Jasper clean-up continues in FNQ as Suncorp teams deploy

It comes after the Insurance Council of Australia yesterday declared ex-TC Jasper an Insurance Catastrophe, prioritising customers impacted by the disaster as well as activating services and support.

So far, more than 1200 claims have been lodged across the Suncorp Group, including more than 900 for homes, and that number is expected to rise with damage assessments now able to be conducted.

Suncorp Group’s Executive General Manager of Home Claims Customers, Alli Smith said it was now safe to deploy insurance teams to the region to help support customers.

“The damage from ex-TC Jasper has been severe and widespread. It has also made getting our teams to Cairns before now unsafe, and safety is always the number one priority,” Mrs Smith said.

“Now that it’s safe to get our boots on the ground, our teams will start mobilising from today and over the next few weeks.

“A recovery centre in Cairns will open today at the Trinity Bay High School from 9am - 4pm and that’s where our Customer Support Team will be, and our Assessors will be out and about visiting damaged homes.”

Mrs Smith said Suncorp’s local tradies had already been on the ground stripping out damaged homes and helping make emergency repairs and claims contact centres have been available around the clock to help impacted customers lodge claims, arrange emergency repairs, organise temporary accommodation and provide emergency cash payments.

“Our claims teams have been busy making proactive welfare calls, sending emails and SMSs with information on the claims process. We are also warning customers of scams that can often happen after severe weather events,” she said.

“It’s been heart-warming to see the whole community rallying for impacted Far North communities which is what Queenslanders do best after natural disasters.

“We want to commend the swift emergency response from all levels of government in dealing with this disaster and thank our partners the Queensland SES and everyone else helping with the clean-up.

“Recovering from a natural disaster can take months, sometimes years, but Suncorp will be right there side by side the whole way helping our customers rebuild and get back on their feet.”