endeavouring to write loads of new policies to bring in the cash. This sounds like a house of cards to me. And a great big pyramid scheme. Not unlike HIH, Estate Mortgage, Australian Capital Reserve, Fincorp et al. Something about a 10 foot pole...REAL Insurance...NO THANKS

Pros: I was looking at purchasing life insurance today. However I wondered why real insurance do not have a product disclosure on their site. After reading about the previous reviews, it looks like I will not waste my time purchasing any insurance form real life insurance.

Cons: No product disclosure, the real life bonus is to suck new customers in. People not being paid insurance after a mishap.

Overall: I would definitely not buy insurance for real life after reading how customers have been unfairly dealt with. I would recommend a life insurance company like MLC or Tower, my friend passed away and her husband was paid out by MLC, Tower has been around for over 150 yrs. Good luck everyone.

May 12th, 2009

Pros: At first, cheaper than other Insurers, which was what I was looking for.

Cons: Where do I start? I now know why it was a lot cheaper. As many other of the reviews mention, try making a claim! I am currently in the process of a dispute with them, re a car accident claim. They have denied it, but I am now dealing with the Ins. ombudsman. They denied my claim due to wording of a question on their on-line application, and my subsequent answer to this particular question.

Overall: DON'T DON'T DON'T insure with REAL. They are not worth the drop in the premiums, and I am now back with my previous Insurer (AAMI) who I was with for years, and NEVER had a problem with. Should never have left them. REAL?? Really hopeless!!

April 22nd, 2009

Pros: Cheap

Cons: Still waiting after 3 months for a claim made after a robbery. Staff are the inverse of helpful and NOT ONCE have I received a phone call from these people. The external claim investigator that they flew to my house from another state would have cost more than the claim!! As soon as (if ever) this claim is finished I will be cancelling my policy with Real. This company is not worth your time.

Overall: My experience with Real was great up until I made a claim. I have been met with nothing but resistance on every front during the life time of my claim. I have not once received a call from these people after making 11 calls to follow up on my claim. The claims staff are incredibly rude and short and are the exact inverse of the Real Friendly people the on-hold dialogue is trying to tell me. The cheap cost to insure your contents is a definate plus, but whats the point if you can't make a claim? I will be cancelling my policy with real as soon as this claim is finished. I am very unimpressed with this company and am surprised that more negative press has not been prevalent in the media about it.

From Complaints Board Website:

Mikz
I am still with REAL Insurance however I am actively looking for something else. My wife rolled her vehicle last year so naturally we contacted REAL immediately. We were contacted by a representative to assist with the claim. We submitted everything required and as time went along Iwas hoping to be informed as to the progress but nothing. So I contacted the rep both by email and also phoning. Emails were never answered and phones calls always went through to her message bank which likewise were never answered. I was very lucky at one stage where she picked up the phone finally but gave no explanation as to why nothing had been answered except that she was busy. My wife went without a vehicle for four months before they finally paid the claim as they had written off the vehicle. Very dissapointing and obviously they work their staff hard to the point where they are unable to service their clients. Oh by the way they are very attentive in sales and are quite happy to take your money. My recommendation, steer clear of these guys and go with a reputable brand name ! These guys do things on the cheap and you get what you pay for.
 

Bob
I have same exprience as Mikz had.
I contacted the case manager both by email and also phoning. Emails were never answered and phones calls always went through to her message bank which likewise were never answered. I been called few days latter but she gave no explanation as to why nothing had been answered except that she was busy.
the customer service is really crap they are rude arogant .
Do not go with this insurance .

On a more positive spin.....

Happy Testimonials from Real Insurance Website:

Real Insurance Customers
Here at Real we love to hear from our happy customers!

Have a look at how we helped these customers, and saved them money!

“Having received a bonus cheque after 3 years was great. It was great to receive it just before Christmas time so I could go and buy presents, not just for the kids, but for the whole family. I recommended Real to my in-laws, my friends, to everybody that I possibly could, so that they could save money just like I have saved money.”
Mary D'Amico, NSW

“On my home insurance I saved over $200 dollars, and on my motor vehicle insurance $180. The other insurance companies said they just couldn’t match the price.”
Doris Borg, NSW

Other Insurers To Be Reviewed:

ANSVAR INSURANCE
APIA
AUSTRALIAN UNITY
CGU
COMMINSURE

MUTUAL COMMUNITY
QBE
RAA
RACT
RACV
SGIC
SGIO
SUNCOPR METWAY
TIO