Debbie insurance claims hit $897m
MOST of the insurance claims stemming from Cyclone Debbie have been lodged and paid out.
The category four system struck Airlie Beach on March 28, leading to mass evacuations and causing widespread damage across Bowen, Mackay, the Whitsundays, Rockhampton, Logan, the Gold Coast and down to Lismore in NSW.
Insured losses across Queensland and NSW have hit $897 million.
Insurers have received 56,135 claims with about 90% coming from Queenslanders.
Insurance Council of Australia communications manager Campbell Fuller said he expected a few more claims to trickle in.
“Most of the claims have already been dealt with,” Mr Fuller said.
“Most of it has been for personal, home and contents, cars and boats.
“A proportion of the claims will be for damage to business property and things like business interruption.
“Insurers are well-advanced on where you would expect them to be – they really have their foot to the floor trying to get the repairs done.”
Mr Fuller said shortage of supplies and builders and difficulties relating to remote areas would delay some claim payouts.
He said it was impossible to predict if Cyclone Debbie would create increased premiums.
“It will be up to each company to determine what impact it will have on premiums,” Mr Fuller said.
“With a one-off event like this it is unlikely to have an impact on premiums because most insurers make provisions for cyclones and it was forecast that this was going to be a nasty cyclone year.”
You can read amazing stories of hope and inspiration in our special publication, Defying Debbie.
Featuring heroes who helped overcome adversity in March and April, this gloss 132-page book costs just $7.50 and all of the proceeds of the sale will help our regions rebuild.
The money will be donated to the charity Givit.org.au, which is delivering goods and services to those in need in both states.
Produced by The Chronicle and News Regional Media, with the support of Suncorp, the book follows Debbie’s trail from Bowen to Lismore and features the stories of the State Emergency Service, first responders, the armed forces, volunteers, and especially everyday people who stepped up in a time of need.
The devastating winds and consequent floods left 10 dead and one missing and cost more than $1 billion.
Debbie crossed the coastline of Queensland on March 28 but even after its initial rampage which battered Bowen, Mackay and the Whitsundays, the ex-tropical cyclone continued to cause havoc as
it dumped massive amounts of rain through South-East Queensland and into Northern News South Wales.
Despite all it could throw at us we stepped up and there have been some astounding tales of heroism.
Make sure you pick up your copy by phoning 1300 361 604 to order direct over the phone (open between 8am-5pm Monday to Friday). Please note a $4 postage fee applies for phone orders.