As parts of North Queensland begin the recovery process while others remain submerged, the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) and insurers are ramping up in-person support across affected communities in Ingham, Cardwell, Mission Beach, Tully, and Innisfail.
Two insurers have set up at the Community Recovery Hub in Ingham, with more expected to join once road access stabilises. Policyholders can visit the hub at Ingham’s TAFE on Townsville Road for daily assistance.
The scale of damage is significant, with insurers receiving more than 5,690 storm and flood-related claims since the weather event began on Jan. 29. However, with floodwaters still cutting off parts of the region, ICA CEO Andrew Hall stressed that safety remains the priority.
“While the clean-up is beginning for some parts of North Queensland, for others this very much remains an active weather event. Ongoing rain is seeing opened roads re-close and causing further inundation to already saturated communities,” Hall said.
In Townsville, insurers continue to offer in-person support at the Insurance Hub in Townsville Stadium, where residents have been receiving guidance from Suncorp, RACQ, IAG, Hollard, Allianz, QBE, and Youi. The hub also hosts the Red Cross, Lifeline, the Salvation Army, Small Business and Financial Counsellors, and the Department of Communities, providing a broader range of recovery services until February 15.
“The ICA and its members are committed to providing on-the-ground support but are prioritising the safety of both the local community and its own team members,” Hall said, adding that residents should lodge claims as soon as possible, even if they are still assessing damage.
To avoid potential disputes, ICA advised policyholders to take photos of damaged or water-soaked items before discarding them and to create a detailed list of damaged belongings, including brand, model, and serial numbers if available.
In addition, residents should not throw away items that might be repairable unless they pose a health risk. Consulting with insurers before authorising any building repairs is also important, as some work may require approval to be covered under a policy.
“As soon as it is safe to do so across broader parts of the region, insurers will ensure their availability to speak with policyholders about making a claim and answer any questions about the claims process,” Hall said.
