RACT Insurance has established an Information Kiosk at the Dunalley Pub to assist policy holders affected by bushfires in the area.

In addition to the Information Kiosk, RACT will also have a number of assessors on the ground to provide advice and assistance to affected home and property owners.

RACT Insurance spokesman Trent Sayers said he expected the total number of claims to exceed the 2006 bushfires, which saw around 100 claims lodged.

“We hope that by establishing the Information Kiosk at the Dunalley Pub we can provide some assistance to those affected by these horrific fires,” Mr Sayers said.

“We have been working closely with Emergency Services to set up the Kiosk and ensure that our staff on the ground can assist people and answer any questions they may have.

“Our staff will also be on hand to help with organising temporary accommodation and emergency support for residents.”

Mr Sayers said RACT Insurance would work with Emergency Services to ensure that staff were able to accompany policy holders to assess property damage as soon as possible.

“We will be updating the community as soon as we have any new information,” Mr Sayers said.

• RACT Insurance has received over 20 claims as a result of the bushfire situation in the south of Tasmania, with an estimated cost running into millions of dollars.

RACT Insurance spokesman, Trent Sayers said of the 20 claims, nine had been identified as total loss.

“We anticipate the number of claims to increase as many people are yet to be able to return to their homes and it will take a number of weeks for all claims to be lodged,” Mr Sayers said.

RACT Insurance representatives have been working closely with Emergency Services and representatives have been present at Refuge Centres in Hobart, Sorell, New Norfolk, Swansea/Bicheno and Nubeena.

“Staff are available to organise temporary accommodation and emergency support for policy holders impacted by the fires,” Mr Sayers said.

Mr Sayers said RACT Insurance would continue to work with Emergency Services to get staff to affected areas to assist policy holders as soon as appropriate.

“Policy holders are asked to contact RACT Insurance on 13 27 22 as soon as they become aware of any damage to ensure a swift response,” he said.

We will continue to update the community as information comes to hand.

• UPDATE:

Issued at: 5.30pm
Monday, January 7

RACT Insurance has now received 128 claims as a result of the bushfire situation in the south of Tasmania, with the estimated cost running well into the millions of dollars.

RACT Insurance spokesman Trent Sayers said of the 128 claims, 75 had been identified as total loss of property.

“While this number is already significant, we expect it to continue growing in the coming weeks as people return to their properties and survey the damage caused by the bushfires,” Mr Sayers said.

“RACT Insurance representatives are continuing to work closely with Emergency Services at Refuge Centres in Hobart and Sorell.”

Mr Sayers said the RACT Insurance Information Kiosk, established at the Dunalley Pub earlier today, had received a steady flow of enquiries from residents.

“Through liaison with local authorities, we have also been able to provide batteries, torches, radios and toys at the Information Kiosk to those who need them,” Mr Sayers said.

“We hope to maintain the Kiosk over the coming days and will continue to work with Emergency Services to achieve this.

“Policy holders are asked to contact RACT Insurance on 13 27 22 as soon as they become aware of any damage to ensure a swift response.

“We will continue to update the community as information comes to hand.”

Update Issued at: 4.00pm
Tuesday, January 8

The number of claims received by RACT Insurance continues to rise steadily as a result of the bushfire situation in the south of Tasmania, with over 100 claims now received.

RACT Insurance spokesman Trent Sayers said the full extent of the damage would not be clear for a number of weeks.

“With so many people still stranded at Refuge Centres or with relatives and friends, it is impossible to estimate the total amount of claims likely to be lodged at this stage,” Mr Sayers said.

Mr Sayers said the RACT Insurance Information Kiosk, established at the Dunalley Pub, had received a steady flow of enquiries from residents.

“We hope to maintain the Kiosk over the coming days and will continue to work with Emergency Services to achieve this.

“Policy holders are asked to contact RACT Insurance on 13 27 22 as soon as they become aware of any damage to ensure a swift response.

“We will continue to update the community as information comes to hand.”

Media Update
Issued at: 1.00pm
Wednesday, January 9

RACT Insurance will be providing periods of grace, extending cover and waiving dishonour fees for policy holders affected by the bushfires in the State’s south, in order to give customers additional time to meet their premium payments.

RACT Insurance spokesman Trent Sayers said due to the bushfires restricting banking access in the affected areas, some customers may have incurred unexpected costs.

“This extreme situation may have resulted in the unintentional dishonouring of regular Direct Debit premium instalments due to a lack of funds in customers’ accounts,” Mr Sayers said.

Speaking from Hobart after two days in Dunalley visiting bushfire-affected areas, Mr Sayers said RACT Insurance had now received nearly 200 claims as a result of the bushfire situation in the south of Tasmania, making this the largest bushfire event since the 1967 blazes.

“We hope to continue assisting residents through our Information Kiosk at the Dunalley Pub over the coming days, and we will continue to work closely with Emergency Services to achieve this,” he said.

“Through the Kiosk and our staff on the ground, we will be doing everything possible to ensure policy holders affected by the fires are not unfairly disadvantaged in this time of crisis.

“Policy holders are asked to contact RACT Insurance on 13 27 22 as soon as they become aware of any damage to ensure a swift response.

“We will continue to update the community as information comes to hand.”
Trent Sayers RACT, Mon Jan 7