Flood victims are banking on the insurance industry coming to the table when forums are held to help alleviate the stress of recovery from flood damage in northern NSW.
Many places in the North Coast, including Lismore, suffered the worst floods in 50 years after a deluge from the remnants of Cyclone Debbie hit the area. The damage bill is set to run into the tens of millions in Lismore alone, with many businesses saying they will never reopen. The floods devastated parts of Lismore’s CBD area.
The NSW Government will host a series of forums to help victims of the floods wanting to get claims processed.
The NSW Government will work with the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) and the major insurers at forums to be held next week for businesses and residents in flood-affected regions of Northern NSW, to assist policyholders with their insurance claims.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Small Business, John Barilaro, said the forums would build on the ground support which is being provided by the NSW Government to affected businesses.
“The Office of the NSW Small Business Commissioner and the Department of Industry’s Business Connect team of advisers have been doing all they can to support the many small businesses who’ve been devastated by this disaster,” Mr Barilaro said.
“The team is proactively working with the ICA and other groups and will be there as long as businesses need their support – be it in the recovery centres, on the Business Bus, and also mobile.
“Representatives from all insurance companies will be invited to attend the workshops and ICA staff will also be located at recovery centres to provide one-on-one support to both businesses and residents in the affected areas.
"We will be here in the weeks, months and year ahead to make sure our communities get back on their feet."
Member for Lismore, Thomas George, said the Office of the NSW Small Business Commissioner (OSBC) had been working closely with the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) to assist business affected by the floods.
“We’ve moved quickly from response to recovery in terms of helping businesses impacted by the floods and we know that concerns around cash-flow and insurance are at the top of the list,” he said.
“That’s why the OSBC is working closely with the ICA on these forums to provide clear information on the claims process and to help connect policyholders with their insurers so they can ask specific and direct questions relating to their insurance matters.”
The policyholder-only forums will take place on the following dates:
• Lismore: Thursday April 27, 6-9pm
• Tweed Heads: Friday April 28, 6-9pm
For policyholder registration and for venue details call 1800 734 621.