The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has widened its Significant Event 254 (SE 254) declaration to include further periods and locations affected by recent severe weather in south-east Queensland.
The declaration, now titled Severe Spring Storms, follows a series of damaging hailstorms and strong winds that occurred from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, in addition to the initial event on Oct. 26 in Brisbane.
According to the ICA, insurers have received nearly 26,000 claims related to these weather events, with reported losses including hail-damaged vehicles, broken windows, compromised solar panels, and roof damage.
While the storms have impacted a broad region, some smaller communities – such as Clifton, Pratten, and Esk – have experienced more concentrated effects.
Insurers are monitoring claims from these areas and have deployed teams locally to assist policyholders with the claims process.
The ICA is urging both homeowners and business operators who have suffered storm-related losses but have not yet submitted a claim to contact their insurer promptly.
The council is also advising policyholders to take proactive steps ahead of the ongoing storm season. These measures include reviewing insurance coverage, inspecting properties for potential hazards, and maintaining a comprehensive inventory of household or business contents.
Andrew Hall, CEO of the ICA, addressed the situation by noting that storms are a familiar occurrence for Queensland residents during this period. He added that the recent episodes of intense winds and hail highlight the arrival of storm season. “Insurers are prioritising claims from these hailstorms, and the ICA will continue monitoring claims counts and impacts over the coming months. If you’re insured and you’ve got damage, your first port of call should always be your insurer,” he said.
The ICA recommends that policyholders:
In the wake of the storms, the ICA has issued a warning about “disaster chasers” – individuals or groups who approach affected residents offering immediate repairs or clean-up services, often for upfront cash payments. These operators may pressure residents to sign contracts on the spot, sometimes promising that insurers will cover the costs.
However, insurers will only pay for work that is approved and covered by the policy, and policyholders may be left with out-of-pocket expenses if they engage unauthorised contractors.
Liam Walter, ICA director of mitigation and extreme weather response, said: “Unfortunately, disaster chasers can emerge soon after a storm and target impacted householders. They can leave families, the elderly and vulnerable Australians much worse off, with large bills and homes that remain damaged. If you’re in doubt, get in touch with your insurer.”
The ICA advises that:
Those who have signed contracts with disaster chasers have a statutory 10-day cooling-off period and can seek assistance from their insurer to end such agreements.
The ICA continues to monitor the situation and provide support to those impacted by the storms. Policyholders who have experienced damage but have not yet lodged a claim are encouraged to contact their insurer, even if the full extent of the damage is not immediately clear.
The council emphasises the importance of working directly with insurers to ensure repairs and claims are managed according to policy terms and to avoid complications associated with unauthorised contractors.
