General insurance advice for those affected by Cyclone Alfred

Knowing what steps to take in the aftermath of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred can help protect your safety and make the insurance process easier for you.

This column has been written by Youi Insurance and executive general manager for Claims Services, Chris Jarrett, to assist with general insurance advice for those affected by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Seeing the end of a major storm is a cause for relief, but once the worst has passed, the road to recovery begins.

Knowing what steps to take in the aftermath can help protect your safety, assess the damage, and start the claims process efficiently.

In pictures: Homes crushed, streets ravaged as Alfred unleashes

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Youi Insurance executive general manager for Claims Services Chris Jarrett said recovery was a step-by-step process.

“Whether you’ve experienced wild weather before or not, you can never be too sure what to expect from a cyclone or sudden storm,” Mr Jarrett said.

“Take safety precautions, tackle challenges one at a time and remind yourself of the most important thing – that you and your loved ones are safe.”

A house lost part of its roof at Redcliffe from ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Picture: Steve Pohlner

There are a few steps to take:

Immediately after – be alert

Before stepping outside to inspect the damage, ensure the storm is truly over. In the case of cyclones, you may be in the storm’s ‘eye’, with more severe weather yet to come. Ideally, you should check local radio broadcasts and sources such as Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) or ABC Emergency for an all-clear before venturing outside.

When it’s safe to go out, wear sturdy boots and protective clothing, and keep children and pets indoors. Scan the immediate area for hazards such as fallen power lines, gas leaks, damaged buildings and fallen trees. Report fallen power lines and gas leaks immediately and return to the house to await the arrival of emergency services personnel.

Emergency services and home insurance groups warn that a significant number of storm-related injuries can occur after the storm has passed, so don’t take risks. Exercise caution and wait for help.

Record as much as you can

Make a list of everything that has been damaged where possible, including the make, model, year of purchase and serial number. Gather evidence by taking photos and videos of anything that has been damaged. Be thorough – where you can do so safely, check all your land and property right from your fences to your gutters.

Soon after – safely assess the damage

Once the immediate dangers have been addressed, assess the damage to your property. Walk around your home, looking for obvious signs of damage such as missing roof tiles, broken windows or structural damage. Take detailed notes and photos for your insurance claim.

Be careful when walking around your property and ensure you wear protective clothing. Look out for broken glass, nails and other debris. Also be on the lookout for snakes, which may have been forced to find shelter or higher ground during the storm. Use a stick to poke through debris, rather than your hands.

If your home and car are insured, contact your insurance provider as soon as possible to report the damage and begin the claims process.

If you need additional support during the recovery process, Disaster Assist provides resources for Australians affected by natural disasters, including government assistance programs and financial relief options. For State Emergency Service (SES) for flood and storm emergency assistance, contact 132 500.

In the meantime, be aware of opportunistic contractors offering quick repairs. As well as this, be aware of requests for an excess payment unless you have been requested to by your insurer. Avoid signing any agreements without verifying their credentials and checking with your insurance provider first.

Over time – seek support from welfare organisations

Recovering from a major storm is not just about repairing physical damage – it can also take a toll emotionally. Feelings of anxiety, frustration or sadness are common after a disaster.

If you or a loved one are struggling, reach out for support. For emergency relief and recovery services to help your community rebuild, refer to the relevant Government department. Queensland and New South Wales both have a reconstruction authority.

What to expect when making an insurance claim

A house in Highfields is damaged by a falling in tree as the aftermath of TC Alfred at Toowoomba. Picture: Kevin Farmer

If you need to make a claim with your insurer

It can help to be aware of the steps that are generally involved in the claim process. These can include:

1.Lodging your claim

a.First step is to contact your insurance provider – you can do this even if you don’t know the extent of the damage. Most insurance providers have a 24/7 help hotline and can support you during this process.

b.Most insurers offer the ability to lodge a claim either online or over the phone, but keep in mind call centre delays may be experienced due to high demand during severe weather events.

c.Make sure you’re an authorised person and try to have your policy number on hand along with details on when, where and how the incident occurred.

d.This is where a checklist of the damage will come in handy.

2.Assessing the damage

a.An insurance assessor will come and inspect the damage. It’s important to remember, that insurers will normally triage and prioritise attending the hardest hit properties first which may mean a delay in attending less affected properties.

3.Claim decision

a.Your insurer will confirm what you’re covered for. The nature of the claim will determine how long it takes to make a claim decision. In most cases, you can track the status of your claim online.

b.Once the assessment is complete and if your claim is accepted, your insurer will talk you through settlement options which, depending on the situation, can include arrangement of repairs, replacement or a cash settlement.

This column has been written by Youi Insurance and executive general manager for Claims Services, Chris Jarrett, to assist with general insurance advice for those affected by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Originally published as General insurance advice for those affected by Cyclone Alfred