The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA), in collaboration with insurance providers, has announced a second round of public meetings in South-East Queensland (SEQ) for the upcoming week.
This initiative is part of an ongoing effort to assist residents impacted by the severe weather events over the Christmas and New Year period. The storms, which struck between Dec. 23 and Jan. 3, prompted a significant response from the insurance sector, with personnel providing direct assistance at local recovery hubs.
The upcoming sessions, set to occur in Jimboomba, Upper Coomera, and Tamborine from March 19 to 21, build upon previous consultations conducted in January. Designed to offer an open forum for affected individuals, these meetings enable policyholders to engage directly with their insurers, gaining insights into the claims handling process and receiving specific advice on their own claims.
The ICA recently reported a significant uptick in claims related to the December-January storms, with 18,000 additional claims filed in the last month alone. The total cost of insured losses has now reached approximately $968 million across nearly 90,000 claims, indicating the extensive impact of the storms on the community.
The consultation sessions serve as a crucial element of the declared catastrophe response, providing a pathway for policyholders to understand and navigate the complexities of the insurance claims process. The specifics of the forthcoming events are as follows:
Those looking to attend are encouraged to make an appointment through the ICA's dedicated booking site at www.insurancecouncil.com.au/bookings. The ICA also reminds policyholders that they can reach out to their insurance provider at any time for queries or updates regarding the status of their claims.
Andrew Hall, CEO of the ICA, remarked on the continuous increase in claims, pointing out the storms' significant toll on both residences and businesses throughout SEQ. He stressed the insurance industry's commitment to supporting affected policyholders.
“Insurers remain committed to assisting impacted customers to get back into their homes safely and as quickly as possible, which is why providing guidance and support on the claims process at these in-person events is so important,” he said. “We know that 28% of claims have already been closed, which shows that insurers are actively working with local authorities, builders, suppliers, and engineers to expedite repairs to get communities back on their feet.”
This week, insurers are conducting in-person consultations with flood-affected policyholders in Far North Queensland.
