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Insurers to meet virtually with storm affected Gippsland and Yarra Ranges locals

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Insurers to meet virtually with storm affected Gippsland and Yarra Ranges locals

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News release

Monday, 10 January 2022

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) will host virtual one-on-one consultations for Gippsland and Yarra Ranges policyholders affected by the June 2021 severe weather event. The virtual video or phone consultations can be booked with ICA representatives or insurers and will take place on Thursday 20 January 2022 from 9am – 8pm.

The decision to hold virtual rather than in-person consultations was made by the ICA and insurers to ensure participant safety due to the current Covid environment. Using technology gives storm affected policyholders the opportunity to discuss the progress of their claims now rather than waiting until the current situation eases.

Bookings are essential for the 30-minute virtual consultations with ICA representatives and insurers. To book go to Catastrophe 214: Victorian Severe Storms & Flooding - Insurance Council of Australia or insurancecouncil.com.au/VicStormsJune21

Insurers have received more than 32,000 claims from the Insurance Catastrophe that was declared on 13 June 2021, with losses estimated at $281 million. More than 90 per cent of claims are from householders for storm and water damage.

Quote attributable to Andrew Hall, CEO, Insurance Council of Australia:

The Insurance Council of Australia has made the decision to offer individual virtual consultations based on the health and safety of all participants. Virtual face-to-face policyholder meetings are not practice and ICA representatives and insurers would prefer to meet in person with policyholders at community events. However, the current Covid environment has necessitated this move to meet the needs of those policyholders who need assistance with their insurance claim sooner rather than later.

 

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Insurers on the ground to provide Seroja claims assistance

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Insurers on the ground to provide Seroja claims assistance

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News release

Friday, 27 August 2021

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) and insurers will meet with policyholders requiring assistance with their claims in TC Seroja impacted communities next week. Claims managers and assessors will travel to the worst hit towns over four days to meet with their customers.

The one-on-one consultations will be held at outdoor venues and will follow Covid-19-safe protocols in Kalbarri, Northampton, Mingenew and Morawa.

  • Kalbarri                       Tuesday 31 August                10am to 1pm
  • Northampton              Wednesday 1 September      10am to 1pm
  • Mingenew                   Thursday 2 September          9am to 12pm
  • Morawa                      Friday 3 September               10am to 1pm

Registration is essential. Go to insurancecouncil.com.au/CycloneSeroja to book an appointment.

The ICA also has a virtual one-on-one consultation portal for insurance customers who are unable to attend the consultations next week and need assistance with their claims.

To date there have been 6,751 claims lodged related to TC Seroja, with 99.67% per cent accepted and more than 46% per cent closed. The current estimated loss value is $281 million.

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Disaster chasers prey on flood and storm affected homeowners

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Disaster chasers prey on flood and storm affected homeowners

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News release

Friday, 18 June 2021

Insurers are urging householders in flood and storm ravaged areas of regional Victoria to identify and report disaster chasers to government authorities or police. 

Media reports today state that following last week’s destructive winds, rain and floods, disaster chasers have started door-knocking damaged homes, seeking to exploit vulnerable householders. 

Reports state that disaster chasers are offering tree and debris removal for which want to be paid upfront in cash but leave without doing the work or the work is poorly done or not completed. Disaster chasers can also offer to undertake home inspections or repairs for cash payment.  

These operators may not have a building licence, trade qualifications, professional indemnity insurance or an ABN. In the past some have been known to use standover tactics to demand money and they may falsely claim they have been sent by an insurer. 

Some disaster chasers pressure the householder to sign a contract for repair work on the spot and may promise that the insurer will pay for all work. This can leave the customer with an inflated bill or commission to pay, because insurers will only pay for approved work that is covered by a policy.   

Identifying disaster chasers and reporting them to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) will help bring them to account. And if they threaten, harass or intimidate anyone, police should be notified immediately. 

