Thousands of people in towns across north Queensland continue to suffer the impacts of record breaking rain and flooding. Even as some flood levels start to drop, reports say 10,000 properties remain without power. The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) says the current claims count stands at more than 1,400. However, with numerous towns and settlements still cut off, insurers and brokers expect the number of claims to rise.
When Insurance Business spoke to broker Paul Glasby, he was looking for a helicopter to reach the town of Ingham.
“At this stage, roads are closed from the north and south, we are researching boat or helicopter access into Ingham so we can support our staff and clients up there,” he said.
Glasby is Townsville-based business development manager for North Queensland Insurance Brokers (NQIB). He said his firm has hundreds of customers in this town about 100km to the north.
“They include residential, commercial and rural customers,” said Glasby.
He described the flooding as “catastrophic” and said flood, rainwater and wind were all driving claims.
“Initially a lot of it's going to be food spoilage as a result of no power because the substation was inundated and they had to cut off power to about 7,000 premises,” said Glasby.
The broker said his firm understands that some insurers are mobilising claims teams from both Townsville and Cairns.
“Some are basing themselves in Townsville from the south and others at Mission Beach from the north until they can get access to Ingham,” he said. “However, the Seymour River, north of Ingham, will remain flooded for a while longer.”
Glasby said a bridge on the Bruce Highway, the main artery from the south, had washed away.
“It could be a little while before they can get access to Ingham,” he said.
The firm has also been told that roads to the town from inland are likely to be inaccessible. That’s why his firm is looking for a helicopter.
“It will fly us in from Townsville to Ingham,” he said. “At this stage it’s about getting us in to help people on the ground.”
Glasby said he’s volunteered to be part of his firm’s team once they secure a helicopter or a boat.
“Yes, I’ve volunteered to mobilise when needed and be there for the weekend as well,” he said.
The plan is to stay open through the weekend.
“We are hoping our office will be open at limited capacity tomorrow for our customers regardless of if we have power, phones, water or not,” said Glasby.
Some of the firm’s seven staff in Ingham work remotely. He said their homes are flooded.
“They’re cut off at this stage, without power, phone or water,” said Glasby.
The firm’s office in Ingham is an old bank building (pictured above).
“The floor is raised and it appears we’ve had some damage to air conditioning and water through the roof and ceiling,” he said.
Major insurers are deploying resources to the region. One of Suncorp Group’s (Suncorp’s) Mobile Disaster Response Hubs, a caravan purpose-built to reach customers in weather events, left Brisbane on Monday.
Insurance Australia Group (IAG) has said its claims teams and partner builders will be on the ground to support impacted customers “as soon as it is safe to do so.”
At this stage, it is uncertain how close these response teams can actually get to the flood zone and their customers.
“Insurers understand the impact of these extreme weather events and will be moving quickly to ensure communities receive the assistance they need as soon as possible,” said Andrew Hall, the ICA’s CEO in a media release. “We are working with the Queensland authorities and will keep the community updated as situations evolve.”
Are you an insurance broker in a flood impacted part of north Queensland. Please tell us what your main challenge is?
