Insurers are maintaining a “case-by-case” policy on whether last week’s heavy downpours in south-east Queensland and northern NSW constitute flood or storm damage, and the enormity of the affected area is keeping them busy dealing with claims.
 
A Suncorp spokesman says it is too early to see the full picture, but claims stand at 2500 across the insurers in the group, with an estimated $10 million damage bill which will be covered by aggregate reinsurance.
   
“Overwhelmingly, it’s home claims,” he said.

A spokesman for AAMI says claims are considered case by case, but Brisbane is being seen as a stormwater run-off event. For NSW it is “to be advised”.

A CGU spokesman says 500 claims have been received so far from Queensland and NSW, although it is too early to tell the full extent of damage.

“Loss adjusters are out in accessible areas,” she told insuranceNEWS.com.au. “We have mobilised key builders.

“It is a different from the events in Coffs Harbour (NSW) and Ingham (Queensland) earlier this year because it is over such a wide area.”

Some communities in NSW remain isolated, although the floodwaters are receding.

The Insurance Council of Australia has established an insurance taskforce to work closely with the two state governments following the deluge.