PERILS has issued an initial industry loss estimate of $1.108 billion for the late-October severe convective storms (SCS) that affected Australia’s east coast, as insurers and industry bodies handle overlapping storm and bushfire claims across several states.
The Zurich-based catastrophe data firm said the estimate reflects insurance market losses across property and motor insurance lines from storms occurring between October 26 and November 1, 2025, in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. Under its standard reporting timetable, PERILS plans to publish an updated loss figure three months after the event end date, on February 1, 2026.
PERILS said the late-October period featured a prolonged spell of SCS along the east coast, with the largest impact recorded on October 26. The greater Brisbane area in South East Queensland accounted for the bulk of losses, while on the same day a tornado affected the western suburbs of Melbourne in Victoria. After several days of less intense storm activity, further thunderstorms affected South East Queensland and parts of New South Wales on October 31 and November 1. Losses across the full period have been grouped under PERILS’ event definition for reporting purposes.
Darryl Pidcock, head of Asia-Pacific & Cyber at PERILS, said the storms form part of a broader pattern of severe convective events in the region. “This is the first major severe convective storm activity to impact South East Queensland since the December 2023 Christmas Storms and the Halloween Storms of October 2020. In addition, another major SCS outbreak in the Brisbane area occurred in late November, which PERILS is currently investigating. Putting this recent activity into context with historical records reveals an increase in the frequency of major SCS events in South East Queensland, an observation which is consistent with the global trend in SCS losses,” Pidcock said.
Pidcock noted that storm event clauses in Australian reinsurance contracts differ across programs and may rely on meteorological parameters, time-based aggregation, or a mix of both. “In Australia, storm event definition clauses for reinsurance purposes vary and can include meteorological conditions and/or loss aggregation periods with the majority being 168 hours. PERILS generally follows the predominant clause, and therefore the losses from the storms are aggregated into one single insurance event for the period of 26 October to 1 November 2025,” he said. Treating the multi-day weather system as a single insurance event has implications for cedants and reinsurers when assessing retentions, occurrence limits, and reinstatements under property catastrophe and aggregate protections.
As PERILS refines its loss metrics, insurers are dealing with claims from the October storms as well as later weather and bushfire events. Suncorp has put in place multi-state disaster operations in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania following recent bushfires and storms. In Queensland, three Mobile Disaster Response Hubs are rotating through locations including Bongaree, Shailer Park, Tingalpa, and Cornubia after a series of hailstorms between Nov. 21 and 27, which the group has described as one of the largest storm events in the state’s history. The hubs provide in-person access for customers to lodge claims, seek emergency funds, arrange make-safe works, and organise temporary accommodation.
Suncorp has reported more than 18,000 claims from the hailstorms, including about 10,000 home and 7,700 motor claims. The insurer said it has sent more than 126,000 text messages with repair and safety information, completed almost 3,000 emergency home repairs, and used aerial imagery covering more than 300 square kilometres to identify damage and prioritise claims.
On the New South Wales Central Coast, IAG has added resources following a bushfire that destroyed 16 homes in Koolewong. Through its brands NRMA Insurance, CGU, WFI, and ROLLiN’, the group has deployed property assessors and a mobile unit to work with affected households on claims and immediate needs. On-site teams are arranging temporary accommodation, emergency financial assistance, psychological support, and claims handling. IAG said it completed assessments of all impacted properties within 48 hours of the fire, allowing make-safe works and short-term housing arrangements to proceed.
NRMA Insurance’s Help Response Vehicle is located at the Koolewong Marina car park on Brisbane Waters Drive, operating from 9am to 4pm to assist customers of IAG brands and local residents seeking information. Claims staff are also contacting policyholders in fire-affected postcodes who may not yet have lodged claims. In parallel, IAG is distributing bushfire preparation material covering evacuation planning, property maintenance to reduce fuel loads, use of apps such as Hazards Near Me NSW, and regular reviews of sums insured and declared values to reflect current rebuilding costs.
In the health insurance market, HCF has introduced a bushfire hardship program for members in disaster-declared areas including the Central Coast, Mid North Coast, Upper Hunter, Muswellbrook, Warrumbungle, and Dubbo. Eligible members can apply for premium waivers of up to three months on HCF, RT Health, and HCF Life policies or choose to temporarily suspend private health cover for up to two years, during which time claims are not payable.
HCF is also offering mental health and telehealth options. Through its HealthyMinds Check-in initiative, members can access registered psychologists via partners My Mirror and PSYCH2U, including services for adolescents aged 12 to 17. A free 15-minute GP telehealth consultation via GP2U is available to members in rural and remote bushfire-affected communities. Within the organisation, HCF has made paid leave available to staff who are registered emergency service volunteers and introduced flexible work arrangements and wellbeing support for employees affected by fires. Members experiencing financial difficulty are being directed to HCF’s Member Support team to discuss available relief options.
In South Australia, insurers are preparing an in-person insurance hub in Port Pirie in mid-December for policyholders with losses from the severe storm that hit the regional centre on Nov. 22. The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA), together with participating insurers, will operate the hub on Dec. 16 and 17 at the Royal Port Pirie Yacht Club from 9am to 5pm. Policyholders will be able to discuss existing claims, confirm policy coverage, and lodge new claims. The ICA said insurers are already handling more than 1,400 claims linked to the storm. Staff at the hub will explain the claims process, outline dispute resolution pathways, and provide information on rebuilding and recovery.
Allianz Australia has deployed its disaster and recovery team to Bribie Island Town Hall in Bongaree, Queensland, as part of its response to the recent storms. From Dec. 2, staff have been providing face-to-face assistance between 9am and 4pm, with the insurer reporting more than 5,000 claims from the event as of that date. The team is helping customers lodge claims, arrange payments, and secure emergency and temporary accommodation. Allianz personnel are also identifying customers who may be experiencing vulnerability and, where suitable, referring them to external support services.
