Bushfire insurance claims estimate $138 million losses

Jennifer DukeDecember 7, 2020

On Friday, the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) estimated losses at $138 million, with 1,011 claims lodged with insurers.

ICA CEO Rob Whelan said that home owners, when returning to their properties, needed to consider the advice of local authorities.

For instance, the community of Winmalee has been briefed on asbestos-related safety issues by Workcover.

"While claims lodgements have stabilised over the past couple of days, we expect these to begin climbing again as returning residents assess any property damage," Whelan said

"Insurance assessors have reviewed a number of properties with some policyholders already receiving payouts from their home or contents insurance,” he said.

"Assessors will continue this review process and also begin inspecting damage in areas not previously accessible.”

The ICA urges all property owners to lodge a claim as soon as possible, even if they are unaware  of the full extent their losses.

Jennifer Duke

Jennifer Duke was a property writer at Property Observer

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