Insurers have defended a decision not to confront angry residents at an Ipswich meeting last week, saying it was “not the right forum” for discussions.

Media reports slammed insurers AAMI, CGU, Allianz, NRMA Insurance, RACQ and QBE for not facing clients whose claims have been declined.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard also joined in the slanging match, labelling insurance companies “cowards” for not attending.

Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten told the meeting several invitations had been sent out to insurers but they had declined.

Instead, Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) CEO Rob Whelan, who arrived at the meeting 45 minutes late, faced a firing squad of angry residents demanding to know why their insurers were refusing to pay up.

However, an AAMI spokesman told insuranceNEWS.com.au that allegations it refused to attend the meeting were incorrect, because the company wasn’t invited.

He says AAMI is part of Suncorp, which does cover flood for personal lines, and Suncorp has already paid out 90% of claims for the Queensland disaster.

“We have already spoken directly to all of our customers affected by the floods and advised them of the status of their claims, and in many cases have already commenced repairs and rebuilding.”

NRMA Insurance declined the invitation but says a “mass community meeting” wasn’t the place for further explanations on claims decisions.

A spokesman told insuranceNEWS.com.au that those who disagree with decisions on their claims should challenge it through the company’s dispute process.

“This is a further opportunity to review and discuss the facts of the claim directly with us,” she said. “We’ve talked to our customers from all impacted areas all the way through this process, and we will continue to do so.”

CGU also says a public meeting was not an appropriate forum for talking to residents about refusal notices.

“The comments made [by the politicians] are disappointing when you consider that the industry will pay over 100,000 claims to Queensland customers as a result of the severe weather earlier this year,” a spokesman said.