Suncorp assisting bushfire-affected customers across Australia
Leading insurer Suncorp has deployed its national resources, including support teams, assessors and builders, to assist customers and communities impacted by the catastrophic fires across the country.
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Suncorp is urging customers of all its insurance brands, including AAMI, GIO and Apia to continue following the instructions of emergency authorities in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, and if they have suffered damage to their properties, to lodge their claim as soon as it is safe.
Suncorp Group CEO Steve Johnston said our thoughts are with the firefighters, families and communities who are faced with this ongoing and devastating natural disaster.
“Our immediate priority is to help our customers by making the claims process as simple as possible and ensuring they are aware of all the benefits they are entitled to, including temporary accommodation, emergency funds and financial assistance. Affected homeowners are being given a dedicated client manager to provide a single point of contact to help make the process as smooth as possible,” Mr Johnston said.
“Our assessors, builders, client managers and Customer Support Teams are being deployed to affected communities as soon as it is safe. Recently, our teams have been in Taree, Picton and Lithgow, and will move into the Southern Highlands in NSW this week, and the South Coast and East Gippsland in Victoria when possible. We have also had teams in South Australia’s Adelaide Hills region.
“We also had a specialist customer team at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre to help those who were evacuated from Mallacoota.
“We understand the emotional toll this will have on many Australians and there is no denying it will be a long journey to recovery, but our customers can be assured that we will be with them every step of the way.”
Our assessors, builders, client managers and Customer Support Teams are being deployed to affected communities as soon as it is safe.
Steve Johnston, Suncorp Group CEO
Mr Johnston said the bushfires highlighted the importance of all levels of government, local communities and businesses working together to make Australia more resilient to natural disasters.
“We continue to see communities hit by floods, bushfires and cyclones. Increasing Australia’s disaster resilience requires a focus on preparation and mitigation activities, including land-use planning, improving building infrastructure in high-risk areas and vegetation management in both regional and urban fringe areas,” he said.
Suncorp has received more than 1500 claims since the fires began in November however the full impact will not be known for several weeks until areas are safe to access.
Mr Johnston also announced a financial relief package is available for impacted Suncorp Bank customers, which offers delayed repayments and flexible finance options. Bushfire-affected customers are encouraged to contact Suncorp on 13 11 55 or get in touch with their relationship manager to understand how Suncorp can help.
Customers can lodge a claim by contacting any brand including:
GIO www.gio.com.au 13 14 46
Apia www.apia.com.au 13 50 50
The company’s network of insurance brands also includes, Shannons, Vero, Bingle, Terri Scheer and CIL.
Photo by Casey Jade.
