As some areas in Australia remain flooded, IAG is among the insurers that has provided impacted customers and communities across multiple states with support.
In a statement, the insurance giant and its brands – NRMA Insurance (NRMA), CGU, and WFI – offered assurances that they were ready to move into flood-affected areas as soon as it was safe.
Luke Gallagher, executive general manager of direct claims at IAG, said the insurer’s major event response team was equipped and ready to deploy its national team of assessors, builders, and claims consultants across the country to help customers on the ground in Western Australia (WA), South Australia (SA), and western New South Wales (NSW).
Commenting on the recent extreme weather event, Gallagher said: “It’s devastating to see Australian communities continue to experience the impacts of severe weather and, more recently, these terrifying flood events across the country.
“We’re triaging claims as soon as they’re received and contacting customers to discuss their situation, as well as the immediate help and support that we can provide. Our assessors and builders will be on the ground in the impacted communities once it’s safe to enter the flood-affected areas. This will include conducting emergency make-safes to secure damaged homes and to plan the repair or rebuild process, which will get underway as soon as possible.”
Western Australia
The community in the Kimberley region of WA experienced some of the worst flooding on record following Tropical Cyclone Ellie, which moved through Broome and Fitzroy Crossing in early January, with the resulting floods declared an emergency situation.
Last week, Bankwest and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA or CommBank) provided emergency assistance for flood-affected areas in the Kimberley region.
As of writing, SA had nine emergency flood warnings for communities along the River Murray. Further floodwater rises downstream are expected to continue until mid-January, affecting Mannum, Murray Bridge, and Wellington.
In the far west of NSW, Menindee is under an evacuation order due to flooding along the Darling River, with flood levels expected to reach 10.5 metres this week.
IAG encouraged residents in affected regions to stay safe and alert by listening to their local emergency authorities’ advice and evacuating if necessary. It also advised policyholders who are safe and have phone or internet access to lodge their claims as soon as possible so the insurer can provide essential and immediate support, such as temporary accommodation and emergency financial assistance.
“The severe floods we’ve experienced over the past few years, and underway now, not only place lives at risk but have tragic consequences resulting in the loss of life,” Gallagher said. “Please follow the advice of the emergency authorities, never drive through floodwaters, and we urge our customers to contact us as soon as possible for immediate support.”
