Bushfire conditions deteriorated again in the ACT and NSW over the weekend, leading to the loss of more homes.

The NSW Rural Fire Service says seven more homes were destroyed in the state, bringing the total for the season to 2424.

It is not yet clear how many properties have been damaged or destroyed by a massive blaze that has burned through more than 20% of the ACT during the past week.

Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) statistics put nationwide losses for the catastrophe season, including hail and bushfire, at more than $2.3 billion.

Claims from the catastrophe declared on November 8, which incorporates bushfire losses in NSW, Victoria, SA and Queensland, have reached $1.65 billion. But these figures have not been updated for more than a week and can be expected to rise further.

ICA welcomed last week’s announcement that a lead contractor has been appointed to conduct the clean-up of NSW residential and commercial properties destroyed by bushfires. Victoria is making similar arrangements.

“Government-funded clean-up using a lead contractor for all bushfire-affected homes and commercial properties, whether insured or uninsured, is best practice following a bushfire catastrophe,” CEO Rob Whelan said.

“All savings that insurers may accrue through this process will be passed on to policyholders to help them to rebuild their properties and their lives.”

ICA says it is ready to assist the independent NSW expert inquiry into the bushfires, also announced last week.

“The Insurance Council and its members are preparing to provide their expertise and insights to assist former Deputy Commissioner of NSW Police Dave Owens and former NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer Professor Mary O'Kane AC during the inquiry,” Mr Whelan said.

“This inquiry must be robust and far-reaching if it is to provide insights and effective recommendations, and ICA would welcome contributing to its final terms of reference.

“Much can be learned from these fires to help prevent or reduce the impact of future bushfires in NSW – in particular the roles of mitigation, building design and land-use planning.

“ICA encourages the inquiry to examine levels and causes of non-insurance and underinsurance in bushfire-hit regions, including the effect that state taxes and levies have had on the cost and purchase of household and business policies in the state.”

See Analysis.