The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) will hold a series of forums for north Queensland communities next month as the industry continues to face scrutiny over its handling of claims from Cyclone Debbie last year.

The forums will cover topics including affordability, mitigation and how to avoid underinsurance and claims difficulties.

They will also provide an update on the North Queensland Strata Title Inspection Scheme, which aims to help body corporates make properties more resilient.

“The public meetings will provide an opportunity for homeowners and small businesses to share their insurance experiences and insights with industry representatives,” ICA says.

ICA last week defended the industry’s performance after A Current Affair report suggested insurers had focused on maintenance issues and wear and tear to avoid paying claims after Debbie.

Spokesman Campbell Fuller says 99% of Debbie claims are closed, with less than 0.6% ending up with the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).

FOS is considering 40 cases from the cyclone and is continuing to receive disputes, a spokeswoman told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

Details on the ICA forums are available here.

See ANALYSIS.