Thousands of claims still open from 2022 Brisbane floods

Two years ago, Brisbane was swamped by record-breaking rain that pounded the south-east Queensland city for days.

Transcript

00:00 Dani Richardson is living in limbo.

00:04 The flood was a breeze.

00:06 Dealing with the insurance has been the most traumatic thing.

00:09 Back then she was uninsured and had to pay to rebuild the home herself.

00:14 I have to say that the 2011 floods was a much easier process.

00:19 Since then she's had flood cover yet Woolworths insurance won't fully fund repairs.

00:26 Quoted at $300,000 the insurer will cover just a third.

00:32 The insurance has quoted $150 to replace this area, to replace the toilet which is ridiculous.

00:38 Exhausted she's conceded defeat accepting the offer to make the home somewhat liveable.

00:44 But flood victims are being urged to go to the ombudsman if their insurer's offer falls short.

00:51 People have certainly been successful in getting significantly more money in a lot of cases

00:56 than they were initially offered by their insurer.

00:59 Data shows 7,000 claims from the 2022 event are still open as the federal government reviews

01:07 the response of insurance companies.

01:09 Brisbane resident Scott Cunningham has found the claims process overwhelming.

01:15 I've employed someone to help me through this process.

01:20 This used to be the bedroom but in this state it's more of a garden shed.

01:25 The Insurance Council of Australia says not paying for cover puts homeowners at risk

01:30 but waiting for repairs for two years is costing people more than money.

01:35 Causing physical and mental impacts.

01:39 To have to be medicated and just have to rely on other people, pretty tough.

01:46 Since the ABC contacted insurers Woolworths and Suncorps Amy both have apologised for

01:53 the delay and verbally increased their offers by tens of thousands of dollars.

01:58 While negotiations continue the homeowners must keep paying for cover.

02:03 I would never have flood insurance now.

02:06 It's not, it is not worth it.

02:08 [BLANK_AUDIO]