Insurance Investigation Report

Name: Altez Building Inspections
Address: Suite 5, Level G/99 Coventry St, South Melbourne, VIC, 3205, Australia
Telephone: +61499899890
Price range: $$
Rating: 4.9

Have you experienced water damage from a leaking roof, burst stormwater pipe, or another unexpected building defect? Are you planning to lodge a claim with your insurance company, or has your claim already been denied for reasons that are unclear to you? This is the time to engage Altez Building Inspections as your independent building consultant to help you understand and resolve your situation.

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At Altez, we provide unbiased, expert opinions to support insurance claims related to storm damage, structural issues, water ingress, or other building failures. We have extensive experience working with both homeowners and insurance providers, offering professional insight and technical reports that are factual, standards-based, and tailored to the specific issues at hand.

By working across both sides of the industry—policyholders and insurers—Altez is uniquely positioned to offer a balanced and pragmatic approach. We understand how insurers assess claims and can help homeowners navigate the technical language and procedural requirements that often create confusion or lead to unjustified rejections.

Our role is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the circumstances leading to the damage, referencing construction standards, maintenance history, and environmental factors. Our reports are prepared in accordance with relevant codes and practices, including the National Construction Code, Australian Standards, and applicable insurer requirements.

Whether your goal is to challenge a denied claim, submit a more robust application, or simply understand your rights and responsibilities, Altez delivers clarity, confidence, and independent guidance to help you move forward.

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Case Study 1: - Insurance Claim Dispute – Roof Leak and Internal Water Damage

Background

A homeowner in Doncaster contacted Altez Building Inspections after experiencing significant water ingress during a heavy storm event. Water had leaked through the ceiling, damaging plasterboard, timber cornices, and internal finishes in two bedrooms and a hallway. The homeowner promptly lodged a claim with their insurer, citing storm-related roof failure.

However, the insurance company denied the claim, stating that the damage was due to "poor roof maintenance" and was not covered under the storm damage provisions of the policy.

Altez Involvement

The client engaged Altez to carry out an independent forensic assessment of the property. Our qualified inspector conducted a detailed site inspection and reviewed the roof construction, flashings, valleys, and drainage system. Key observations included:

Recent roof repairs completed to standard

No evidence of long-term deterioration or neglect

Blocked downpipe outlet due to excessive rainfall, leading to water backflow

Roof sheeting compliant with AS 1562.1 and no signs of installation failure

We compiled a comprehensive insurance investigation report, including high-resolution photos, site observations, relevant weather data, and references to Australian Standards and the National Construction Code.

Outcome

The homeowner submitted our report as part of an appeal to the insurer's internal dispute resolution team. The insurer reversed its original decision and approved the claim in full, covering the cost of repairs and internal restoration works.

Key Takeaway

Altez’s involvement helped bridge the gap between technical evidence and insurance policy interpretation. Our independent, fact-based report provided the clarity the insurer needed to re-evaluate the claim fairly.

Case Study 2: Partial Insurance Settlement Secured Despite Pre-existing Footing Issues

Background

Following a period of heavy rainfall, a homeowner in Berwick observed extensive water ingress affecting the subfloor, lower wall linings, and skirting boards in multiple rooms. Mould growth was also detected on plasterboard and flooring materials. The homeowner lodged an insurance claim, believing that a stormwater outburst had contributed to the sudden damage.

However, the insurer denied the claim outright, asserting that the damage was due to poor footing performance and site drainage management. Their position was that the property’s ongoing foundation settlement and historically poor subsoil conditions disqualified the homeowner from receiving coverage under their policy's storm-related provisions.

Altez Involvement

Altez was engaged to carry out a forensic site inspection and prepare an expert report. Our assessment included:

Visual and moisture testing of internal and subfloor materials

Analysis of site drainage, including grading, stormwater pipe layout, and overflow discharge points

Review of engineering reports, soil classification, and historical movement data

Identification of water staining, mould development, and damage consistent with recent stormwater surcharging

Although we acknowledged that the footing system was marginal, and pre-existing settlement had contributed to the site's vulnerabilities, we clearly identified that the stormwater drainage system had failed under abnormal weather conditions, causing sudden water intrusion. We demonstrated that certain water-damaged and mould-affected elements (such as skirting, plasterboard, and flooring) were a direct consequence of the storm event and not a gradual deterioration issue.

Outcome

Our report enabled the homeowner to challenge the insurer’s blanket denial through an internal review. While the insurer maintained their position on footing movement, they accepted our argument that some of the water damage was attributable to a specific insured event.

The insurer agreed to partially settle the claim, covering the replacement of skirting boards, targeted wall repairs, and mould remediation, which would otherwise have been dismissed. This outcome allowed the homeowner to recover thousands in costs that were previously rejected.

Key Takeaway

Altez helped the client navigate a complex dispute where partial liability was obscured by broader site conditions. Through a balanced and evidence-based approach, we helped ensure that the insurer acknowledged and acted on the insured event’s contribution to the damage—resulting in a successful partial settlement.

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