Suncorp has announced that it is using drones to survey damage caused by Cyclone Debbie, marking the first time the technology has been used in Australia for cyclone claims.
Drones have been used to fly over the disaster-hit areas of the state and assess the severity and extent of damage, with information filtered back to the insurer’s customer response teams (CRTs).
The technology has been used in areas that bore the brunt of Cyclone Debbie last week such as around Bowen, Airlie Beach and Proserpine. In each of these areas, the insurer has set-up CRTs to assist the hardest hit communities of the region.
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“The drone imagery gives our teams important insights into the extent of the damage in areas that are still inaccessible due to closed roads and floodwaters,” Josh Cooney, a Suncorp spokesperson said.
“With this information, we can better coordinate our response so our teams can hit the ground running.”
Due to its market share in Queensland, Suncorp is expected to be one of the hardest hit insurers following Cyclone Debbie.
Thus far, the insurer has received more than 6,000 claims from affected customers in north Queensland, as well as the south east of the state and northern New South Wales, which were both hit by historic downpours in the wake of the storm.
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