Extreme weather led to 294,000 claims and $4.8 billion in insured losses last year, up from $585 million in 2024, a new Insurance Council of Australia analysis shows.

More than $4.1 billion of the 2025 weather losses – about 85% – were in Queensland.

Severe storms and hail in Queensland and NSW in November prompted nearly 93,000 claims totalling $1.78 billion. Damage included inundated homes, dented car roofs and smashed windscreens, and uprooted trees.

The next-costliest weather event was Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, with claims topping 133,000 and losses of $1.5 billion.

Spring storms in southeast Queensland and northern NSW in early November resulted in 41,200 claims worth almost $900 million.

Suncorp CEO of consumer insurance Lisa Harrison says 95% of the insurer’s Alfred claims are almost complete.

Its mobile disaster response hubs will visit 18 affected communities in the next 10 weeks, and specialist teams will help with complex claims and those in the early stages of repair. 

“We’re seeing strong progress on claims so far, with in-person conversations resolving issues and reassuring customers,” Ms Harrison said.

“By placing our people on the ground and providing face-to-face conversations, we can progress claims and help impacted families return to normal life sooner.”

The hubs were recently in Tingalpa and Tweed Heads, and are in Capalaba and Currumbin until Friday.

ICA CEO Andrew Hall says so many severe events hitting one state in a year is significant, and there is urgent need for government to invest in mitigation as bad weather intensifies.

The best way to protect communities and ease cost pressures is to build flood levees, dams and other large-scale defensive infrastructure, Mr Hall says.

“The insurance industry is very alive to supply chain challenges and pressures across the construction and transport sectors as a result of ongoing conflict in the Middle East,” he said.

“The reality is, these cost increases will add to the already stubbornly high price to rebuild and repair homes.”

Australian general insurers paid $58.9 billion in claims last year, up 18% on a year earlier, across 90 million policies, ICA says.

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From the latest Insurance News magazine: Why some businesses in regional Australia are taking desperate measures on coverage

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