Insured losses from Queensland hailstorms have climbed to an estimated $195 million and the figure is expected to continue rising over coming weeks as residents and businesses assess damage and file claims.

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) said today that 17,000 claims have been lodged from the event, which has been declared the first catastrophe of the 2020/21 natural disaster season.

Giant hailstones struck southeast Queensland on Saturday, with suburbs southwest of Brisbane, including Springfield, Rosewood, Greenbank and Boronia Heights among those worst affected. The storms also swept into northern NSW.

The Bureau of Meteorology says hailstones as large as 13-14cm were reported, while RACQ says it was the worst hailstorm destruction since 2014.

About 60% of claims are for damage to motor vehicles and 40% for damage to houses, mainly to roofs, skylights, awnings, windows and solar panels. Interior damage also affected a significant proportion of homes.

Suncorp, which had received 3,600 claims by mid-afternoon yesterday, says the number of claims lodged is likely to rise in the next few days.

“This week we will open several dedicated assessment centres across Brisbane where we will have both assessors and specialist repairers on-site to assess vehicles,” CEO Steve Johnston said.

“This allows us to determine the best method of repair so we can get the clams process moving as soon as possible, keeping delays to a minimum.”

RACQ has received 3600 claims, including 2125 motor claims and 1475 property claims.

Insurers have warned of unscrupulous behaviour by disaster chasers, with reports today of tow truck drivers claiming they have been sent by the government to take hailstorm damaged cars.

ICA advises consumers to speak to their insurer before signing over vehicles, warning they could be hit with huge fees to get their car returned.

Hailstorms have caused extensive damage in Queensland and in other eastern states in the past 12 months.

A hailstorm that affected the southeast Queensland last November caused losses of $504 million, while a Rockhampton hailstorm in April caused $503 million in insured damage, ICA says. The 2014 Brisbane hailstorm caused more than $1.5 billion in claims.

Last season was Australia’s worst on record for natural catastrophes, with more than $5.9 billion in claims from bushfires, storms, hail and floods.