Cyclone Pool to Address $1.7 Billion in Claims After Alfred's Impact
Cyclone Pool to Address $1.7 Billion in Claims After Alfred's Impact
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The destruction caused by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred is projected to demand approximately $1.7 billion in claims from the reinsurance pool, according to Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers.
As the cyclone swept across Queensland on March 8, over 63,000 claims have already been lodged with insurers.
The insurance coverage through the cyclone pool ceased 48 hours later, highlighting the widespread devastation in its wake.
Treasurer Chalmers, speaking from Queensland, emphasized that the government has earmarked about $1.2 billion in the forthcoming budget to aid cyclone-hit communities, focusing on both immediate hardship alleviations and long-term infrastructure rebuilding. This budgetary provision is critical as it supports local communities in their recovery efforts, reinforcing infrastructure, and ensuring that the social safety nets are equipped to handle such crises.
The Insurance Council of Australia has classified the event as a catastrophe, further underpinning the magnitude of the response required. Chalmers noted the ongoing dialogues with insurance providers, acknowledging the potential rise in building costs due to increased demand for reconstruction services, while aiming to contain inflationary pressures.
With insurance premiums already a key driver for inflation, concerns are rising over the potential affordability of insurance in disaster-prone areas. Chalmers emphasized the need for continuous government intervention to mitigate these costs. The cyclone pool, established as a financial safety net, was deemed significant but in need of further impact on insurance premiums.
Expected to announce the 2025-26 budget soon, Chalmers, alongside Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones and MP Daniel Mulino, remains engaged in assessing additional measures stemming from the 2022 floods inquiry. The goal is to bolster market resilience and effectiveness while curbing insurance-related inflation. Despite advancements in affordability and market stability, Chalmers acknowledged the enduring challenges within the insurance sector.
In 2024, Australia's insurance industry reported an after-tax profit of $6.1 billion, a figure that is three times higher than the five-year average of $2 billion. This substantial increase is attributed to a combination of factors, including significant premium hikes and a reduction in severe weather events. - read more
Many Australian consumers are experiencing substantial increases in their insurance premiums, often without clear explanations from their providers. Reports indicate that some policyholders have faced premium hikes of 30% to 50%, with instances of increases reaching several hundred percent. - read more
Homeowners in Northern Australia are encountering rising insurance premiums, despite the establishment of a cyclone reinsurance pool intended to reduce costs. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) reports that median home and contents premiums in the Northern Territory increased by 11% during 2023. - read more
In Australia, tradies are the backbone of many local communities, providing essential services in fields such as construction, plumbing, electrical work, and more. These skilled professionals often operate their own businesses or work as contractors, making financial stability paramount. - read more
Running a trade business in Australia comes with its own set of unique challenges and risks. Whether you're an electrician, plumber, builder, or any other type of tradesperson, protecting your livelihood is crucial. - read more
Public liability insurance is a type of coverage designed to protect you in the event that a member of the public is injured or their property is damaged because of your business activities. It's essential for tradespeople whose everyday work involves interacting with clients and the public—or working in environments where accidents could happen. - read more
Knowledgebase
Moral Hazard: The concept that individuals may take on more risk when they do not bear the full consequences of that risk, often relevant in insurance scenarios.
