An Australian insurer is urging customers affected by the bushfires that have swept through South-eastern Tasmania to make immediate contact with their broker and lodge a claim.

CGU Insurance have told customers to its 24-hour claims hotline on 13 24 80, or speak to their insurance broker or adviser.

Donna Walker, CGU’s general manager of claims, said the company was taking all necessary steps to support customers as they came to terms with the devastation caused by the fires. 

“Our first priority is to assist customers with their immediate needs such as temporary accommodation and other emergency assistance,” she said. 

“As Australia’s largest regional and rural insurer, we expect a number of the people who have lost homes will be our customers. We will do everything we can to support them and the impacted communities. We have staff located at the Hobart Relief Centre who can help respond to customer needs,” added Walker.