The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has released a series of recommendations for residents affected by the hailstorms that struck Southeast Queensland and parts of Northern New South Wales. The guidance came alongside the ICA’s declaration of an Insurance Catastrophe, signalling the activation of coordinated industry measures to handle the surge in damage claims and provide ongoing monitoring.
Over 16,000 claims have been filed across more than 140 postcodes throughout Southeast Queensland in the aftermath of the severe weather. The destructive path of the storm extended through several suburbs, with the most intense damage concentrated from Logan Village to Manly. Hailstones measured between 8 to 13 centimetres in diameter in the zones most heavily impacted. Wind speeds reached 120 kilometres per hour at Gladstone and 107 kilometres per hour at Brisbane Airport during the event. Power supply disruptions affected in excess of 100,000 residences across the Brisbane region, Gold Coast, and Sunshine Coast areas. Additional claims numbering around 100 have been received from postcodes in northern New South Wales.
Kylie Macfarlane, ICA deputy CEO, urged affected residents to file claims without delay through either digital platforms or direct contact with their insurers. “We are saying to people that if they do need to make a claim to do so, either online or in person as soon as possible. If you don’t know the full details of the claim, don’t worry; you can still start the process,” she said.
Residents undertaking cleanup operations following the storm should maintain detailed photographic records of all damage, the ICA advised. Photographic and written documentation of items disposed of, along with any identifying information such as serial numbers, strengthens the claims assessment process and supports coverage determinations.
Safety remains paramount when residents return to their homes and undertake restoration work. Macfarlane cautioned that structural hazards could emerge following severe hail and wind events. “If you’re worried that your home is unsafe, make sure you get it checked by your insurer before you go back,” she said.
The ICA emphasised that residents should verify structural integrity with their insurers prior to beginning cleanup efforts, as hazardous conditions such as exposed electrical systems, unstable structures, and debris pose risks to personal safety. Macfarlane said: “During electrical storms, wires can become exposed, but also trees can fall. Roofs can be damaged, and outdoor furniture can be thrown around. All of these things can create a hazard, so make sure, as you re-enter your home or you’re going about clean up, that it is safe to do that. If you’re unsure, call your insurer.”
The ICA warned residents to exercise vigilance regarding unsolicited repair and cleanup offers that frequently emerge following major weather events. These operators, commonly known as disaster chasers, solicit immediate cash payments and pressure property owners into signing service contracts. Liam Walter, ICA director of mitigation and extreme weather response, cautioned that such actors exploit vulnerable populations. “They can leave families, the elderly , and vulnerable Australians much worse off, with large bills and homes that remain damaged,” Walter said.
According to the ICA, these operators sometimes falsely claim affiliation with insurance companies or represent themselves as authorised representatives. Property owners should verify that any contractors working on their homes have been explicitly authorised by their insurance provider. Unauthorised repair work typically falls outside insurance coverage, creating potential financial liability for homeowners. Macfarlane said: “Your insurer will not send someone to your house unless they have told you that they are doing that. If you’re unsure, call your insurer.”
Property owners who have executed agreements with such operators have the option to terminate these contracts within a 10-day statutory period, with assistance from their insurance company.
Suncorp Group’s meteorological analysis indicated that the weather systems responsible for this event exhibited characteristics consistent with significant historical storms. Andrew Bufalino, Suncorp’s severe weather meteorologist, noted the similarities to past events. “The largest hailstones and most substantial impacts occurred along a corridor from Logan Village through Burbank and Manly, where highly dense and spherical hailstones between eight and 13 centimetres were observed,” Bufalino said, referencing the 2008 Gap Storm and 2014 Brisbane Hailstorm as comparable events in meteorological patterns.
A preceding hail and wind event in Southeast Queensland occurring two weeks earlier had generated approximately 28,000 claims, indicating sustained storm activity throughout the season. Macfarlane noted the intensity of current weather patterns. “We’ve definitely had a strong start to the storm season,” she said.
Forecasters predicted additional storm systems for the remainder of the week, prompting the ICA to encourage property owners to contact their insurers promptly to address damage and minimise exposure to anticipated future weather events.
Escalating frequency and financial costs of severe convective weather systems have prompted expanded discussions between the insurance sector and government authorities regarding long-term community protection strategies. Severe convective storms constitute Australia’s most costly category of extreme weather events from an insurance perspective.
Macfarlane indicated that regular consultations occur between industry representatives and federal and state government departments on resilience initiatives. “We are in active dialogue with the government about what resilience measures are needed – what dams, levees, basins or house raising, or house buyback programs need to be put in place to better support communities, to make them safer and to ensure that people have resilient communities to live in,” she said.
