NRMA Insurance, the country’s leading domestic insurer, has topped an online list of Australia’s most complained-about companies as well as being one of its most complimented.

A national poll by consumer website Notgoodenough.org founder Fiona Stewart says the survey accepts complaints directly from the general public. Complex transactions and contracts with plenty of fine print and exclusions were among the greatest sources of ire – leaving insurers at an early disadvantage.

“We find that insurance is one of the most complained-about industries,” she said.

An NRMA Insurance spokesman says the company is concerned about Notgoodenough’s findings.

“We take customer complaints very seriously,” he told Sunrise Exchange News. “When we do receive a complaint, we do everything possible to resolve it.”

He says 2005 saw the company’s lowest customer complaints level since its parent IAG was listed in 2000.

Notgoodenough.org also found NRMA to be Australia’s ninth most complimented company in 2005. Dr Stewart says this is a common discrepancy – given many of the companies involved are large organisations with extensive customer bases and significant public interaction.