The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has reported over 22,400 claims following ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
According to ICA data released on March 11, Queensland accounts for 20,665 claims, including 18,914 related to residential properties. In New South Wales, 1,735 claims have been submitted, and the numbers are projected to increase in the coming days.
ICA chief executive Andrew Hall stated that insurers are prioritising claims from affected customers.
“Claim numbers are rising daily with people assessing the damage to their properties and businesses. Insurers are committed to prioritising claims made by customers affected by this ongoing weather event,” he said.
The ICA has advised residents to exercise caution when returning to flood-damaged properties. Key recommendations include:
Homeowners are not required to wait for an insurance assessor before starting clean-up efforts. However, they should retain repairable items where possible and notify insurers before disposing of any significant damaged property.
Several insurers have deployed additional resources to manage the surge in claims.
As of March 10, RACQ reported 2,739 claims. It has mobilised additional teams to handle the increased volume.
Managing director and CEO David Carter noted that emergency repairs are already underway.
“We have a strong network of assessors, suppliers, and builders across all of the impacted regions who are being mobilised to manage the repairs,” he said.
NRMA Insurance has opened temporary claims lodgement centres at Bunnings locations in Robina, Oxenford, and Tweed Heads.
CEO Julie Batch said the move is aimed at making the process more accessible.
“We want to make it as easy as possible for customers to lodge claims, and we anticipate many community members are likely to visit Bunnings over coming days to get supplies to enable them to commence clean ups around their properties,” she said.
Allianz received more than 1,330 claims as of March 10, with numbers expected to rise as residents regain access to their properties.
National manager for disaster and recovery Scott Cooper said many customers are still assessing damage, but Allianz’s teams are ready to assist as soon as they can lodge claims.
“Allianz customers can lodge a new claim online or on the phone 24/7, and we’ve set up a dedicated phone line to assist customers over 75 years old,” he said.
Suncorp recorded approximately 7,800 claims as of March 11, including more than 2,100 related to food spoilage.
CEO Steve Johnston confirmed that emergency financial assistance is available and urged policyholders to submit claims online as soon as possible.
“Our investments in disaster management capability and claims resources have left us well placed to prepare, respond, and support the recovery,” he said.
Insurance brokers are playing a critical role in guiding clients through the claims process.
Steven Hill, Queensland representative for the National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA), shared insights into the current situation.
“We will play the extremely important role of ensuring our clients homes, businesses, clubs, and places of gathering are returned to how they were before Ex-Cyclone Alfred. We will guide and assist clients and ensure insurers stay on track to fulfil the promise we make when cover is purchased,” he said.
