Insurers have received more than 44,000 claims following ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) reported today.
While claims types differ from region to region, pre-event concerns about large numbers of severe wind damage claims have not been realised, with some customers in localised areas making flood claims and many more thousands of customers across the path of the event making claims related to storm-driven water damage and food spoilage due to power outages, the Council said in a statement.
Insurers are on the ground assisting customers across the impacted zones in Coffs Harbour, Lismore, Ballina and Tweed Heads in NSW, and across Redlands, Hervey Bay, Logan, Brisbane and the Gold Coast in Queensland.
The Council says claims made by policyholders across both states were being prioritised by insurers with additional claims consultants stood up and interstate builders sourced.
“While the devastation caused by ex-TC Alfred wasn’t as significant as predicted, we know that for many, the road to recovery will still be a long one,” said Insurance Council of Australia CEO, Andrew Hall.
“I want to assure impacted communities that insurers are working hard to assess claims and get people back on their feet as soon as possible. It’s the reason insurance exists.
“We’re continuing our engagement with all levels of government and response agencies and this will remain throughout the region’s recovery process.”
The ICA is also continuing to remind locals about the presence of ‘disaster chasers’ operating in impacted communities.
Disaster chasers may offer to undertake work such as tree and debris removal, requesting payment upfront in cash but often leaving work poorly done or incomplete. They can often pressure homeowners to sign a contract on the spot for future repair work and may promise their insurer will pay, the Council warns.
Insurers will only pay for approved work that is covered by a policy. Anyone uncertain should seek guidance directly from their insurer.
