Insurance
INSURANCE INFORMATION
The Department of Human Services recommends that in the event that your home is damaged or destroyed by a flood, make contact with your insurance company as soon as possible to register your intention to claim and seek advice about the claim process under your policy.
All insurance policies vary. You should also contact your insurer to arrange for an assessment. Don’t be worried if your insurance papers have been destroyed during the flood, as insurance companies keep records electronically and only require the policyholder’s name and address.
If you are unable to identify your insurer you can contact the http://www.insurancecouncil.com.au/ Insurance Council of Australia or telephone 1300 728 228 – for general inquiries. They will be able to provide advice and assistance with identifying your insurance company.
Insurance Council of Australia – Catastrophe Hotline – 1300 444 557
The Council of Australia has a number of fact sheets available about flood, natural disasters and tips for consumers. This includes a pdf document called ‘Consumer Tips for Disaster Recovery’ Available
http://www.insurancecouncil.com.au/Portals/24/For%20Consumers/Risk%20&%20Disaster/Insurance%20Council%20-%20Tips%20for%20Disaster%20Recovery%2022MAR11.pdf here. Or by copying and pasting this link into your browser.
This fact sheet gives consumers a step to step guide covering how to make a claim, as well as contacts for insurers throughout Australia.
The Insurance Law Service 1300 663 464
The Insurance Law Service is a free legal service available to anyone in Australia who would like advice on insurance law or in resolving a dispute with an insurer. The Insurance Law Service is set up to act as a point of first contact for the general public to get advice as to their rights and legal remedies when they are dealing with insurers or find themselves in an insurance dispute.
The Insurance Law Service is also able, in certain circumstances, to provide legal assistance in either an ongoing Insurance Dispute Resolution Scheme or a relevant Court Proceeding.
The Insurance Law Service and Flood specific information 1300 663 464
Here is the link to the specific area on their website:
http://www.insurancelaw.org.au/fact-sheets/flood-insurance/
Here are the embedded links to each section of their flood guide.
|
PART 1 |
http://www.insurancelaw.org.au/fact-sheets/flood-insurance/#Part 1 | Are you covered for flood damage? |
| PART 2 | http://www.insurancelaw.org.au/fact-sheets/flood-insurance/#Part 2 | What is flood water? |
| PART 3 | http://www.insurancelaw.org.au/fact-sheets/flood-insurance/#Part 3 | What caused the damage? |
| PART 4 | http://www.insurancelaw.org.au/fact-sheets/flood-insurance/#Part 4 |
Who has to determine the cause and how? |
| PART 5 | http://www.insurancelaw.org.au/fact-sheets/flood-insurance/#Part 5 |
The General Insurance Code of Practice applying to flood disasters |
| PART 6 | http://www.insurancelaw.org.au/fact-sheets/flood-insurance/#Part 6 |
Additional benefits under your policy |
| PART 7 | http://www.insurancelaw.org.au/fact-sheets/flood-insurance/#Part 7 |
How do you make a claim? |
PART 8 |
http://www.insurancelaw.org.au/fact-sheets/flood-insurance/#Part 8 |
What can you do if your claim is refused and how do you raise a complaint? |
The Financial Ombudsman’s Service – 1800 337 444
The Financial Ombudsman Service fairly and independently resolves disputes between consumers — including some small businesses — and member financial services providers. This includes insurers.
To support the victims of natural disasters, the Financial Ombudsman Service has set up a dedicated hotline to provide help and information on financial hardship, insurance claims and other financial issues experienced as a result of extreme weather events.
Please call 1800 337 444 and your call will be put directly through to our disaster helpline team. Alternatively, you can email the team at FOSdisaster@fos.org.au
Hydrologists Reports and other sources of information
From Financial Ombudsman Service:
The hydrologist is a water specialist who will assess how your property was affected. They are able to determine if your property was affected by storm water or flood water. The information collected by the hydrologist is vital in cases where it is not clear which event came first, storm damage or the flood damage.
The hydrologist’s report is passed on to the insurer to help them make a decision on your claim. The report will generally include the following information:
• the amount of rainfall that fell before the creek or river broke its banks
• where the creek or river broke its banks
• the path the flood water took from the time it broke its banks until it reached your home.
From the Insurance Law Service:
· Hydrologist reports – if one is already provided by your insurer, it may be based on incorrect assumptions or be inconsistent with other reliable evidence (e.g., eyewitness reports), so seek an independent report.
· Local Council – flood history of your local area, evidence of soil drainage in your area, water flow paths, maps showing the location of watercourses and stormwater drains in your area, council commissioned hydrology reports, contour maps etc.
· Your own property survey plan – height of property, location of stormwater drains etc.
· Eyewitness statements
· Photos and videos or other reliable records (homemade or media based) of rainwater inundating your area and or your house.
· Bureau of Meteorology – Rainfall data, when and where river levels peaked etc.
· Local community of flood victims – Your neighbour for example, may have already commissioned their own independent hydrologist’s report.
Further Information
Natural Disasters - Are you experiencing financial difficulty?
Natural Disasters - Flood and Storm Insurance ClaimsFinancial Consellors Toolkit - Insurance Excesses1
Maurice Blackburn_B Fact Sheet Insurance Info For Floods