Assisting the recovery of flood-affected small businesses and residents is a top priority for Townsville Local Disaster Management Group Chair Mayor Jenny Hill.
Cr Hill said she was receiving reports that small businesses were being duded by insurance companies and brokers.
“I’ve already heard too many stories about dodgy insurance practices – particularly relating to small business claims,” Cr Hill said.
“Small business owners and residents buy insurance in good faith and then appear to be being ripped off by the fine print of the contract. It’s simply not good enough.
“I’ll be raising these issues and fighting for our local businesses and residents when I next meet with the Insurance Council.”
Townsville Local Recovery and Resilience Group (TLRRG) Chair Deputy Mayor Les Walker said small businesses and residents should continue to contact their insurance companies.
“North Queenslanders have a great fighting spirit and I can guarantee that the Mayor and the whole TLRRG will be doing everything we can to put pressure on the insurance industry to pay out these claims fairly,” Cr Walker said.
“This flood was unprecedented in our city’s history and it is appalling that some insurers and brokers are trying to wriggle out of their responsibilities on a technicality.
“Small businesses deserve the right to get back up and running to employ locals and help our economy recover.”
