Group CEO David Carter is in Cairns today visiting flood-affected members and stakeholders to understand the full extent of the impact and offer support.

As at 1:30pm Boxing Day, RACQ had received 596 insurance claims, including 396 home and contents and 200 motor vehicle claims, since the cyclone first hit the region.

Mr Carter said RACQ’s priority right now was to support members and our teams have been organising temporary accommodation for members whose homes have been severely damaged and providing them with cash payments to make emergency purchases.

“As of today, we have additional assessors on the ground to complete scope of works and accelerate the rebuilding process,” Mr Carter said.

“While some assessments have been completed, we continue to see a constant flow of claims and our assessors can quickly assess and allocate work as we move into helping to rebuild people’s homes and get them back on their feet.

“Motor assessors will also be capturing images of flood-affected vehicles and arranging towing for vehicles that have been deemed as total loss. Our team in Brisbane will process and validate those assessments virtually to minimise delays.

“Our Mobile Member Centre has now relocated from James Cook University at Smithfield to the Cairns Recovery Centre at Trinity Bay High School in Manunda and it will remain there until Friday to support members with their claims and answer any questions they may have.

"Our team members will continue to remain on site at the Recovery Centre, so members can rest assured they will continue to be fully supported.”

The quickest and easiest way for members to lodge their claim was to go online. Using RACQ’s online portal, members can also upload photos of damage to help speed up their claim or call us on 13 72 02.

Mr Carter said his thoughts were with those still in the midst of the clean-up from the flooding.

“We can only imagine what members are going through and we are moving as quickly as possible to help,” he said.

“Over the past two weeks, we have been communicating with affected members directly by SMS and email to provide support and claims advice.

“We know it is a stressful and uncertain time for many, but I want to reassure all of our members that our policies cover flood, storm and storm surge damage as standard.”

Mobile Member Centre location (Located at the Cairns Recovery Centre)

Where: Trinity Bay High School, 26-62 Hoare Street, Manunda

Opening hours: From 9:00am Wednesday 27 December - 12pm Friday 29 December

Preparing your claim:

If you are able to safely return to your home:

• Making notes and taking photos of your belongings will make it easier to submit any claims
• It’s OK to throw away all spoiled food in your refrigerator- you don’t need to wait for an assessor to visit your home. Take a picture
• Keep a record of model numbers or serial numbers of items you are throwing away to help us replace them
• It’s OK to remove material and fabrics such as carpets if they are wet to avoid mould growing. Take a photo to help with replacement
• Make a list of essentials you will need to replace, such as bedding, clothing and food. Keep all receipts from these purchases
• Remember safety is the number one priority