We are hearing from Bernadette Heald, whose home in NSW's Hunter Valley was damaged in a severe storm in April 2015.

She was insured with Suncorp and filed a claim by telephone the day after the storm.

A building inspector did not attend until the next month.

There was structural damage and the Heald's were concerned for their safety, as some bricks were cracking.

Ms Heald says her daughter suffers from anxiety and became distressed. She struggled to contain her emotion as she described trying to reassure her daughter when "did not know herself" if the house was safe.