Significant progress in SEQ’s post-cyclone recovery efforts

As at 9am, Monday 7 April, RACQ had received 17,843 claims, including 17,104 for home and 739 for motor, making the cyclone the largest property claims event in RACQ’s 50-year insurance history.

Close to half (43%) of all property claims have been finalised, including 96% of food spoilage, and $12.4M paid out in claims. RACQ’s panel of builders have completed 1,960 make-safes, and 6,000 assessments have been actioned with 1,864 repairs underway.

In motor, 57% of claims have been finalised with $5.1M already paid out in claims.

Chief Executive Insurance Trent Sayers said the Club’s top priority was to help all members get back on their feet.

“While we have received a significant number of claims, the largest in our history, fortunately for our members and the wider community, the severity of the damage has been less than the historic 2022 floods,” Mr Sayers said.

“From what we have seen, a large portion of the damage was caused by water ingress through the roof, minor flash flooding or fallen trees.  More than one in three (41%) home claims have been for food spoilage and these have been processed and paid out to our members quickly.

“We know it can take years to fully recover from events of this scale, and we have a strong network of suppliers and builders who will remain on the ground for as long as it takes to complete the repairs.”

RACQ’s total cost for this event is expected to range between $200m to $220m, however Mr Sayers said it is still very early in the Club’s response and assessment of damage.

“We do expect the Federal Government’s Cyclone Reinsurance Pool to cover the majority of this loss with the remaining cost being absorbed into our annual natural hazard allowances,” he said. 

“The total cost to expected to fall well below the limits of our comprehensive reinsurance program which is in place to provide protection against large weather events.”

The Federal Government’s Cyclone Reinsurance Pool covers insurers for the cost of damage caused while the weather system is classified as a cyclone and for 48 hours from the time that it is downgraded.

“RACQ has long supported the Federal Government’s Cyclone Reinsurance Pool, and we acknowledge the role of retiring member for Leichardt, Warren Entsch’s advocacy for the pool.”

RACQ’s focus on North Queensland also continues, with builders and suppliers in Ingham and Townsville completing repairs and supporting members through the claims process.

“Ingham was one of the hardest hit regions during the February floods, with a number of homes requiring significant repairs after experiencing severe flooding,” Mr Sayers said.

“To date, repairs are underway at 33% of damaged homes, 85% of motor claims have been finalised and we have paid out $7.4M in claims.”

As part of RACQ’s $1 million commitment to helping families, community groups, and sporting clubs hardest hit, 76,428 meals have been prepared and distributed to charities by FareShare and more than 6,500 items of new clothing have been collected from Thread Together’s mobile wardrobes. The mobile wardrobes continue to travel to the most affected regions across the state. 

^{RACQ Chief Purpose Officer MJ Bellotti with Ingham Tennis Vice President Geoff Casanovas after the club received an RACQ Foundation grant.}

Following her visit to Townsville, Chief Purpose Officer MJ Bellotti reminded families and community groups affected by the recent disasters that support is available.

“The recovery will take time and RACQ will continue to engage with communities impacted by recent events over the coming months,” Ms Bellotti said.

“Affected community groups can still apply for a RACQ Foundation grant as part of a special funding round worth $500,000.

“Grants can be used to purchase equipment, rebuild infrastructure and restore technology and we encourage community groups to apply as soon as they can.

“The RACQ Foundation has been helping communities recover from natural disasters since 2011. We know sporting clubs, local organisations and charities are the backbone of local communities, so it is important for us to help them recover and rebuild as soon as possible.”

Applications close 28 April 2025. 

Apply for a RACQ Foundation community grant.