Australia’s insurers have reported receiving nearly 3,000 claims in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Alfred and the severe storms that followed, according to the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA). The claims, which began flooding in on February 28, reflect the widespread damage caused by the storm system.
The ICA has officially declared an Insurance Catastrophe for southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales, acknowledging the severity of the event. ICA CEO Andrew Hall emphasized that while it is still too early to fully assess the extent of the damage, the initial claims represent just a fraction of what’s expected.
“Insurers have received around 3,000 claims over the past two days, and we anticipate many more thousands as residents return to their homes and assess the full scale of the damage,” Hall said in a statement.
Despite weakening before landfall, Cyclone Alfred left a trail of destruction, with affected areas experiencing power outages, heavy rainfall, widespread flooding, and falling debris. The worst-hit regions include the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Hervey Bay, and the Northern Rivers, though the catastrophe declaration applies to all claims related to the event since February 28.
The catastrophe declaration allows insurers to fast-track claims from affected policyholders and deploy disaster response teams. Claims are being prioritized, with urgent assistance directed to the most severely impacted property owners.
The ICA has also mobilized an industry taskforce to manage the response and ensure that policyholders receive the support they need. Representatives are working closely with local agencies and emergency services, with further assistance to be provided once it is deemed safe for recovery efforts to begin.
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