On 6 March 2010 a thunderstorm described by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology as a “super cell storm” swept through Melbourne in the State of Victoria.
As the afternoon progressed the size of hailstones described by news reports increased from golf balls to tennis balls and then to large lemons!
It caused widespread flash flooding, water and hail damage to property.
While damage occurred across Greater Melbourne as well as country areas many claims were received from the inner city, South Melbourne and Scoresby.
As commuters tried to avoid being injured by pelting hail, major thorough fares such as Flinders street, Melbourne and City Road in South Melbourne resembled raging torrents disabling vehicles, knocking out plate glass windows, turning stairwells into waterfalls and leaving a trail of water soaked property in its wake.
Only two days after the event the Insurance Council of Australia reported the insurance industry had received some 20,000 claims. The volume grew considerably in the ensuing weeks creating an enormous workload for claims personnel, building contractors, vehicle repairers, etc.
Just over a fortnight after the debilitating Melbourne event, on 22 March 2010, Perth in Western Australia was similarly pounded by catastrophic weather.
The Bureau of Meteorology reported this storm produced the largest hail known to have occurred in Perth. It also reported the storm was one of the costliest natural disasters in Perth’s history.
In addition to power blackouts, properties including homes, schools, hospitals, vehicles and libraries were damaged. A landslip occurred at Kings Park and several apartment buildings had to be evacuated.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
Severe weather events will occur again and it is important to respond appropriately: -
- Determine and photograph the damage.
- Notify your Insurer and determine their requirements.
- Arrange for any emergency or temporary repairs to be completed. Ensure your safety if you are completing the repairs yourself.
- Do not turn on wet electrical components.
- Where possible move contents away from water ingress.
- Do not dispose of any property until the Insurer or their representative has had the opportunity of inspecting it.
- Obtain clarification of your insurance cover.
- Prepare a detailed list of all damaged items and prepare estimates or obtain quotations for repair.
- Prepare a list of all destroyed items and obtain quotations for replacement value.
- If you are a tenant and the building is unfit for occupation check the lease agreement and determine if it provides for an abatement of rent.
- If appropriate, locate alternate temporary accommodation.
- Engage builders and/or contractors to perform permanent repairs.
- Maintain a file containing all communications, quotations and invoices.
- Submit claims periodically and request a progress payment.
CONCLUSION
We cannot stop storms but we can prepare your insurance claim and facilitate reinstatement of your business. If you require any assistance in relation to this or similar events to those described in this newsletter your queries are welcome.
Author
Claim Solutions Pty Ltd
Insurance Policy
Country: - Australia
Policy Description: - Various
Insurer: - Various
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