As life returns to relative normality for most living in Queensland’s flood zones, some brokers are still frustrated over delays in the time being taken by insurers to assess damage.

Austbrokers HCI MD Jeff Stevens in Toowoomba’s says many clients are still asking why assessors have not been to their properties to assess the damage and why their claims have not been paid.

He says it has been “pretty frustrating” for customers and brokers alike, with one major claim he is handling waiting more than six weeks.

“But we have been fairly fortunate that insurers in the mainstream have been pretty good,” Mr Steven told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

He says there has still been considerable discussion over whether to treat certain areas as flood or water inundation.

JLT Australia Senior State Executive for Queensland Russell Ditchburn says his staff are currently sifting through claims and dealing with “various issues” such as hydrology reports with insurers.

He says it’s vital to get clients back to “business as usual” as quickly as possible, and making sure assessors are getting around to them in a timely fashion.

“We need to make sure they get back on track and no one gets left behind,” he said.

Jimmy Higgins, Suncorp’s EM in charge of the Queensland Event Recovery, says the clean-up in flood-affected areas is going better than expected.

He says many claims have already been assessed and expects them all to be complete within three or four weeks.

Mr Higgins told insuranceNEWS.com.au most residents are “coping really well” in the face of devastation and access issues.

“We are trying to get them back to normal as quickly as possible, working with local authorities in the region and making sure it is safe to get assessors on the ground”, he said.