Insurance industry declares catastrophe as Tropical Cyclone Alfred batters Queensland and NSW

Avoid approaching or attempting to move fallen power lines.
Do not switch on electricity in water-damaged homes until an electrician has inspected the property.
Document all damage before cleaning up and take photos to support insurance claims.
Consult with insurers before starting repairs, as unauthorised work may not be covered.
Ensure that water-damaged vehicles are not driven.

The Cost of Tropical Cyclone Alfred and Insurance Coverage

While the full extent of the financial impact remains unknown, previous weather events provide some context. The last major cyclone to hit Australia, Tropical Cyclone Jasper in 2023, resulted in $409 million in claims from around 10,500 policyholders. The country’s costliest cyclone, Cyclone Tracy in 1974, would amount to an estimated $7.4 billion in today’s terms. In contrast, the floods of early 2022 remain Australia’s most expensive insured disaster, with losses exceeding $6.4 billion across more than 245,000 claims.