ICA and insurers to meet with storm-impacted residents in Victoria

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) and insurers will conduct in-person meetings with Victorian residents affected by last year’s storm.

On June 9, 2021, a severe storm caused high winds and moderate-to-severe flooding in the east of Melbourne, particularly Gippsland and surrounding regions and the Yarra Ranges. On June 13, the ICA declared an insurance catastrophe to activate on-the-ground deployment of disaster specialists to Traralgon, Latrobe, Yarra Ranges, and Hepburn in support of recovery centres. It also worked with Emergency Management Victoria and Bushfire Recovery Victoria to coordinate disaster recovery efforts.

The in-person meetings – to be conducted in Dandenong and Yarra Ranges on August 17, 2022 (Wednesday) – will enable the customers to discuss the progress of their claim and work through any significant and persisting issues with their insurers.

“The ICA and insurers will be in Montrose to help customers impacted by last year’s destructive extreme weather finalise their claims,” said ICA CEO Andrew Hall. “In-person meetings are an opportunity for customers to talk to their insurer about the specific details of their claim and the insurance process.”

Read more: ICA backs Western Sydney flood package

The claims cost for the severe storm event in July 2021 is $310.4 million, with over 93.4% of the 34,300 claims lodged now closed.

The ICA and insurers will hold the in-person meetings between midday and 8pm at Montrose Town Centre, Community Room 935, Mt Dandenong Tourist Road, Montrose. Appointments are essential, so interested policyholders must book a meeting at insurancecouncil.com.au/YarraRangesConsultations.

Moreover, a representative from Eastern Community Legal Centre and the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) will be available for consultation.

The insurance industry is also busy assisting customers affected by the June-July 2022 extreme weather event. This week, the National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA) reiterated the New South Wales (NSW) government’s announcement of supporting flood-impacted residents while insurers continue to process claims related to the weather event.