Insured losses from the bushfires burning through parts of Victoria since January 7 are estimated at more than $200 million across 3,123 claims, the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) said on Wednesday.
“These bushfires very much remain an ongoing event and I encourage Victorians to follow the advice of emergency services," said ICA CEO Andrew Hall in a media release.
The industry body said the figure spans a broad mix of claims, including property, motor, commercial and business interruption, with early assessments indicating the destruction is severe: about 30% of property claims are expected to be total losses.
Insurers are prioritising claims from Victorians affected by the fires, with the council forecasting that more claims will be lodged in coming days and weeks as conditions ease, access is restored and owners return to inspect homes and premises.
The ICA said insurers have already established an on-the-ground presence in several regional locations to help customers navigate the claims and recovery process, including Castlemaine, Harcourt, Natimuk, Seymour, Skipton and Yea. It added insurers would look to expand that footprint into other impacted areas once it is safe.
Hall said the scale of the disaster is stark when seen first-hand, describing widespread damage and disruption in affected communities. He said insurers were focused on supporting customers now, while also preparing to return to Victoria for face-to-face consultations in coming weeks.
For residents and business owners who have suffered damage but have not yet contacted their insurer, the council urged people to begin the claims process even if they are still unsure of the full extent of the loss.
The ICA also issued practical advice aimed at speeding up claims and preventing policyholders from unintentionally jeopardising cover. It said customers should not delay simply because they cannot locate paperwork, noting insurers can generally retrieve policies electronically with basic identifying details such as a customer’s name, address and date of birth.
If a home is unsafe to live in, the council said residents should notify local authorities and check with their insurer about whether they can claim temporary accommodation costs. It also advised people to document damage with photos or video — including of damaged contents and possessions — to support a claim.
However, the ICA cautioned against rushing into clean-up or repair work without first speaking to an insurer, warning that unauthorised building work — even emergency repairs — may not be covered under a policy.
Local federal MP Lisa Chesters said insurance would be a key plank in the recovery effort.
“Insurance will play such a big part in our community’s recovery," said Chesters.
Chesters, the Federal Member for Bendigo, said communities across the Mount Alexander Shire had seen strong support from organisations and service providers since the fires, and said governments were working with councils and frontline providers to assist residents as they rebuild. She also stressed the value of having insurance representatives on the ground quickly, including meeting people face-to-face within days of the Ravenswood/Harcourt fire.
