Insurance providers are set to hold a new round of community consultations for policyholders impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in southeast Queensland.
The sessions, to be held in Upper Coomera and Hervey Bay, are designed to assist customers whose properties and businesses were affected by the March 2025 cyclone.
The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has announced that representatives from multiple insurers will be available for one-on-one meetings with policyholders.
These meetings aim to provide a forum for discussing individual claims, clarifying the claims process, and offering guidance on dispute resolution and recovery options. General insurance information will also be accessible to attendees.
Consultations in Upper Coomera are scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 18, at The Well, 58 Highland Way, from 9am to 5pm. Hervey Bay’s session will take place on Thursday, Nov. 20, at The Club House, Corner Tooth Street and Old Maryborough Road, Pialba, during the same hours. Registration is required through the ICA website.
Liam Walter, ICA’s director of mitigation and extreme weather response, said that while eight months have elapsed since ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred affected southeast Queensland, some policyholders are still in the process of recovery. “Insurers remain committed to progressing any outstanding claims from this event, and we encourage anyone with queries to make a booking with their insurer,” Walter said.
The Australian Reinsurance Pool Corporation (ARPC) has released figures in its 2024-25 annual report highlighting the financial impact of recent cyclone activity. The ARPC reported $1.1 billion in gross written premiums and net assets of $772 million for the financial year.
However, the scale of claims from ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred resulted in an operating deficit of $891 million.
Despite this, the ARPC maintains that its financial position remains stable and that it continues to operate as intended under current legislation.
During the 2024-25 cyclone season, the ARPC declared five cyclone events, with ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred being the most significant since the cyclone pool’s establishment in July 2022. Claims paid by the ARPC for ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred reached $53.7 million out of a total $130.7 million for the year, and the estimated ultimate claims cost for the event stands at $1.86 billion.
“TC Alfred was a pivotal moment for the cyclone pool, serving as a significant test of its resilience and operational effectiveness. The event demonstrated the pool’s preparedness and capacity to respond efficiently to significant weather events,” said ARPC chief executive Dr Christopher Wallace.
In addition to the Queensland consultations, the ICA and participating insurers will also visit Harden, New South Wales, to meet with customers affected by the severe hailstorm and heavy rainfall in February 2025.
These sessions are scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 11, and Wednesday, Nov. 12, at the Harden Country Club, East Street, from 9am to 5pm. Policyholders are required to register via the ICA website.
The Harden consultations will offer residents the opportunity to discuss their claims directly with insurers, seek advice, and obtain information on the claims and recovery process.
The ICA has emphasised the importance of these face-to-face meetings for those still navigating the aftermath of the storm.
“Since the hail event that impacted Harden, insurers have been working hard to assess, repair, and finalise outstanding claims, though for some the recovery continues,” Walter said.