Tips for identifying and dealing with a disaster chaser: 

  • An insurer will not send a tradesperson or builder to your home without notifying you and providing you with details  
  • Speak to your insurer before agreeing to any repairs or rebuilding work to make sure your insurer will cover the work 
  • A tradesperson or builder who is working for your insurer will not ask you for payment 
  • If in doubt, ask for identification such as a builder’s licence or driver’s licence, and ring your insurer to check 
  • If you sign a contract with a disaster chaser, you have a statutory 10-day cooling-off period. Your insurer can help you end the relationship with the disaster chaser 

Insurers have received more than 15,700 claims from this event, with an estimated cost of $144 million. With several areas not yet accessible to assessors, insurers expect claims to rise in coming days.  

Quote attributable to Andrew Hall, CEO: 

Unfortunately, disaster chasers can emerge soon after a natural disaster and target householders who have been affected.  

They can leave families, the elderly and vulnerable Australians much worse off, with large bills and homes that remain badly damaged.  

The ICA urges anyone who is approached by a disaster chaser to call the relevant authorities.  

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Insurers here to assist hailstorm affected customers with claims

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Insurers here to assist hailstorm affected customers with claims

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News release

Thursday, 20 May 2021

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) and insurers will host one-on-one consultations in Springfield Lakes for local customers affected by last year’s Halloween Hailstorm.

The consultation is an opportunity for customers to speak directly with members of their insurer’s claims team about their individual scope of works and repair process specific to their property. The consultation is also an opportunity to understand the insurance recovery process.

What: Customer consultations with insurers or the ICA recovery team.

When: Thursday 17 June from 10am to 7pm

Address: Springlake Hotel, 1 Springfield Lakes Blvd, Springfield Lakes

How to book: Book online at Catastrophe 204: Halloween Hailstorm - Insurance Council of Australia or call 1800 734 621.

This is a COVID-safe event, registration is essential for customer consultations with insurers.

Quote attributable to Andrew Hall, CEO, Insurance Council of Australia:

The consultations are an opportunity for insurers and the ICA to speak directly to customers about their personal circumstances and claim progress.

Insurers can assist homeowners impacted by the Halloween Hailstorm who would like a better understanding of rebuilding timeframes and agreement of scopes of work.

The insurance industry knows the ongoing impact the Halloween Hailstorms have had on the Ipswich region. These consultations will help insurers and customers understand what’s needed to complete repairs and finalise claims.

Insurers have received more than 42,000 claims to date, with more than 2,000 claims lodged in the past eight weeks. The current estimated loss is at $980 million.

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Catastrophe 204: Halloween Hailstorm
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Look out, disaster chasers about

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Excess payments via SMS

We are not aware of any insurers who seek excess payment via SMS.

If you're ever in doubt about a payment request via text, email or phone, contact your insurer directly.

Look out, disaster chasers about

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‘Disaster chasers’ typically present themselves in a disaster impacted area shortly after an event occurs but can also appear months later. They may door knock neighbourhoods, claiming to have identified damage at your property or premises, or in some very bold cases they may claim that they are here at the behest of your insurance company. 

Disaster chasers might do the following:

  • Claim to be able to identify damage to your property that you were unaware of, sometimes by way of a free inspection
  • Ask for money up front
  • Promise to get the repairs done in a short amount of time
  • Promise to get the repairs done for an amount that is far below legitimate competitors’ bids
  • Not have insurance or necessary licenses
  • Ask you to sign a contract, on the spot
  • Claim that they will be able to get your insurer to pay more for an insurance claim than you could manage yourself

Top tips for identifying or dealing with a disaster chaser

  • Insurers will not send a tradesperson or builder to your property or premises without notifying you and providing you with details. 
  • Speak to your insurer before agreeing to any repairs or rebuilding work to make sure your insurer will cover it.
  • If in doubt, ask for identification such as a builder’s licence or driver’s licence, and ring your insurer to check.
  • Don't sign contracts with a disaster chaser if they door knock.
  • If you have signed a contract, there is a cooling -off period, your insurer can help you end the relationship with the disaster chaser.

If in doubt, report any suspicious activity to government authorities or police.

Look out, disaster chasers about

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We acknowledge the Traditional Owners on the many lands the people of the ICA reside and work. We respect and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Elders past, present, and emerging.
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