Insurance Australia Group is processing thousands of claims after a powerful hailstorm tore across Southeast Queensland over the weekend.
The event, declared a Significant Event by the Insurance Council of Australia, left widespread property, vehicle, and business damage across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and the Sunshine Coast.
By Oct. 28, IAG brands including NRMA Insurance and RACQ Insurance had logged more than 3,000 claims.
Crews of property assessors and partner builders are already conducting make-safe repairs, while specialist hail repairers are contacting customers to start work on damaged vehicles, according to Luke Gallagher, IAG’s executive general manager of claims.
Storm season has begun and can leave a trail of destruction in its path. If you have been impacted or suspect damage, please contact us as soon as possible online, over the phone or at your local Insurance branch so we can immediately help you with your claim.
Luke Gallagher, IAG Executive General Manager Claims
“When cleaning up your property, safety should remain the number one priority. Be cautious of hidden dangers such as fallen powerlines, which may be entangled in trees or debris. If you suspect a powerline is down, move far away and contact emergency services immediately,” Luke Gallagher said.
Kathryn Turner, IAG’s senior analyst of weather risk, explained that volatile spring conditions set the stage.
Cooler upper-air layers clashed with warming surface temperatures, creating unstable low-pressure zones capable of sustaining severe thunderstorms. “That contrast can generate damaging winds and large hail,” she said.
The days following the storm also brought Queensland’s hottest October readings since 2004, with some locations topping 39°C.
IAG urged affected residents to lodge claims quickly and prepare for further severe weather as storm season begins. Gallagher reminded customers to prioritize safety during cleanup efforts.
“Be cautious of hidden dangers such as fallen powerlines, which may be entangled in trees or debris. If you suspect a powerline is down, move far away and contact emergency services immediately,” he said.
The company also warned homeowners to check for structural risks including sagging ceilings, cracked walls, leaning structures, or roof damage before re-entering storm-hit properties.
