Additional specialised assessing resources have now joined claims managers and our Customer Support Teams on the ground in the impacted regions at Recovery Hubs in Holloways Beach, Smithfield, Tamborine Mountain, Tamborine Village, Mudgeeraba and Upper Coomera.

Suncorp Group CEO Steve Johnston, who will travel to Cairns on Wednesday to meet with teams and attend the government’s insurance industry roundtable, said the insurer was working as quickly as possible to progress claims.

“I have been on the ground in Cairns and the South East and the damage from these severe weather events has been devastating,” Mr Johnston said.

“From a cyclone, flooding and storms that have impacted the east coast since November, our teams are currently dealing with nearly 28,000 total insurance claims across not only Queensland but New South Wales and Victoria as well, including more than 20,000 claims for homes.

“Queensland has been the hardest hit with more than 17,500 total claims, including more than 13,900 for homes. This includes a total of more than 2,000 claims in the Far North and more than 14,000 total claims in the South East.

“In Queensland, we have already finalised nearly a quarter of claims and I want to thank our teams for working as quickly as possible to get these completed.

“Our customer support teams, assessors and builders are on the ground actively aiding customers in impacted regions. They are supporting customers with everything from lodging claims, arranging temporary accommodation, making emergency payments, builder referrals, as well as helping direct to additional support services.

“Recovering from natural disasters is never easy and can be long and challenging journey. We want our customers to know we are here to help get them back on their feet as quickly as possible.

“These events have been another tragic reminder of the devastating impact of extreme weather, particular with lives, homes and businesses lost. I want to thank everyone involved in helping these communities rebuild.

“We will continue to support our customers and their communities and will work with the government to make sure what should be done is being done as part of recovery efforts.”