Local Tradies Encouraged to Share in Cyclone Debbie Rebuilding Boom

SYDNEY, April 6 -- The Insurance Council of Australia issued the following news release:

Builders and tradespeople in areas affected by Tropical Cyclone Debbie are encouraged to share in rebuilding work potentially worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) says qualified builders and tradespeople who want to be considered for the reconstruction effort should put themselves forward for insurer-funded work.

In Queensland: Qualified builders and tradespeople should register with the Queensland Building and Construction Commission at www.qbcc.qld.gov.au.

In New South Wales: Interested builders and tradespeople should register with the Master Builders Association of NSW at www.mbansw.asn.au.

These organisations will pass lists of builders and tradespeople on to insurance companies through

the ICA.

ICA CEO Rob Whelan said: "Insurers recognise local workers who participate in the reconstruction response provide a vital economic boost in communities that have taken a severe financial hit from this catastrophe.

"In the aftermath of disasters, insurers' first priority is to their policyholders, and making sure repairs and rebuilding work are done to the highest standard in the shortest possible time.

"For this reason, many insurers have strategic arrangements with building companies, suppliers and project managers to undertake repairs and building works. These companies often sub-contract work to local builders and tradespeople if they are qualified, reputable, price competitive and have capacity. Some insurers also have a policy to use local firms where possible."

Mr Whelan said home and business owners who needed repairs should contact their insurer before commissioning any work, even for emergency repairs. Unauthorised work may not be covered by the policy.

More information can be found in the Understand Insurance flood clean-up fact sheet: http://understandinsurance.com.au/assets/Checklists/Flood%20recovery.pdf

As at 9am today, insurers had received 35,370 claims from Queensland and NSW policyholders with insured losses of $410 million.