Tasmanian bushfire claims top 500, near $50m

The Insurance Council of Australia has issued an update on the current bushfire situation in Tasmania, New South Wales and Victoria, where insured losses are stacking up by the day…

Tasmania

• Preliminary data collected by the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) shows more than 510 claims have now been received from policyholders affected by the Tasmanian bushfires, with losses estimated about $49 million. 
• Further expansion of the declared catastrophe area in Tasmania is possible given the ongoing nature of the fire situation. 
• ICA CEO Rob Whelan says it is expected that once people start to return to their homes these numbers will rise. 
• “At present we believe more than 100 properties in Tasmania have been destroyed. Homeowners must remain vigilant and follow the advice of emergency services until the danger has passed,” said Whelan. “ICA and insurance company staff are on the ground at recovery centres in Tasmania assisting policyholders with insurance-related questions.”
• The ICA has also announced a community insurance briefing for local policyholders affected by the Tasmanian bushfires. The briefing will take place on Monday, January 21 from 3pm to 5pm, at the Dunalley Hotel. It will cover aspects of the recovery process for insured property owners, including claims management, claims assessment and dispute resolution.

New South Wales 

• No significant property loss in the state 
• Whelan said: “Despite NSW experiencing more than 140 bushfires yesterday, at this stage there has been no significant property loss in the state. However, property owners must remain on guard, with the weather bureau expecting hotter conditions to return.”

Victoria

• The Initial estimate for bushfire damage in Victoria yesterday is $9 million. 
• Whelan said: “A small number of properties near Chepstowe, including a homestead, have been destroyed. Insurers continue to monitor the situation and are ready to respond to any developments.”

The ICA disaster hotline is operating to help people affected by the bushfires who are not sure which insurer they are with, or who have general inquiries about the claims process.