While 12,500 claims worth more than $250 million have been received for insured losses from Cyclone Larry, it’s still not known if Cyclone Glenda on the other side of the country will cause many losses.

Cyclone Glenda lashed Australia’s remote northwestern coast last week with gale force winds of up to 100kmh – only a week after Cyclone Larry. But Glenda proved the old real estate (and insurance) rule that it’s all about location, location, location.

Insurance Council of Australia spokesman Rod Frail says it is unlikely many insurance claims will be incurred as a result of Cyclone Glenda.

“The area affected is sparsely populated and I don’t expect there to be much coming through as a result,” he said.

Meanwhile, the clean-up continues after Cyclone Larry.

Insurance Disaster Response Organisation Queensland Co-ordinator Graham Jones says about 140 insurance personnel are assessing claims for home and farm buildings, contents, motor vehicles, farm machinery, commercial property, boats and light aircraft.

“As essential services are gradually restored, insurance companies are re-opening branches and bringing in mobile offices to assist policyholders,” he said. “Insurers are already paying cash settlements to the owners of homes that have been destroyed, and tradesmen are being deployed to begin repairing damaged buildings.”

Insurance Ombudsman Sam Parrino has also visited the area twice to offer advice to community groups.

Mr Jones says now that roads are more accessible, loss adjusters are also visiting the more isolated areas that were in Cyclone Larry’s path.