The possibility of electricity blackouts this summer on the same scale as last year may require some insurance companies to check their policy wordings, according to Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) Queensland Manager Graham Jones.

He told Sunrise Exchange News yesterday that claims last summer amounted to $40 million in Queensland. “It’s a Queensland-centric situation and it’s difficult to talk about national policies, but insurance companies may suffer losses and should be aware of their policy wordings.”

He says roof claims alone last summer reached $30 million due to hailstorms in October. “From an ICA point of view we can’t account for what insurers are doing. The industry is about fortuitous or accidental events and not inevitable events, and insurers need to look at their position on this area,” he said.

Storm damage is provided as a standard benefit under all insurance policies. However, if blackouts are deemed to be normal seasonal factors then businesses may not be able to lodge claims.