Tuesday, 15 November 2022

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has declared a Significant Event for parts of Central West NSW impacted by significant flooding since Saturday, 12 November.

The ICA's preliminary catastrophe processes have been activated, assisting the ICA and insurers to assess the insurance impact of the current flood event.

Under a significant event declaration:

• The ICA commences its claims data collection, analysis, and reporting processes in consultation with members.
• ICA representatives will continue to work with government and agencies to understand impacts on the community and ensure affected residents receive assistance.
• The ICA’s disaster hotline is activated 1800 734 621; offering assistance to policyholders if they are uncertain of their insurance details or have general enquiries about the claims process.

This event may be escalated to an insurance catastrophe if there is a significant increase in claim numbers or complexity, if the geographical spread of this event is extended, or in consultation with insurers.

The impact of flooding has been felt most significantly in communities surrounding Central West NSW, in particular Cowra, Forbes, Condobolin, Eugowra and Molong.

This remains an unfolding weather event and insurers’ priority is community safety. We strongly encourage all those impacted to put their safety first and adhere to evacuations orders.

If your property has been impacted, please contact your insurer as soon as possible to commence the claims process, even if you do not know the full extent of damage.

Quote attributable to ICA CEO Andrew Hall:

Communities in Central West NSW are bearing the brunt of significant flooding, and for many this is a recurring event with Forbes experiencing its third devastating flood event in the past four weeks.

The dramatic footage of Wyangala Dam shows the scale of water and potential damage local communities may face in coming days and given this is still very much an active emergency, the full extent of damage may not be known by residents until they’re given the ‘all clear’ to return home following widespread evacuations.

Insurers stand ready to support impacted communities when they need it most and our Significant Event declaration allows us to better monitor and assess this event, so insurers can best respond.

Friday, 11 November 2022

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) will host a ‘town hall’ information evening on Wednesday 16 November at the 4 R’s (Rochester Lawn Tennis Club) from 5.00pm – 8.00pm for insurance customers impacted by the recent severe weather and floods in Rochester and surrounding areas.

The town hall style information session will provide policyholders with general information on the claims process, complaints avenues and offer useful insurance-related information to assist with insurance claims and the recovery process.

Representatives from the ICA, Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), Arc Justice and insurers will be available to answer policyholder questions.

This information session will cover:

• Overview of the floods
• Claims process and next steps
• Support available
• Insurance terminology
• Frequently asked questions
• Q&A from the audience

Registration is essential. To book go to insurancecouncil.com.au/RochesterBookings

Quote attributable to ICA CEO Andrew Hall:

To date there have been more than 11,300 claims lodged across Victoria, with more than 9300 property claims and 1590 motor vehicle claims.

The ICA and insurers understand the recent trauma the community has experienced with the flood and encourages Rochester policyholders impacted by the devastating event to come to this ICA hosted event to hear invaluable information that will help people with their claims and the insurance process.

We understand it is difficult for some to attend, and so the ICA has produced an online Virtual townhall which provides general advice and helpful tips to navigate the clean-up, recovery and claims process.

Thursday, 10 November 2022

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) and insurers will be available in parts of Brisbane and northern New South Wales in late November to meet flood-impacted customers who may need assistance with their insurance claims.

Insurers continue to manage and close claims, with more than 62 percent of the more than 236,400 claims now finalised from the severe weather and flood of earlier this year.

The in-person meetings are a further opportunity for customers to discuss their claim, and to work through any issues they may be experiencing with their insurer at a time that suits them. 

Customer meetings will be held from midday to 8pm on:

• Wednesday 23 November at Moorooka Community Centre, Moorooka
• Thursday 24 November at Sandgate Townhall, Sandgate
• Monday 28 November at Woodburn Memorial Hall, Woodburn
• Tuesday 29 November at Lismore Workers Sports Club, Goonellabah
• Wednesday 30 November at Ballina RSL Club, Ballina 

Appointments are essential. To book go to insurancecouncil.com.au/bookings 

The cost of this year’s floods across south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales is $5.56 billion, making it Australia’s equal most costly natural disaster ever.

Quote attributable to ICA CEO Andrew Hall:   

It’s nine months since heavy rainfall and swollen rivers led to destructive flooding across South-East Queensland and northern New South Wales.  

The ICA and insurers will be available in coming weeks to meet with customers in Brisbane and northern New South Wales, providing an opportunity to discuss the specific details of their claims and next steps. 

We know many customers attended the consultations held in May and September to meet with ICA representatives and their insurer. 

While insurers are always available by phone or web channels we understand that many people prefer to discuss their claims in-person, so we are ensuring there is another opportunity for this face-to-face interaction to occur.