Tropical Cyclone Alfred: Insurers refuse to cover cars in storm zone

Aussies on edge and bracing for Cyclone Alfred have been hit with shock news from insurers who are meant to help them.

Car owners are being denied insurance as Cyclone Alfred bears down on the east coast of Australia.

Car owners wishing to purchase protection for their vehicles in Queensland are being turned down, with Alfred set to make landfall on Friday and wreak major damage across the state and even below the border in NSW.

It looks to be the same approach insurance companies are taking to home protection – with an insurance embargo being set up across over 400km of Aussie coastline, with little or no prior warning to car owners.

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Car owners are being denied insurance as Cyclone Alfred bears down on the east coast of Australia. Picture: Supplied

A denial note appears when consumers attempt to purchase car insurance in Queensland with insurance giant Allianz.

The note reads: “We’re sorry we can’t give you a quote right not because: there is severe weather or a natural disaster in your area at this time”.

It’s a similar story with the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) who have issued an insurance embargo.

A note on the RACQ website reads: “embargoes – As a result of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, RACQ is not issuing any new insurance policies for areas that may be affected. We’re continuing to monitor the situation closely and aim to lift restrictions once the imminent threat has passed”.

It’s very bad timing if you have just bought a new car.

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It could be a tough time for car owners. Luckily this bloke got his car out OK. Picture: x

“Be aware that Brisbane etc area is in insurance embargo due to cyclone. No new or increased policies. So tough luck if you bought a new car,” one posted warned on Facebook.

“Check your car insurance and house insurance for cyclone cover … Sad to say but if expects to happen Thursday. You better get cracking,” another person wrote.

In most cases, consumers who have existing car insurance will be OK.

RACQ says: “RACQ members who have an existing home and contents insurance and/or comprehensive car insurance policy will be covered for storm, flood, hail, storm surge and cyclone damage”.

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Tropical Cyclone Alfred is tipped to make landfall between Maroochydore and Coolangatta as its “destructive core” readies to cross the Queensland coast.

The company has also offered advice for those in affected areas on how to protect their vehicles, before, during and after the cyclone.

They include:

+ Move vehicles, bicycles, and personal mobility devices undercover (and avoid trees and powerlines) well before conditions deteriorate.

+ If you’re in an apartment and your underground car park is at risk of flooding, move your car to higher ground (again – well before conditions deteriorate and only if it’s safe to drive)

+ Charge your EV – if the vehicle is equipped with vehicle to load capacity you can use it to run your fridge in a power outage (if it’s safe to do so).

+ If your car does get flooded – never attempt to start it. This can cause more damage to the engine and pose safety risks.