Insurance providers will be present in New South Wales’s Mid North Coast this September, offering direct support to policyholders affected by the floods that struck the region in May 2025.
The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) is coordinating a series of in-person consultations, aiming to facilitate dialogue between insurers and customers as recovery efforts continue.
The ICA has outlined a schedule for three consultation events in Kempsey, Taree, and Port Macquarie.
These sessions, taking place from Sept. 16 to 18, are designed to give policyholders the opportunity to discuss their claims face-to-face with representatives from multiple insurance companies.
Attendees will also have access to information on the claims process, dispute resolution, and other relevant insurance topics.
Advance registration is required and can be completed on the ICA website.
Andrew Hall, CEO of the ICA, said the council and its members had a presence in affected areas soon after the flooding, including an insurance hub in Taree that operated for two weeks.
“As part of our ongoing commitment to regions impacted by extreme weather events and to support impacted policyholders get back on their feet, it’s important for insurers to revisit affected regions to work through any questions, issues, or concerns customers may have,” he said.
Data from the ICA shows that insured losses from extreme weather across Australia reached more than $1.8 billion in the first half of 2025.
Three major events – the Mid-North Coast and Hunter floods, North Queensland flooding in February, and Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred – accounted for the bulk of claims.
The Mid-North Coast and Hunter floods led to approximately $200 million in claims from around 11,500 policyholders.
Liam Walter, ICA’s director of mitigation and extreme weather response, said the industry remains focused on supporting customers.
“While this damage bill isn’t as severe as first expected, we acknowledge that for many communities, recovery is still very much ongoing and there is still a long road ahead,” he said.
The ICA is urging increased investment in flood mitigation from the public sector.
In a recent media briefing, Hall discussed the unique challenges for businesses in flood-prone areas, noting that commercial insurance often requires opting into flood cover.
He explained that in towns like Taree, where flood risk is well established, insurers must reflect this in their pricing, which can impact the affordability of cover for small businesses.
Hall also addressed the issue of underinsurance, linking it to inflation and rising construction costs.
“So, we are seeing a problem emerge around under-insurance, and that is driven not only by the events, but by inflation, so over the last three or four years, building costs have gone up around about 40%. And I think people are underestimating what it really costs to rebuild or restore your property after an event happens,” he said.
A recent analysis by Climate Valuation and The Climate Council found that approximately 652,000 properties in Australia – about 4.4% of the national total – are already classified as high risk for climate-related events, including flooding, bushfires, severe wind, and coastal erosion.
Another 1.55 million properties, or 10.4%, are considered moderately at risk, with insurance premiums expected to remain high for these locations.
The insurance sector continues to advocate for a comprehensive national approach to disaster resilience, emphasising the need for long-term strategies to address the growing impact of climate hazards on Australian properties.
