Insurers have already received several hundred calls after savage storms that battered Perth yesterday, but it’s too early to estimate the insured damages bill according to the Insurance Disaster Response Organisation (IDRO).

The storms have uprooted trees and caused widespread damage to Bunbury and the southern suburbs of Perth. Power outages have also caused disruption throughout the state.

Over the past 18 months the industry has benefitted from unusually benign weather conditions, but most companies have taken into account in their profit predictions that these conditions won’t last forever.

IDRO WA Co-ordinator Daryl Cameron has urged policyholders to be patient when contacting their insurer or broker, as the volume of calls is likely to be high.