IAG urges NSW residents to prepare for severe thunderstorms and stay vigilant against disaster chasers this storm season

IAG, whose brands include NRMA Insurance, CGU, WFI, ROLLiN' and RACQ Insurance, is supporting customers across Southeast Queensland impacted by extreme weather.

Severe thunderstorms brought large to giant hailstones, damaging winds and heavy rainfall over the weekend causing widespread property, motor and business damage.

As of 28 October 2025, IAG has received more than 3,000 claims across its brands, including NRMA Insurance and RACQ Insurance.

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has declared a Significant Event for the hailstorm that impacted the wider Brisbane region on Sunday 26 October 2025.

Our team of property assessors and partner builders are on the ground conducting Make-Safe repairs and assisting customers with recovery.

Likewise, our Specialist Hail Repairers are contacting customers to begin repairs for hail-damaged vehicles.

Luke Gallagher

IAG Executive General Manager Claims

IAG Senior Analyst of Weather Risk Kathryn Turner, says spring weather patterns can be particularly volatile.

"During spring, the upper atmosphere remains relatively cool while surface air temperatures begin to warm. This contrast can create large areas of lower surface pressure, and when combined with the cooler air, it can generate and sustain thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds and large hail," Ms Turner said.

In the days following the storms, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast recorded their warmest October temperatures since 2004, with some areas exceeding 39°C.

IAG is urging residents to lodge a claim as soon as possible and to prepare their homes and vehicles for future storms.

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.

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

IAG Executive General Manager Claims

If your home has been impacted by hail, heavy rain or damaging winds, look out for signs of structural instability such as sagging ceilings, cracked walls, unstable balconies, damaged roofs or leaning structures.

For the latest SES safety and emergency updates, please visit: SES | State Emergency Service

Customers can contact their insurer via:

• NRMA Insurance: 13 11 23 or https://www.nrma.com.au

• CGU Insurance: 13 24 80 or https://www.cgu.com.au

• WFI Insurance: 1300 934 934 or https://www.wfi.com.au

• ROLLiN': https://www.rollininsurance.com.au/claims

• RACQ Insurance: www.racq.com.au/insurance

What to do if a flood or storm has damaged your home

Step 1: Start the claim process

When you make a claim, we'll ask you if you need 'make safe' emergency repairs. This means doing some preliminary repair work to reduce the risk of further damage so that your home is safe to live in, or safe to clean up after the incident.

Step 2: Document the damage for your claim

Documenting the damage helps you get the information you need for your claim and will put you in a better position to clean up and potentially throw out damaged items. Here's what you need to do:

• Make a detailed list of all damage

• Start the documentation process

• Find any receipts

Step 3: Clean up the area to prevent further damage

Starting the clean-up process can help get things back to normal. Here are some tips for cleaning up after a flood or storm:

• Once you've taken photos or samples, safely remove any items that could cause further damage or pose a health risk.

• Wear protective clothing and be aware of hazardous material.

• Ask State Emergency Service (SES) and your local council about waste collection. For example, whether there's free kerbside pick-up for households impacted by a flood or storm.

• Throw out any water-damaged items that can't be washed because they may be contaminated.

• Once you've cleaned up and removed debris, then you can disinfect surfaces and dry out your home. Open the doors and windows during daylight hours and use any available fans to increase ventilation and remove dampness.

• Consider your safety before tackling mould. For a guide on what to look out for, see ABC's Emergency Guide on how to clean up mould and let us know if there are still traces of mould when you make your claim.