Brad Hazzard calls on insurers to ‘pick their game up’ over unpaid insurance claims at Collaroy

WAKEHURST MP Brad Hazzard has threatened to name and shame insurers who do not “pick their game up” and get behind storm-hit residents of Collaroy.

The Collaroy beachfront disappeared, gone taking with it property and possessions during storms in June. Picture: John Grainger

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WAKEHURST MP Brad Hazzard has told Parliament insurance companies need to stand behind their policies, saying some were hiding behind legal technicalities in reference to storm damage payouts in Collaroy.

The warning came while he was speaking in the NSW Legislative Assembly.

Mr Hazzard praised the efforts of the community, particularly emergency workers and peninsula surf clubs, for their work to protect homes in the storms of early June.

However, he said at least one insurer was not showing the same community spirit.

“They have an opportunity to show that they will step up and go beyond the interpretations of their policies,” he told Parliament.

“Insurance companies can stand behind the words in their policies or they can duck and hide behind them.

Storm damaged houses along Collaroy Beach on Sydney's northern beaches. Picture: Troy Snook

“In this case, I understand there has been a little too much ducking and a lack of preparedness to support the local community.

“I will be back in this place and I will name those companies in detail if they do not honour what they claim they will, that is, to support the community.”

In the speech, Mr Hazzard stressed that most insurance companies “have been obliging and recognise that people suffered badly”.

Mr Hazzard yesterday said he had become aware of a second major insurer “who is not stepping up to the plate as the community would hope or expect”.

He told the Manly Daily: “This is a massive disaster and hiding behind legal technicalities is not good for them and their reputation and it is not good for the community, so I am asking them again to rethink it.”

Wakerhurst MP Brad Hazzard inspects Collaroy homes along Pittwater Rd. Picture: Toby Zerna.

While Mr Hazzard declined to say when he might name and shame the companies, the next opportunity would be in three weeks when State Parliament reconvenes.

In August, the Manly Daily reported that residents on that strip were upset with policy payouts from the NRMA and CGU — both fall under the Insurance Australia Group.

However it is unclear who the other major insurer could be.

Garry Silk, spokesman for the residents on the Collaroy beachfront, said: “We are just bemused that four insurers have paid out in terms of cover to damage to houses.

“Four insurers representing six landowners have interpreted their policy to allow them to pay out.

“And the others have remained recalcitrant.”