As northern NSW communities mark the one-year anniversary after historic flooding hit the region, local brokers say many residents continue to face a difficult path to rebuild their lives.<\/p>\n
Avid Insurance Brokers MD Dave Katschke, based in Alstonville, tells insuranceNEWS.com.au that despite most flood-related claims having been resolved, the process \u201chas not been an easy task,\u201d noting issues with insurers\u2019 handling.<\/p>\n
\u201cOverall, the service standard expected from the insurers has not been acceptable to the insureds or brokers,\u201d Mr Katschke said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is not uncommon for our office to contact an insurer on multiple occasions and not receive a response for weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Katschke says insurers\u2019 actions have placed unnecessary stress on his clientele during a difficult period by complicating claims handling.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe commonly see multiple claims handlers on a single claim which delays the claim process due to the new claims handler being unfamiliar with previous correspondence\/discussions,\u201d Mr Katschke said.<\/p>\n
About 10% of Mr Katschke\u2019s clients\u2019 claims remain unresolved due to delays caused by specialists or ongoing Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) complaints.<\/p>\n
He says while insurers have provided some clients with temporary accommodation, issues remain due to the \u201cdistinct lack of available accommodation within the region\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve had insurers agree to hire caravans in place of homes just so that clients have a place to call \u2018home\u2019 while repairs are underway,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
As the 12-months offered for most insurers\u2019 temporary accommodation benefits comes to a close, policyholders are now at risk of losing their provided living arrangements.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor those who have not already done so, we are seeing insureds move back into their partially repaired properties or back with family\/friends,\u201d Mr Katschke said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the most part, properties are \u2018liveable\u2019 but not restored back to the condition that they were in 12 months ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
Beyond issues with claims, locals are facing an ongoing crisis of insurance affordability, with premiums exponentially rising, leaving many lacking the required amount of protection for future events.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we\u2019re finding right across Northern NSW is the region has been blanketed as a high-risk zone, not only due to flooding but storms damage as well,\u201d Mr Katschke said.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of the insurers who used to provide coverage for Home, Landlord & Farm products are declining outright to offer a quote which has severely limited the coverage options for insureds.\u201d<\/p>\n
But Mr Katschke spoke highly of the local community\u2019s resilience during the recovery process, saying it has remained united in the face of the devastation.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur community is very close with one another and in the face of tragedy, we\u2019ve seen heroes be born,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has been and continues to be a huge battle to rebuild lives and properties all across the region but we are resilient and there is great comfort in knowing that we have one another to lean on in our time of need.\u201d<\/p>\n
Claims Manager at Ballina Insurance Brokers Kerry Humphries says many of those with flood cover were provided with temporary accommodation, but needed to stay at their properties to prevent theft.<\/p>\n
\u201cTheft is still rife,\u201d she said. \u201cThose with no flood cover had to fend for themselves. Many had to sleep on the floors in their damaged homes.\u201d<\/p>\n
She says flood cover is unaffordable, or unavailable.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a result, the community will be forced to take cover excluding flood, which will leave them exposed to uninsurance should this type of event occur again.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany people are suffering and some will not recover from this event. Mentally and physically many have been pushed to the limit.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are many shops closed still in Lismore. This will take years to recover from. If another event of this magnitude occurs in the next one to three years, you could kiss Lismore goodbye.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
insuranceNEWS.com.au \u2013 23\/02\/2023<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.insurancenews.com.au\/the-broker-2\/not-acceptable-nsw-brokers-flag-recovery-concerns-one-year-after-floods<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
‘Not acceptable’: NSW brokers flag recovery concerns one year after floods As northern NSW communities mark the one-year anniversary after historic flooding hit the region, local brokers say many residents continue to face a difficult path to rebuild their lives. Avid Insurance Brokers MD Dave Katschke, based in Alstonville, tells insuranceNEWS.com.au that despite most flood-related […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":51,"featured_media":1504,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n