Rick Maloney, a homeowner in Mooroopna, Victoria, faced a two-year struggle to receive insurance payouts after his house was flooded in 2022. During this time, his home deteriorated, with mushrooms growing between the floorboards. Maloney's experience reflects a broader trend in Australia, where insurance complaints have surged to 100 per day, driven by delays in processing claims. According to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), home-building insurance complaints have reached an average of 24 daily in the first quarter of 2026, the highest since the 2022-23 period. The delays are attributed to a shortage of materials and builders, compounded by rising costs due to global events, including the ongoing US-Israel conflict. AFCA's lead ombudsman, Emma Curtis, noted that nearly a quarter of all complaints stem from processing delays, affecting vulnerable customers who often find themselves without adequate support or temporary housing. The Consumer Action Law Centre reported a steady influx of calls from individuals struggling to settle their insurance claims, indicating that the industry has not fully addressed issues highlighted in a parliamentary inquiry following the 2022 floods. Despite claims that insurance companies are working to improve their processes, many customers, like Maloney, continue to face significant challenges in obtaining the support they need.