The Insurance Disaster Response Organisation (IDRO) expects damage from the weekend’s windstorms in NSW, Victoria and the ACT to cost insurers about $4 million. National Co-ordinator Chris Henri says most property damage appears to have been minor. “The most common type of damage was to roofs and motor vehicles, caused by wind and fallen trees,” he said.

And he had this advice for claimants about fallen trees and debris: Make a claim on your own policy if your property has been damaged by a neighbour’s tree; check with your council about debris removal, and check your policy about the amount of debris removal covered.

As for fences, Mr Henri said policies vary. “Fences merely blown over by the wind might not be covered by some policies.”