Insurers on standby in lead up to landfall of Cyclone Jasper

Insurers on standby in lead up to landfall of Cyclone Jasper | Insurance Business Australia

Catastrophe & Flood

Insurers on standby in lead up to landfall of Cyclone Jasper

Insurance council calls on QLD residents to prepare

Catastrophe & Flood

By
Jonalyn Cueto

Insurers are on standby to respond to customers seeking claims for the impact of Cyclone Jasper, a category two system moving towards Queensland near Cairns, according to a news release. Cyclone Jasper is expected to bring forth extremely strong winds, heavy rain, and storm surge. Severe weather warnings are already in place from Cape Melville to Townsville.

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) and insurers have been monitoring the category two system over the last week alongside the Bureau of Meteorology providing forecasts on the landfall by Wednesday lunchtime. Disaster response specialists are also on standby. The ICA is also liaising with the state government, the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, Queensland Reconstruction Authority, and the National Emergency Management Agency in preparation.

Insurers have activated their emergency response procedures and are on standby in case they need to support customers, prioritising those in impacted communities.

“The safety and wellbeing of the community is of paramount importance and while it is still too soon to determine the intensity and trajectory of Cyclone Jasper, insurers stand ready to support customers and to help alleviate the stress and uncertainty associated with this event,” said Andrew Hall, CEO of ICA. “Insurers have placed disaster response specialists on standby to move into affected communities and assist customers with claims as needed.”

In the Press release, the ICA shared some advice on how communities in the Bureau’s Cyclone Jasper warning region can make preparations:

Monitor weather conditions and follow the advice from emergency services
Clear their property and gutters from loose material that may possibly cause injury or damage during extreme winds or heavy rain
Secure boats or vehicles and move their cars under cover
Follow Queensland Reconstruction Authority and Queensland Fire and Emergency services for more information on safety measures in preparation for a cyclone

“This remains an unfolding and unpredictable weather event and insurers’ priority is community safety,” said Hall. “We strongly encourage local communities to monitor weather conditions and listen to emergency services for preparation and evacuation direction.”

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