The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) has received just 17 disputes after this year’s Queensland floods, compared with 1419 after the 2010/11 event.

The latest FOS circular describes the lower figure as “encouraging”.

Legal Aid Queensland’s consumer protection unit opened more than 560 files for clients seeking to challenge insurance refusals from the 2010/11 floods, and 293 insurer decisions were overturned, with clients recovering more than $15 million.

“In comparison, for [this year’s] floods Legal Aid Queensland has provided advice to fewer than 50 clients and it’s possible that not all will translate into casework/files,” FOS says.

It attributes the lower figures to work by consumer groups, the community, the insurance industry and governments.

About 91% of Queensland home and contents policies now include flood cover, compared with 3% in 2006. However, some people have opted out because premiums are higher.

FOS says the Insurance Council of Australia hotline and the rapid deployment of staff to affected areas give consumers, government agencies and community organisations a point of contact for insurance questions.