Insurance Council to host town hall in Hervey Bay after cyclone disaster

The Insurance Council will head to Hervey Bay where the devastating impact of ex-tropical Cyclone Alfred, and trouble with getting claims through, is still being felt.

Flooding in Hervey Bay during the wild weather on Sunday brought by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Photo: Sharnee Ann

A town hall is set to be held in Hervey Bay by the Insurance Council of Queensland for people impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Extensive flash flooding left homes and businesses underwater after almost two months’ worth of rain fell in just six hours.

It comes after Hervey Bay MP David Lee made a fiery speech in state parliament, calling on insurance companies to do the right thing by home and business owners who were widely reporting delayed and dismissed claims.

Impacted policyholders will be able to meet one-on-one with representatives from a number of insurers on May 15, giving them an opportunity to discuss their individual claim and seek personal advice.

In the evening, the ICA will host a town hall where locals will also have the opportunity to obtain general information on the claims process, complaints avenues and other useful insurance-related information to assist with insurance claims and the recovery process.

The event is being held in The Clubhouse in Hervey Bay, with one-on-one consultations to be held between 10am and 4pm and the town hall to be held from 5pm.

Timmy Rhodes took this image of good Samaritans checking cars in the RSL carpark as flash flooding hit Hervey Bay during the wild weather brought by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Further consultations will follow until 8pm.

Registrations for the consultations and the town hall are essential.

Bookings can be made by clicking here. 

ICA Director of Mitigation and Extreme Weather Response Liam Walter said it was important to provide support to Hervey Bay residents in the wake of the disaster.

“The impacts of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred are still being felt in many communities, with more than 100,000 claims received totalling almost $1 billion,” he said.

“While the Insurance Council and its members had presence in Hervey Bay immediately following this weather event and provided support and advice for impacted community members, it’s important for insurers to visit the region to work through any questions, issues or concerns.

“We expect assessments activities and scope of works discussions are well underway at this point in the claim process but hope these additional forums will provide further support for the Hervey Bay community as they continue their recovery.”

Originally published as Insurance Council to host town hall in Hervey Bay after cyclone disaster