Bereaved Israeli Mother and Daughter Fight Insurance Over Home Mortgage Coverage

Anna Bungart and her daughter Avlina from Karmiel are struggling to pay their home mortgage after losing family members in tragic circumstances. Their eldest daughter, Sophia, was killed in the October 7 terror attack near Be'eri, where she and her friend Liraz Nissan hid in a bomb shelter before being shot. Months later, in February, Anna's husband Vladislav, overwhelmed by grief and guilt over not being able to save Sophia, took his own life.

Following these losses, Anna and Avlina have faced a grueling battle with insurance companies that refuse to cover the remaining mortgage balance of approximately 370,000 shekels. The family had switched insurance providers shortly before Vladislav's death, unknowingly triggering a one-year waiting period for suicide coverage. As a result, the new insurer Menora denied the claim due to this waiting period, while the previous insurer canceled the policy upon the switch.

Anna, who immigrated from Ukraine in 2006 with her husband, had worked hard to build a stable home for her family. Now, she is left to care for Avlina, who suffers from severe post-trauma symptoms, while also fighting bureaucratic obstacles. Despite the insurer offering a partial payment of 50,000 shekels, Anna emphasizes she is not seeking special treatment but compassion and fairness.

Legal aid attorney Maya Itkin represents the family and describes the difficulty in obtaining support from insurance companies and regulators. In response, the family has launched a crowdfunding campaign to help cover the mortgage, fund mental health treatments, and secure a safe home. Anna appeals to the public and decision-makers to ease the financial burden so she can focus on raising her daughter and rebuilding their lives after immense loss.