Insurance Australia Group (IAG), encompassing brands such as NRMA Insurance, CGU, WFI, and ROLLiN’, has deployed Major Event Specialist teams to assist customers and communities affected by the severe flooding in North and Far North Queensland. According to a news release, these teams aim to provide on-the-ground support, including damage assessments, emergency repairs, and arranging immediate assistance.
IAG said that it received 571 claims across its brands between Jan. 26 and Feb. 12, primarily from areas including Ingham, Cardwell, and Kirwan.
“Our teams are supporting hundreds of affected customers in North Queensland,” said IAG managing director and CEO Nick Hawkins. “Our assessors and partner builders have continued moving further into flood-affected areas as soon as they were safe to access, with the priority of ensuring our customers are safe and we can help them get back on their feet.”
NRMA Insurance executive general manager of claims Luke Gallagher emphasised the importance of reaching all impacted customers. “Our specialist teams are deployed across the region so our customers can sit down with our consultants to discuss their claim, and the range of support measures we have available,” he said. “Our assessing teams are visiting customers who we believe may have been impacted to check their safety, provide immediate help and to begin the recovery and repair process as quickly as possible.”
In addition to immediate assistance, IAG is advising customers on making their homes more resilient during repairs. This includes using waterproof materials for floors and walls and elevating electrical outlets to mitigate future flood damage.
Customers impacted by the flooding are encouraged to contact their insurer to access support services. IAG has set up support centres at the Townsville Sports Stadium and Cardwell Community Hall, operating daily from 9 am to 4 pm, where claims personnel are available to assist with lodging claims, arranging temporary accommodation, and providing emergency financial assistance.
For those returning to flood-affected homes, IAG advises waiting for clearance from emergency services before commencing cleanup. IAG noted it’s important to document property and content damage with photographs or videos to support insurance claims.
If you’ve been affected by the floods or have insights on the recovery process, share your experience in the comments or reach out with any questions about available support.
