ICA declares insurance catastrophe

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has declared an insurance catastrophe for parts of South Australia impacted by recent hail, rain, and strong winds. Insurers have received more than 12,000 claims so far and this number is expected to rise.

Motor vehicle claims are two thirds of those currently lodged. It is expected crop losses will be substantial.

Insurers currently anticipate the need to deploy up to 80 specialist assessment and recovery personnel from interstate, including from Victoria and New South Wales.

Under South Australia’s current border regime these insurance disaster responders would be subject to a range of restrictions, including prohibiting entry altogether or having to quarantine for 14 days.

The ICA will continue to monitor the impact of storms and strong winds in Victoria to ascertain whether the insurance catastrophe declaration should be widened to include impacted areas in that State.