The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) – along with insurers, reinsurers, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and other government bodies – held discussions on the insurance industry’s response to ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
The meeting focused on claims processing, support for affected policyholders, and collaboration between insurers and government agencies.
According to industry reports, insurers reached out to more than 250,000 customers in southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales before the cyclone made landfall. Policyholders were provided with safety information and guidance on lodging claims. Insurers also increased staffing levels, activated disaster response teams, and prearranged temporary accommodation and builder networks to assist affected residents.
As of midday on March 12, insurers had received more than 34,000 claims related to storm-driven water damage, localised flooding, and food spoilage caused by power outages.
Preliminary data indicated that insurers have distributed nearly $2.4 million in emergency payments to approximately 6,000 policyholders to cover immediate expenses such as food and temporary housing.
While insurers had initially expected high volumes of severe wind damage claims, early assessments suggest that storm-related water damage and food spoilage are the most common issues reported.
“This ongoing dialogue with our partners in government is crucial to ensuring that resources are deployed to where they are needed most,” said ICA CEO Andrew Hall.
The ICA has warned residents in affected regions about unlicensed contractors, often referred to as “disaster chasers,” who may approach homeowners offering debris removal or home repairs in exchange for upfront cash payments. Some of these operators pressure residents into signing agreements that may not be covered by insurance policies, potentially leaving them responsible for additional costs.
Residents are advised to check the credentials of any contractor before authorising work and to contact their insurer to confirm coverage before committing to repairs.
IAG had received more than 4,000 claims as of March 12, primarily related to property damage caused by wind and water ingress.
The company has deployed additional claims specialists from across Australia and New Zealand, expanded its partner builder network, and is providing emergency accommodation and financial assistance to policyholders in need.
Suncorp had received approximately 7,800 claims as of March 11, including over 2,100 food spoilage claims.
The insurer has deployed mobile response teams and assessors to support affected customers. A portion of these claims fall within the scope of the federal government’s Cyclone Reinsurance Pool, which covers damage sustained up until 6am on March 10.
RACQ has pledged $1 million in aid to support affected families, community groups, and sporting organisations. The funding will be allocated to food relief efforts, emergency supplies, and grants to assist recovery efforts.
As of March 11, the insurer had received 7,447 claims, with the highest volumes coming from Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
The ICA has emphasised the importance of resilience and disaster mitigation strategies to address the increasing frequency of extreme weather events. It has also reiterated calls for coordinated efforts between the insurance sector, governments, and communities to improve disaster preparedness and recovery planning.
The total cost of insured losses from ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred has yet to be determined, and insurers continue to assess the extent of property damage and claims.
The ICA’s catastrophe declaration ensures that claims from affected policyholders will be prioritised, with additional support measures in place to streamline the recovery process.
