A grandfather from the Central Coast of New South Wales, Wayne Hegarty, is in despair nearly three years after a devastating house fire, despite having insurance coverage. The blaze, caused by an electrical fault in 2022, destroyed his home and left him to grapple with the loss of precious memories and possessions. At age 65, Hegarty believed he would soon be back in his house, as he received assurances from his insurer, NRMA, that the rebuilding would be completed by Christmas 2023.
The rebuilding process was initially handled by ABC Group, a company specialising in insurance rebuilds. However, Hegarty has become increasingly frustrated as work has stalled, with long periods of inactivity and a half-finished home that has succumbed to neglect. He reports issues like mould, rodent infestations, and incomplete installations, including a bathtub precariously supported by dirt and a water heater left on a concrete slab.
Now living in a small demountable on his property, Hegarty has made repeated complaints to both NRMA and ABC Group but feels his concerns have gone unaddressed. The state of the unfinished property and the ongoing financial burden have added to his distress.
In response to Hegarty’s situation, ABC Group expressed understanding and sympathy regarding the delays, citing several factors that have contributed to the halt in progress. These included the discovery of buried gas cylinders requiring a safety audit, a lengthy approval process from the local council, and adverse weather conditions that complicated access to the site. They have assured Hegarty that they are committed to moving forward with the project and rectifying defects identified in the construction.
NRMA has acknowledged the unacceptable delays in the rebuilding process and has apologised to Hegarty. They stated that a technical assessor had recently communicated with him to address his concerns and that an independent consultant has been appointed to evaluate the necessary repairs. NRMA confirmed that they are prepared to cover accommodation costs while the renovations are completed, and they prefer to work with their partner builders to ensure high-quality repairs with a lifetime warranty.
As Hegarty continues to wait for his home to be restored, he remains hopeful yet anxious about when he will finally be able to return to a living environment free from the troubles that have plagued him since the fire.