The Victorian earthquake has caused preliminary estimated losses of $147 million, the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) says following an influx of claims.

Figures supplied to insuranceNEWS.com.au show that by late yesterday 9850 claims had been lodged for the 5.9 magnitude event that struck near Mansfield on September 22.

Geoscience Australia says the earthquake was the largest to hit Victoria since 1900 and probably since European settlement. It was felt hundreds of kilometres away from the epicentre.

IAG says it has received 2745 claims for property damage. The most impacted areas in Victoria were Berwick, Wangaratta and Craigieburn, a spokeswoman says.

“Our partner builders and suppliers are completing emergency make-safe repairs in-line with the Victorian Government COVID-19 guidelines and processes,” the spokeswoman told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

“Our assessors and repairers are also on the ground helping impacted customers who have damage to their properties.”

Allianz has received almost 1600 claims with estimated losses of over $21.5 million. The claims have come from a very wide geographical area including Victoria, NSW and SA.

Early lodgement of claims was mostly for minor damage such as fallen cornices and damage to plaster and render, ICA said shortly after the event.

Parts of Melbourne lost power after the quake while a brick wall partially collapsed in the Chapel St restaurant and retail precinct in Melbourne.