Cairns car thefts: Suncorp insurance nightmare for stolen vehicle victim

A Bellenden Ker man’s car theft nightmare has been compounded with his insurer slapping him with a $1000 excess bill because he cannot supply the thief’s contact details.

A BELLENDEN Ker man’s car theft nightmare has been compounded with Suncorp slapping him with a $1000 excess bill because he cannot supply the thief’s contact details.

Almost two months have passed since Antony Roth’s Hyundai i30 was stolen and crashed into the ocean at Second Beach near Yarrabah.

A man was taken to hospital in a serious condition after the smash, which had such force that the engine was catapulted clean out of the car.

Bellenden Ker resident Antony Roth had his 2016 Hyundai i30 stolen from his home and written off. The process of dealing with his insurer has turned into a nightmare, after he was unable to provide the driver details, police have withheld information as the driver hasn't formally been charged, and he was hit by a $1000 excess bill and a premium increase of $900 per year. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Only about six inches of the roof was out of the water,” Mr Roth said.

“They must have been flying because it went off an embankment and was about 65m out to sea.”

Mr Roth has not been paid out and, making matters worse, the “unlimited” hire car clause in his insurance policy has proven to be a misnomer.

A Hertz representative called to say his time was up and hit him with a one-day rental bill for returning the vehicle late. Adding injury to insult, Mr Roth knocked a gash into his head on the door while refuelling the car to return it to the rental agency.

Bellenden Ker man Antony Roth copped a nasty head wound after a rental car door swung shut while he was at the service station. Picture: Supplied

He has also been told his premium will increase significantly because of the claim.

All the while, Mr Roth has been caring for his elderly father who has regular medical appointments in Cairns.

“They expect me to pay a $1000 excess, and then have my premium go up from $800 to $1700. I am the victim and yet they continue to treat me like a criminal,” he said.

“I’m sure I can’t be the only one in this predicament. Cars are being stolen on a daily basis in the Cairns area.

“Friends in Townsville and Cairns are living in a constant nightmare of having their cars stolen for joy rides up and down the coast along the Bruce Highway.

“Are they also being forced to contribute large excess payments to be able to claim on their policies?”

A backpack left at the scene after Bellenden Ker man Antony Roth's car was stolen from his home in early December. Picture: Supplied

A Queensland Police spokesman confirmed the theft took place but said an investigation was still ongoing.

Mr Roth said he had spent hour upon hour pleading with phone operators for a sensible outcome, all to no avail.

“Every week, I have been amazed at how bad it continues to be … ” he said.

A Suncorp spokeswoman said efforts were being made to deal with the issue.

“We are looking to finalise Mr Roth’s claim in the coming days and we apologise for the delay,” she said.

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Originally published as Cairns car thefts: Suncorp insurance nightmare for stolen vehicle victim