The Northern Beaches community was battered by a severe storm on Sunday 19 December, which saw hundreds of homes from Forestville to Mona Vale damaged by dangerous winds and heavy rain. With Christmas just around the corner, we’re helping customers affected by the storm get back on their feet as quickly as possible.
Across NSW, VIC and the ACT, we’ve received over 1,300 claims since 17 December 2021, across IAG’s brands (including NRMA Insurance and CGU Insurance), with 442 on the Northern Beaches. The majority of claims were for property damage.
The NRMA Help Response Vehicle has been deployed to the Collaroy Plateau Youth and Community Centre to deliver immediate customer assistance and to help with their recovery.
This vehicle is fitted with satellite technology that allows it to operate as a mobile claims centre in communities that have been impacted by severe weather events, particularly when power may have been cut.
Our dedicated staff members working from the vehicle are standing by to handle claims and provide customers with any support they need, including organising building make safes, assessments and property repairs.
While safety should remain the number one priority, we are encouraging customers to lodge their claim online or via the phone as soon as it is safe to do so.Luke Gallagher
IAG Executive General Manager, Direct Claims
We’re also working closely with our NSW SES partners who received almost 1,200 calls for help as strong winds damaged areas around Dee Why, Narrabeen and Forestville.
IAG Executive General Manager, Claims, Luke Gallagher said: “What we saw in the Northern Beaches storm shows that extreme weather can happen very suddenly and sadly, can have tragic consequences. It can affect us all, no matter where we live, so we are urging everyone to think about how they can be better prepared to help prevent damage to their property and local area.
“While safety should remain the number one priority, we are encouraging customers to lodge their claim online or via the phone as soon as it is safe to do so.
“We have builders and assessors in the impacted areas assessing the damage to our customers’ homes, ensuring their properties are safe and arranging temporary accommodation.
“With Storm Season underway until March, simple actions now can help prevent damage. Remembering to tie down any loose items in your yard, such as outdoor furniture doesn’t take long to do but it can make a big difference when a storm hits.”
With power outages still being experienced in some Northern Beaches suburbs, we encourage customers to contact us for urgent assistance and claims support, by calling us:
NRMA Insurance: 1300 549 193
CGU Insurance: 13 24 80
