As residents of Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Northern New South Wales prepare to bunker down in their homes intrepidly awaiting Tropical Cyclone Alfred, Attwood Marshall Lawyers remains open as usual to support our clients in our offices and via our 24-hour helpline. Legal Practice Director, Jeff Garrett remembers the previous cyclone to hit the region and offers some practical tips to stay safe, remain informed, and provides advice on insurance considerations before and after the storm.
According to news reports, Tropical Cyclone Alfred will be one of the biggest weather events in Australia’s recent history. This week the Queensland coast has seen waves more than 12 metres high and shores in coastal towns have already been inundated by Alfred which has been labelled a category two tropical cyclone, with wind speeds of between 125 and 164 kilometres per hour.
Although Cyclone Alfred is said to be the worst cyclone in fifty years, its predecessor, Cyclone Zoe, in 1974 caused similar despair.
Living in Brisbane at the time, I was worried in our little fibro house when the winds were at their worst during the cyclone, and the eerie calm when the eye crossed over us.
We got through Zoe, and we will get through Alfred.
Our firm believes we all have a leadership role we can fulfil in a disaster, servicing our clients in the office and wherever else they need us, whenever they need us, on our 24-hour helpline, 1800 621 071.
According to newspaper reports, the Bureau of Meteorology now suggests the storm has slowed down and won’t hit landfall tonight or the early hours of Friday morning, as earlier predicted. The Bureau says it could be late Friday or even Saturday before the storm reaches land in populated areas.
So, there is still time to consider a few practical tips to protect your families and your homes.
Safety tips and how to stay updated
Forewarned is forearmed as they say and the earlier you prepare, the better.
Queensland Government has a dedicated website for advice on Tropical Cyclone, Alfred; Get Ready Queensland. The New South Wales Government also has a dedicated emergency page about essential information and support to help you plan for the storms. There is a downloadable, Emergency Kit Checklist available for a full list of essentials.
Both state governments advise on everything from where to get shelter, what to do about pets, your car, your home and what to do in the case of storm surges or floods. They also advise to get in touch with your local council to find out about services in your area and evacuation centres.
The overall advice is, if possible, stay in your home for the next 48 hours. Even if conditions seem calm, they can change rapidly, making travel or being outdoors extremely dangerous.
Should things take a turn for the worst, ensure you take shelter in your home in a small, windowless room like a bathroom, laundry, pantry, hallway or built-in wardrobe, away from windows and external doors. Ensure you choose the most solid corner of your house, furthest away from the wind direction.
Consider being in the house for a few days without access to supermarkets, water or power. Prepare for this by stocking up on water, non-perishable food, and essential medications and personal hygiene items. A first aid kit, flashlight, extra batteries, and a battery-powered radio are also useful.
Insurance considerations after the clean up
During the Christmas storms of 2023, and the Lismore Floods of 2022, we advised clients on how to prepare for and deal with the inevitable clean up, including making insurance claims.
It is vital to check your policies now to determine the level of cover you have, and to avoid nasty surprises when it comes to making a claim. Check personal details, coverage and any exemptions that may apply to your policy. It’s all in the finer details of your product disclosure statement. You may find you want to amend your policy if it is possible, before the storms hit. Also make sure you have paid your premium!
If you have a home and contents insurance policy, it should cover you for damage caused by:
- Storm and rainwater (flood cover is often optional or an “extra”)
- Lightning
- Impact at home, such as fallen trees
- Fire
- Theft (or attempted theft)
- Escape of liquid, such as a burst pipes
- Breakage of glass, ceramic and sanitary fixtures
- Malicious damage, vandalism, riot, or civil commotion
- Explosion
- Earthquake or tsunami.
Tips to help you make an insurance claim
- Act fast. Contact your insurer as soon as possible if your property is damaged during the cyclone.
- Understand your cover: Read your policy and understand your product disclosure statement. You will only be able to claim what you are covered for.
- Gather evidence: Collect as much information and evidence as you can to support your claim. Take pictures and video of the damage to your property. Make a list of the items that have been damaged, including items that may have been destroyed inside your home. If you have receipts, warranties, or bank statements showing the purchase of these items to prove their value, start getting these together.
- Keep records: When communicating with the insurer, keep written notes of all your communication and the dates these took place.
- Know your rights: If you are struggling to get in contact with your insurance company or they are not returning your call in a reasonable timeframe, you have rights.
An insurer must respond to your claim within ten business days of receiving the claim. If the insurer stalls or denies your claim unfairly, you can complain to the Insurance Code Compliance Committee online, via email, or over the phone. For more information, click here. You can also refer the matter to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) if this is unsuccessful.
If your claim is denied, it is important to seek expert legal advice to understand your rights and what options may be available to you. Read more here about claiming insurance after storm damage.
You can also read more from our Commercial Litigation Partner, Charles Lethbridge who knows the turmoil clients can face when dealing with insurance companies in protracted claims. He has written an article giving his seven top tips for dealing with your insurance company.
Other key considerations before the cyclone hits
Don’t forget to keep your personal and legal documents safe during these unexpected weather events.
Gather passports, your Will, and any other legal documents you may hold the originals to, and put them in a safe, waterproof container you can keep with you to ensure they do not get lost or destroyed.
Attwood Marshall Lawyers stores its clients’ Wills and other important legal documents in a custom-made fire-proof strongroom, a free service offered to all clients.
Read more about the importance of safeguarding your Will here.
Attwood Marshall Lawyers – here for you, through life’s toughest times
Attwood Marshall Lawyers remain open with our lawyers continuing to be available for our clients.
It is our intent to help people and change their lives for the better. Stay safe and take care of yourselves and your properties during this challenging time. Should you need to contact us, please call our 24/7 phone line on 1800 621 071.
