The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has declared a ‘Significant Event’ for regions of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria impacted by severe storms between 23 December and Boxing Day.
As per reports, the severe storms brought torrential rains which caused flash floods, large hailstones, and violent winds.
Ten people have lost their lives so far, with tens of thousands of properties still without power.
According to the ICA, insurers have received more than 7,500 claims related to the storms across the three aforementioned states.
Under the significant event declaration, the ICA explained that it will now commence its claims data collection, analysis, and reporting processes in consultation with members.
The Council’s representatives will also “continue to work with government and agencies to understand the impacts on the community and ensure affected residents receive assistance.”
ICA COO, Kylie Macfarlane, commented, “The insurance industry has made this Significant Event declaration to activate services and support for affected homeowners, motorists and businesses and reassure them that their insurer is there to help.
“It’s too early to understand the full extent of the damage in affected areas and to estimate the insurance damage bill, however, we know there has been a significant number of homes and vehicles damaged as a result of the storms that hit from 23 December to Boxing Day.
“As more extreme weather is expected in the coming days, insurers’ priority is community safety. We strongly encourage all those impacted to put their safety first and adhere to evacuations orders.”
Elsewhere, Suncorp Group’s Executive General Manager of Home Claims Customers, Alli Smith, said that from 23 – 27 December more than 3,000 home and motor claims were lodged with the firm across Queensland, New South Wales, ACT and Victoria.
Smith added, “These storms have been destructive with cyclone level winds, large hail and heavy rainfall causing a lot of damage to some parts of the east coast.
“The most impacted suburbs have been Rutherford in the Newcastle region, Runaway Bay and Coomera on the Gold Coast, Orange in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales, and Gatton in the Darling Downs of Queensland.”
Suncorp noted that it is assisting customers following the destructive storms and has urged caution with more storms forecast.
