The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has officially declared Tropical Cyclone Seroj an insurance catastrophe.
Seroj impacted parts of Western Australia after making landfall late Sunday April 11.
The ICA says the coastal town of Kalbarri took the brunt of the tropical cyclone, as did the community of Northampton.
The ICA’s Catastrophe declaration is intended to ensure insurance claims from the impacted areas of Western Australia are prioritised by all insurers.
For example, claims from affected policyholders will be given priority by all insurers.
Furthermore, claims will be triaged to direct urgent assistance to the worst-affected property owners.
“TC Seroja has severely damaged, homes, businesses, communications, and road infrastructure as well as the electricity service, across a number of West Australian communities,” said Andrew Hall, CEO, Insurance Council of Australia.
“Access to areas north of Geraldton is limited, so it is too early to understand the extent of the damage to property in the affected region.”
