As I travel my electorate and talk to residents who are affected by the floods and storm damage, I find that some are still waiting for insurance assessors to visit before they begin to clean up.
I want to assure residents of flood-hit towns that they can begin cleaning up as soon as emergency services declare it is safe for them to return to their properties.
The Insurance Council of Australia confirms that policyholders do not need to wait for insurance assessors to visit their property to begin cleaning up. However, safety is paramount. Heed the advice of emergency services and only return to your home or business when they say it is safe to do so.
Once you return to your home, remove any water or mud-damaged goods that pose a health risk. Remember, you do not need to wait for an assessor to begin cleaning up, but contact your insurer, lodge a claim and advise them of your intention as soon as possible.
As evidence to support your claim take pictures of damage to property and possessions, and keep samples of materials from damaged goods. This will be used by your insurer to process your claim as quickly as possible. Contact your insurer before authorising repairs. Emergency repairs should only be carried out in the first instance to make the property safe.
Insurers are working as fast as possible to inspect damaged properties, complete their assessments and speed up the recovery effort.