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Insurers count cost of Victorian windstorm

The cost of damage from the wild weather that blew through Victoria and Tasmania last Wednesday could top $50 million.

Hurricane-force winds tore off roofs, littered roads with fallen trees and debris, cut power, halted trains and broke boats from their moorings, particularly at Mornington, in the south of Port Phillip Bay.

Suncorp spokesman Jamin Smith told insuranceNEWS.com.au on Friday the group has received 3500 claims across its insurance brands, including AAMI and GIO.

While it’s too early to give an accurate cost estimate, he says most of the claims received so far have been for relatively minor property damage to roofs, fences and cars.

Allianz Australia spokesman Pru Whitwell says the windstorm is shaping up to be a “modest-sized event”, with Allianz receiving about 500 claims last week.

She says the total cost of claims across the industry will be at least $50 million.

RACV Claims Manager John Simpson says his company has received 2500 claims in Victoria, 90% of them related to fallen trees.

“We have moved swiftly to assist policyholders and have increased staff numbers to manage the volume of calls from people seeking assistance,” he said.

CGU spokesman Elise Sullivan says the company has received about 1000 claims for Victoria and 100 for Tasmania.