Insurers will again run an in-person claims hub in Clifton, Queensland, in early January as part of efforts to manage claims arising from the November 2025 severe weather and hailstorm that affected the town and surrounding areas.
The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) will host a two-day hub at the Clifton Senior Citizens Centre, where policyholders can meet directly with insurer representatives to discuss outstanding or complex claims linked to the event. The sessions are scheduled for Jan. 8 and 9 from 10am to 4pm at 8 Meara Place, Clifton, QLD 4361. Attendance will be on a walk-in basis, with no prior booking required. According to the ICA, the hub will offer one-on-one meetings with representatives from multiple insurers and provide information on the claims process, including assessment, settlement approaches, and dispute resolution options. General guidance relevant to recovery for households and small businesses will also be available.
ICA chief executive Andrew Hall said the storm’s impact on the community was still being felt. “The severe hailstorm from early November brought widespread damage to Clifton, and we acknowledge that for some, their recovery remains ongoing. Insurers are committed to progressing claims as a result of this event, so I encourage anyone with damage who may have questions about their claim to come along and speak to their insurer,” Hall said. The hub format gives policyholders a face-to-face channel in addition to phone and online services to raise questions about coverage, claim status, scope of works, repair timelines, and complaint avenues.
The January 2026 visit follows earlier insurance hubs held in Clifton in November 2025 in the weeks after the storm. Those sessions, also at the Senior Citizens Centre, operated on Nov. 20 and 21 from 10am to 4pm. The earlier hubs coincided with the initial surge of claim lodgements and gave local policyholders an opportunity to discuss assessments and next steps shortly after the event.
ICA director of mitigation and extreme weather response, Liam Walter, said the visit comes as some customers continue to work through repairs and claims stemming from the storm. “We know that the recovery process can be a challenging time for those impacted by severe weather, and insurers are committed to making the claims process as smooth as possible to help those impacted in Clifton and surrounding areas get back on their feet. Having access to in-person information and access to insurer representatives can make the claims process simpler for impacted customers, and we encourage anyone with queries to come along,” Walter said.
The Clifton activity sits within the ICA’s broader response to storm activity in South East Queensland. In November 2025, the ICA expanded its Significant Event declaration SE 254, known as Severe Spring Storms, to include hail and strong winds that affected South East Queensland between Oct. 26 and Nov. 2, following an initial declaration after the Brisbane hailstorm on Oct. 26. The declaration has so far been linked to 25,980 claims across home, contents, motor, and commercial lines, including hail-damaged vehicles, broken windows, damaged solar panels, and roof damage.
Although the storms affected a wide area, the ICA has identified smaller communities such as Clifton, Pratten, and Esk as having concentrated losses. Several insurers have established or maintained local field teams in these locations to manage assessments and repairs for policyholders. Householders and business owners who experienced storm-related damage but have not yet lodged a claim are being encouraged by the ICA to contact their insurer, particularly ahead of further severe weather that could exacerbate existing damage.
