Insurance companies have set up “shopfronts” in the fire-devastated Margaret River region of WA to handle claims.

Some 32 homes and several holiday chalets were destroyed and 23 houses damaged in last week’s blaze, which resulted from an official controlled burnoff that jumped containment lines.

New bushfires in the southwest towns of Nannup, Augusta and on Molloy Island are not an immediate threat to lives or homes, according to the WA Fire and Emergency Services Authority.

Insurance Council of Australia Special Risks Manager Laurie Ratz says it’s “early days” in assessing the extent of the insured losses in Margaret River.

“We’ve only moved from the response to the recovery stage so far,” he told insuranceNEWS.com.au. “We’ve called for data from the various insurers.”

Mr Ratz says he is working closely with Augusta-Margaret River Shire, emergency services and state and federal MPs.

RAC-WA spokesman Rosalind Lane told insuranceNEWS.com.au the company has so far received 40 claims from the Margaret River bushfire, with the cost at this point estimated at just over $4 million.

SGIO Insurance and RACWA have set up “shopfronts” in the community.

“We had two assessors in the Margaret River area for three days after the fires as well as a support staff member,” Ms Lane said. “They are now working with builders and repairers to start the quoting and repair program.”

Vineyards in the area have not been affected by the bushfires, according to the Margaret River Wine Industry Association.