Although the Insurance Disaster Response Organisation has yet to issue an estimate of the total property damage cost from the current NSW bushfires, it’s not expected to be significant in insurance terms. Losses have so far have exceeded $3 million.

IDRO is urging householders in Sydney’s metropolitan area, the Central Coast and the Illawarra region to check their insurance policies (if they have insurance at all).

National Co-ordinator Chris Henri said it is often difficult to obtain insurance or upgrade existing policies during periods of high bushfire risk. He urged residents to make sure they have renewed policies and that their policies adequately cover them in the event their property is destroyed.

“During times of high risk insurers may place embargoes on new policies and extensions to existing policies for a specified period of time,” he said. “Householders should urgently check that they have renewed their policies and have adequate insurance to rebuild their home or business and replace all contents if necessary.”