Thursday, February 17, 2011

Local TIO staff and consultants assessing cyclone damage

TIO has deployed a team of local staff and consultants to help assess cyclone and flood damage from Cyclone Carlos.


CEO Richard Harding said extra help has been brought in from local experts to field the large number of potential claims.

“It’s important that we get people to the damage spots as quickly as possible, but it’s even more important that people secure their homes and belongings,” Mr Harding said.

“People will not be jeopardising their insurance cover if they take action to protect their homes and safety before assessors can get to them.

“We’ve had a large number of calls from customers, so we are asking people to be patient as we quickly work through all claims.”

To 3pm today about 200 claims have been lodged for damage valued at around $1 million, but it is still early days. Most claims have been for damage to buildings and contents while a small number have been for vehicles.

"We know a number of customers have had flood damage and I want to assure them that their TIO policy does cover them,” Mr Harding said.

“At TIO flood cover means flood cover.”

This is the text of a media release from TIO
For further information please contact:
Chris Thiel Head of Corporate Relations,
Telephone: 8946 2651, Mobile: 0407216650

TIO Working to Assess Cyclone and Flood Damage

Media release from TIO

TIO assessors are working in the community to assess claims as ex-Cyclone Carlos moves away from Darwin.

Chief Executive Richard Harding said the full picture on damage is not yet clear as calls continue to come into the claims centre.

"We've obviously had a high volume of calls, so we are asking our customers to be patient as we work through the claims," he said.

"The good news is that we have not seen widespread severe damage to personal property across the city and rural areas.

“As at 11am this morning, we have received around 140 claims at an estimated value of $700 000, but it is still early days and we expect to hear from more customers.

“Around 95 per cent of the claims have been for damage to building and contents, with the remaining being for vehicle damage.

"We know a number of customers have had flood damage and I want to assure them that their TIO policy does cover them. At TIO flood cover means flood cover.

"We have also seen some damage to cars and other property from fallen trees as well as water damage.

hope to have more information later today about the number of claims and the extent of the damage."

For further information please contact:
Chris Thiel Head of Corporate Relations
Telephone: 8946 2651
Mobile: 0407216650