Insurers encourage clean-up following widespread NSW flooding

*Other LGAs across NSW with less than 30 claims.

With recovery underway for many impacted communities, insurers are reminding policyholders that it is okay to begin clean-up – you don’t need to wait for an assessor to visit your property.

The advice for clean-up is:

• Discard items that can’t be replaced, particularly soft materials. These can pose a health risk if not removed. What policyholders can do is take photos or cut a piece of the damaged item (i.e. carpet) and keep that to show the assessor.
• Document the damage. Take photos, videos and notes of all damaged items, including serial numbers where relevant.
• Talk to your insurer and lodge a claim as soon as you can, even if you don’t yet know the full extent of the damage.

Residents of Taree are reminded the Insurance Hub will be in action from Tuesday at the Taree Leagues Sports Club.

Representatives from a range of insurers and the ICA will be on the ground to meet with impacted homeowners and businesses and discuss their personal claim and share advice on the claims process.

Quotes attributable to ICA CEO Andrew Hall:

While clean-up is well and truly underway in many communities, safety is always the number one priority. Flood waters can bring debris and cause electrical damage, so we encourage locals to take extra precaution and follow advice of local authorities.

We're looking forward to getting to Taree next week and helping people get back on their feet. I encourage any impacted policyholders to come along and speak with your insurer.

We're also in discussion with the New South Wales Reconstruction Authority about having an insurer presence at local recovery centres across the Mid North Coast. We'll communicate this information as soon as plans are in place.

A list of FAQs can be found at the back of this release.