Cyclone Alfred Insurance Claims Processing Begins
Insurers participating in Australia’s Cyclone Reinsurance Pool have reported over 68,000 claims related to ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which caused widespread damage across southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales in recent weeks. As of June 16, 2025, the total number of claims lodged through the cyclone pool reached 68,684, including claims from residential, small business, and strata policyholders.
The storm brought heavy rainfall and damaging winds, leading to significant property impacts in affected communities. The most common claims were for food spoilage and structural damage resulting from high winds, water ingress, and fallen trees. According to available data and insurer modelling, total insured losses tied to the weather event are estimated at approximately $1.44 billion.
The Australian Reinsurance Pool Corporation (ARPC), which administers the cyclone pool, has begun reimbursing insurers for eligible claims. To date, $41.2 million in payments has been disbursed, with an average processing time of 11 days between the submission of a completed claim and payment.
ARPC chief executive Dr. Christopher Wallace stated that the organisation maintained regular contact with participating insurers before and after the event. Ahead of the cyclone’s landfall, ARPC provided insurers with postcode information covering the projected impact zone and guidance on claims submission procedures. “While the full scale of losses may take some time to emerge, we have already commenced making payments to insurers for eligible claims under the pool, helping to speed up the recovery process,” Wallace explained.
The cyclone pool, established to support insurance access for cyclone-affected regions, offers reinsurance to insurers covering home, contents, residential strata, and small business policies. It operates using collected premiums and reserves, backed by a $10 billion guarantee from the Commonwealth.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred caused damage across a wide stretch of populated and commercial areas, prompting a high volume of insurance claims. The extent of recovery timelines remains uncertain as insurers continue to assess property conditions and finalise claims outcomes.
