New South Wales bushfires to cost insurers at least A$20m
Over 100 bushfires across rural areas of New South Wales in the last few days will cost insurers at least A$20m (£12m) according to the Insurance Council of Australia.
The ICA has declared an insurance catastrophe for the bushfires that have destroyed homes, stock and livestock across the state. The A$20m figure is predicted to rise over coming days as residents return to their homes and businesses to assess the damage.
ICA CEO Rob Whelan said the catastrophe declaration had seen the insurance industry escalate its response to assist policyholders. The ICA has a disaster hotline - 1800 734 621 - for policyholders.
He commented: "At least 30 homes and other properties have been lost, and insurers have also received reports of stock losses, as well as fencing and other farm equipment. Hardest hit so far has been Warrumbungle Shire in the state’s Central West, but communities close to Port Macquarie, Kempsey and Narrabri have also suffered losses."
In the community of Uarbry nine out of 12 homes were wiped out by the fires.
Over 2500 firefighters have been working day and night to control the blazes which have coincided with record heat in the region.
Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.
To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@postonline.co.uk or view our subscription options here: https://subscriptions.postonline.co.uk/subscribe
You are currently unable to print this content. Please contact info@postonline.co.uk to find out more.
You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@postonline.co.uk to find out more.
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
As outlined in our terms and conditions, https://www.infopro-digital.com/terms-and-conditions/subscriptions/ (point 2.4), printing is limited to a single copy.
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@postonline.co.uk
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
You may share this content using our article tools. As outlined in our terms and conditions, https://www.infopro-digital.com/terms-and-conditions/subscriptions/ (clause 2.4), an Authorised User may only make one copy of the materials for their own personal use. You must also comply with the restrictions in clause 2.5.
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@postonline.co.uk
More on Claims
Entries open for the 2026 British Insurance Awards
We can’t quite believe it’s come round so quickly – the 2026 British Insurance Awards are now open for entries.
Avoiding a ‘compensation lottery’ from Court’s transgender ruling
The Supreme Court’s ruling that sex under the Equality Act means biological sex has left insurers uncertain over which Ogden tables to use for transgender claimants, which Tim Evershed discovers is raising fears of inconsistent compensation awards.
NFU Mutual leads motor insurance market
NFU Mutual, LV and Saga are strengthening motor insurance customer loyalty as we race towards 2026 through better claims experiences, according to the latest Fairer Finance research, while others are falling back due to weaker service experiences.
Ecclesiastical claims approach under fire from abuse survivor
A sexual assault survivor has questioned why Ecclesiastical is refusing to pay a claim for a recent attack when a previous, similar claim he made was accepted and settled by the insurer more than a decade ago.
Why shipbuilding insurance is making waves in marine risk
Shipbuilding insurance, once a niche part of marine cover, is now expanding rapidly. Fiona Nicolson unpicks the complex projects, new technologies, and sustainability trends that are reshaping global ship construction and the risks insurers must navigate.
Domestic & General snapped up by US firm
Domestic & General has been acquired by US-based insurance company Asurion, with the deal expected to close in mid-2026.
Big Interview: Donna Scully, Carpenters Group
Donna Scully, director and co-owner of Carpenters Group, discusses with Insurance Post the challenges of her upbringing and its positive impact in ensuring both her business and personal causes are approached with kindness.
Which? super-complaint shows insurance is a race to the bottom
James Daley, managing director of Fairer Finance, argues Which’s super-complaint lays bare long-standing problems in policy quality, claims performance and comparison-site competition and pushes for better purchase information to halt the industry’s slide toward a race to the bottom.