Wild weather, storm and flood damage: How to make an insurance claim

Wild weather has caused chaos across three states. Thousands were left without power and insurance claims for damaged homes are set to soar. This is what you need to make a claim.

Wild weather has caused chaos across three states, with storms and floods hitting Victoria, Tasmania and NSW.

Thousands were left without power and insurance claims for damaged homes are set to soar as those affected deal with the aftermath amid predictions of more stormy weather later this week.

What’s happening: Suncorp’s executive general manager of home claims customers, Alli Smith, said from August 29 to September 3, more than 1400 home and 170 motor claims have been lodged across Victoria and Tasmania.

“The storms across south-eastern Australia resulted in destructive, high-speed winds, hail, heavy rainfall and some flooding, causing damage to homes, motor and property,” she said.

“Areas around Melbourne in Victoria saw the brunt of the impact, while in Tasmania’s north, Launceston and Devonport were significantly impacted, with power outages causing disruption across both states.

The Suncorp chief said emergency cash payments and proactive claims support for customers was underway since yesterday, with claims teams preparing to deploy to impacted regions as soon as it is safe to do so.

IAG, whose brands include NRMA Insurance, CGU and WFI, said extra staff were on standby to help customers impacted by the severe weather across the three states.

Here’s what you need to know:

Does insurance cover weather damage to houses?

Home buildings insurance covers your home when it’s been damaged as a result of an insured event, such as a storm or fire. Many insurers do not cover your home against flood damage and instead offer it as an optional extra. Some insurers also offer temporary accommodation of up to 12 months, removal of debris and counselling.

SES crews in New South Wales have been flat out being called as brutal winds sweep large parts of the country. Picture: NSW SES

How do I make an insurance claim after a storm?

The Insurance Council of Australia says it’s vital for people contact their insurance company as soon as possible to lodge a claim and seek guidance on the process.

If your roof has been damaged, you must let your insurer know.

Before undertaking any emergency repairs, it is important that you ask for your insurer’s permission in writing as unauthorised works may not be covered by your policy.

What is the process of an insurance claim?

There are a few key steps when it comes to lodging an insurance claim, the Insurance Council of Australia states.

Firstly, contact your insurer, which you can do even if you don’t know the full extent of the damage.

It is important to document the damage with photos and video.

The insurance company will then appoint someone to inspect the damage.

The insurer will then decide whether to accept or decline the claim and if it is accepted, a scope of works document that sets out the repairs needed will be developed.

The insurance company will then discuss the settlement of claim, which will either be replace, repair, rebuild or a cash settlement.

Damage to a carport in Melton in Victoria. Picture: Facebook

What is the process of insurance claims validation?

Insurers need to validate the damage that has occurred in order to take the steps to repair or replace the damaged items.

Proof of loss or damage can be given by providing photos or videos and more evidence may be needed to substantiate a claim for a more expensive item in some cases.

How long does an insurance claim take?

The length of time will depend on the complexities of the claim and you can generally track your claim online on your insurer’s portal.

New Norfolk Bowls club extensively flooded in Tasmania. Picture: Linda Higginson

What makes a claim successful?

The gathering of evidence is the most vital step when it comes to substantiating your insurance claim. Take photos and video.

What are my rights with an insurance claim?

If you have issues with your insurance company, there are three steps you can take, according to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

You can firstly contact your insurer, either by phone, in person or in writing. If you are not happy with their response, you can ask for their complaints handling procedure and put your complaint in writing.

If you don’t receive a response, or you are unhappy with the one you get, you can make a complaint to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority.

Will insurance cover me for food spoilage if there’s a power cut?

Many home and contents insurers will cover loss or damage caused by an unplanned power outage. Many will allow for claims of up to $500 worth of food if spoilage has occurred over a period of time. Some insurers will ask for additional information such as a record of lightning at the time of the incident. It is best to check with your provider.

Originally published as Wild weather, storm and flood damage: How to make an insurance claim