Life Insurance Australia :: News
SHARE

Share this news item!

Flood victims receive $6 million in compensation from insurance companies following complaints

Flood victims receive $6 million in compensation from insurance companies following complaints

Flood victims receive $6 million in compensation from insurance companies following complaints?w=400

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.

The recent flood disasters in Victoria and New South Wales have resulted in nearly $6 million in compensation to policyholders affected by the floods, according to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA).
Data from the AFCA revealed that 1,064 flood-related complaints were recorded as of December 31, with the majority of complaints related to home building insurance (74%) and home contents insurance (9%).

The AFCA's lead ombudsman for insurance, Emma Curtis, acknowledged that the scale of natural disasters in Australia, combined with shortages of labor and materials, have caused delays in insurers assessing claims and completing repair work. She emphasized the importance of insurers promptly assessing claims, informing customers about expected time frames, and clearly communicating about claims options.

Victorian Nationals leader Peter Walsh also commented on the issue, noting that there has been a substantial increase in insurance policy premiums for postcodes threatened by floods since the 2022-23 Victorian and New South Wales flood crisis. He highlighted the need for healthy competition among insurance companies to keep prices reasonable in flood-prone areas.

In response, a spokesperson for the Victorian government stated that they are working with the Commonwealth government and the Insurance Council of Australia to explore ways to make insurance more affordable and accessible to residents of Victoria.

Published:Friday, 27th Jan 2023
Author: Paige Estritori

Please Note: We do not endorse any specific products or companies. Some content is sourced from third parties, including press releases, and may not be independently verified for accuracy or completeness.

Share this news item:

Rate this article

0 Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.

Insurance News

NHVR Prohibition Notice Puts Fleet Systems Under the Insurance Microscope
NHVR Prohibition Notice Puts Fleet Systems Under the Insurance Microscope
12 Nov 2026: Paige Estritori
A fresh National Heavy Vehicle Regulator action against a heavy vehicle operator is a timely reminder that insurance risk is not limited to what happens at the moment of a crash. The NHVR announced on 30 October 2026 that it had issued a prohibition notice after identifying significant and ongoing safety risks, including repeated defects in safety-critical systems and concerns about the operator’s management controls. - read more
Diagnosis timing is not the only test for income cover
Diagnosis timing is not the only test for income cover
12 Nov 2026: Paige Estritori
A recent income protection dispute has put fresh attention on a difficult but important issue for Australian workers: a medical condition may be treated as pre-existing even where a formal diagnosis comes later. The case, reported on 9 November 2026, involved a prostate cancer claim that was declined after the Australian Financial Complaints Authority accepted that earlier medical warning signs and specialist investigations were enough to trigger a pre-existing condition exclusion. - read more
Fuel Recovery Order Restarts, Raising Insurance Budget Questions
Fuel Recovery Order Restarts, Raising Insurance Budget Questions
12 Nov 2026: Paige Estritori
The Fair Work Commission’s varied fuel cost recovery order will restart obligations from 23 November 2026, requiring covered road transport contractual chains to account for higher fuel costs against the 6 March 2026 benchmark. For truck operators, the immediate issue is contract pricing, but the insurance angle is also important: cash flow, route choices, subcontracting arrangements and vehicle utilisation all influence how risk is presented and managed. - read more
Court Ruling Highlights Why TPD Wording Matters for Business Owners
Court Ruling Highlights Why TPD Wording Matters for Business Owners
12 Nov 2026: Paige Estritori
A Queensland Court of Appeal decision involving AIA Australia has put renewed attention on how technical policy conditions can affect total and permanent disability claims, and why business owners should not treat insurance wording as a background detail. The case concerned group TPD cover held through superannuation, but its broader message is relevant to SMEs that rely on life, TPD and disability-style cover to protect debt, ownership arrangements and business continuity. - read more
Latest Claims Data Shows Why Policy Structure Still Matters
Latest Claims Data Shows Why Policy Structure Still Matters
12 Nov 2026: Paige Estritori
APRA’s latest life insurance claims and disputes statistics, released on 16 October 2026 and covering the 12 months to 30 June 2026, provide a useful reminder for Australian businesses: the practical value of cover often depends on how clearly it is structured, documented and understood before a claim ever arises. - read more


Life Insurance Articles

How Pre-Existing Conditions Influence Life Insurance Premiums
How Pre-Existing Conditions Influence Life Insurance Premiums
When it comes to life insurance, a pre-existing condition refers to any medical condition or illness that you have been diagnosed with before applying for a life insurance policy. - read more
Term Life and Whole Life Insurance in Australia: What the Terms Mean
Term Life and Whole Life Insurance in Australia: What the Terms Mean
A plain-English guide to term life insurance, whole life insurance and the main types of personal life insurance Australians commonly compare, including life cover, TPD, trauma cover and income protection. - read more
How Life Insurance Provides Financial Security for Your Loved Ones
How Life Insurance Provides Financial Security for Your Loved Ones
Life insurance is a crucial part of any comprehensive financial plan, providing peace of mind that your loved ones will be financially secure in the event of your passing. - read more
The Digital Age of Insurance: Keeping Costs Down with Online Quotes
The Digital Age of Insurance: Keeping Costs Down with Online Quotes
The horizon of the insurance industry has undergone a transformative shift with the advent of digital technology. With a few clicks, consumers can navigate the once-complex world of insurance policies from the comfort of their home. The digital landscape for insurance services offers unprecedented access to information, comparisons, and instant communication, fostering a more empowered insurance client. - read more
Understanding the Role of Life Insurance in Financial Security
Understanding the Role of Life Insurance in Financial Security
Life insurance can seem complex at first, but understanding the basics can help demystify this important financial product. At its core, life insurance is a contract between you and an insurer, where the insurer promises to pay a designated beneficiary a sum of money upon your passing, in exchange for premium payments. - read more


Start Here !
life insurance
Apply now for your free Insurance assessment and price comparisons!

Start Here:

Life Insurance Type:
Postcode:

All quotes are provided obligation-free by a participating broker from our national referral partner network. We respect your Privacy.


Knowledgebase
Insurance Policy:
Broadly, the entire written contract of insurance. More narrowly, the basic written or printed document, as distinguished from the forms and endorsements added thereto.