Natural Disasters

All Queensland Government departments and statutory bodies insured with QGIF are covered for loss or damage as a result of a natural disaster in accordance with QGIF’s Insurance Policy – Statement of Cover.

QGIF provides essentially unlimited cover for any loss or damage to property owned by the Agency or in the care, custody or control of the Agency, or for which it is responsible, as a result of a natural disaster.

• Property includes buildings, furniture and fittings, contents, portable and attractive items, plant and equipment, unregistered motor vehicles, computer equipment, money and goods in transit.

QGIF also covers:

• any reasonable costs incurred in securing the premises following a loss;
• any costs incurred in repairing or rebuilding damaged property, including fees associated with engaging experts such as architects, surveyors and/or engineers.

QGIF will cover fees associated with inspecting damaged property (e.g electrical safety inspection, roof inspection etc) and/or removal of debris where that debris has caused damage to the property. However, where there has been no damage sustained to property, these fees along with the cost of removal of debris (such as fallen tree branches), or any loss of livestock, crops or vegetation, will need to be met by Agencies.

Yes, there is a deductible (excess) of up to $10,000 which is noted on your Agency’s Insurance Certificate. In relation to a natural disaster, QGIF will apply the applicable deductible once, for the whole event.

Agencies should contact QGIF to advise of any property losses as soon as practically possible. QGIF will liaise with agencies regarding any necessary repairs or replacement of assets and may appoint an insurance assessor with respect to any large or complex losses.

Agencies can however immediately repair or replace damaged assets or infrastructure as required in accordance with their respective procurement practices in order to restore services.

While there is no specified time limit for lodging a claim with QGIF, we expect agencies to report claims as soon as practically possible to allow QGIF to meet its reporting obligations.

• Agencies need to be aware that under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) there are strict timelines that apply for specific relief measures and activities.
• Further information regarding the NDRRA and Queensland’s Disaster Relief and Recovery Guidelines is available from the Queensland Reconstruction Authority.

The following is a step-by-step guide to lodging a property claim with QGIF.

1. Safety first

• The safety of staff and the public is paramount.  Your first priority is to make sure that everyone is safe and out of harm’s way before securing the area and taking steps to prevent any further loss or damage.

2. Contact QGIF

• Call the QGIF team on 07 3035 6367 on send an email to qgif@qld.gov.au providing as much information as possible. Notifying us early of any damage that could lead to a claim is important even if at the time you talk to us the extent of damage is still unclear.

3. Take remedial action

• While it is important to notify QGIF at the earliest opportunity, you can immediately repair or replace damaged assets or infrastructure as required in accordance with your Agency’s procurement process. This ensures disruptions to your Agency are minimised.
• Where possible, take photos of the damaged property prior to commencing any remedial repairs. Keep a record of any discarded items.
• Ensure any salvageable assets and equipment are kept and stored safely.

4. Retain proof

• Identify and retain any relevant documentation to substantiate your Agency’s claim (such as invoices, expert reports, photographs, quotations, any internal departmental reports etc).

5. Next steps

• Once a claim has been reported to QGIF, a claims officer will liaise with you regarding the extent of damage and any action required.