While Rick waited for his insurance payout, mushrooms sprouted in his flooded Victorian home. He’s not alone (opens in new tab)

Exclusive: Insurance complaints are at record levels as Australian industry struggles with delays on ‘everyday’ claimsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWhen Rick Maloney’s home in Mooroopna, Victoria flooded in 2022, he had to fight for two years before his insurer paid to fix the damage. In that time, the building sank into the soft earth and mushrooms grew between his floorboards.“I had the skirtings coming away from the walls, I had the cracking in the walls … [but...