Insurance Council of Australia hosting storm damage consultation

The June weather event caused huge damage throughout the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges. Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS.

The Insurance Council of Australia has announced it will host virtual one-on-one consultations with Yarra Ranges policyholders affected by the June 2021 storms.

Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) chief executive officer Andrew Hall said the decision to offer individual virtual consultations was based on the health and safety of all participants.

“Virtual face-to-face policyholder meetings are not practice and ICA representatives and insurers would prefer to meet in person with policyholders at community events,” he said.

“However, the current Covid environment has necessitated this move to meet the needs of those policyholders who need assistance with their insurance claim sooner rather than later.”

The 30 minute virtual video or phone consultation can be booked with ICA representatives or insurers and will take place on Thursday 20 January from 9am until 8pm.

Insurers have received more than 32,000 claims in the aftermath of the severe weather event that resulted in an insurance catastrophe being declared on 13 June 2021, with losses estimated at $281 million.

More than 90 per cent of claims were the result of household storm and water damage.