Insurance losses from Cyclone Ita are estimated at $8.4m so far and insurers, by noon yesterday, had received 680 claims, according to the ICA.
ICA CEO Rob Whelan said insurers were prioritising cyclone claims and he urged policyholders whose properties had been damaged to contact their insurer as soon as possible to start the claims process.
Insurance assessors yesterday started entering North Queensland communities affected by Tropical Cyclone Ita. Whelan said: “Teams of assessors arrived in Cairns before Cyclone Ita hit in anticipation their services would be required. Now, as roads reopen, they are among the first non-emergency services people entering these communities when it’s declared safe to do so.
“The ICA has also sent a disaster recovery specialist to the region. He reached Cooktown [yesterday] to liaise with local authorities, help identify any insurance-related issues and resolve these where possible.”
Whelan said the ICA also supported the warnings from Queensland Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie about door-to-door scammers offering unsolicited repairs.
“Contact your insurer before authorising any repair work or hiring tradespeople,” Mr Whelan said. “Unauthorised repairs may not be covered by your insurance policy. Be aware that unscrupulous people may try to take advantage of disaster victims. If in doubt about whether a tradesperson or builder has been sent by your insurer, contact the company.”
At an investor day yesterday,
IAG CEO Mike Wilkins said: “Our thoughts are with the customers who have been affected by this. We already have people on the ground dealing with the claims of customers. It is too early to put a figure on this event but we don’t think it will be material to use and it will fall well short of our reinsurance retentions.”
The ICA offers the following general advice to affected policyholders:
- Contact your insurance company as soon as you can, and seek advice about the claim process under your policy, as well as what you’re covered for. Many insurers have 24-hour call centres
- Don’t be concerned if insurance documents are not readily at hand. Insurance companies keep records electronically and require only the policyholders’ name and address to find a policy
- Take pictures of damage to the property and possessions as evidence for your claim assessor
- Speak to your insurer before authorising repairs. Emergency repairs should only be undertaken in the first instance to make the property safe
- Remove and discard damaged goods from your property that pose a health risk (but take pictures first)
- If possible, keep samples of materials and fabrics to show the assessor
- Store damaged or destroyed items somewhere safe
- Make an inventory of damaged possessions. This will help insurers process your claim
The ICA’s disaster hotline – 1800 734 621 – can help affected residents who are not sure which insurer they are with, or who have general inquiries about the claims process.
