Free storm damage consultation with Insurance companies

Need some help with your insurance claims?

Recovery Officers from Yarra Ranges Council have teamed up with the Insurance Council of Australia to host in-person meetings for Yarra Ranges residents affected by the June 2021 severe weather event.

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) and insurers will be in Montrose on Wednesday 17 August 2022 for in-person meetings with customers affected by last year’s severe storm event.

The in-person meetings provide customers with the opportunity to discuss the progress of their claim, and to work through any outstanding issues with their insurer.

A representative from Eastern Community Legal Centre and the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) will also be available for consultation.

The in-person meetings will be held between midday and 8pm at Montrose Town Centre, Community Room 935, Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd, Montrose. Appointments are essential. To book go to insurancecouncil.com.au/YarraRangesConsultations.

The claims cost for last July’s severe storm event is $310.4 million with more than 93.4 per cent of the 34,300 claims lodged now closed.

The Insurance Recovery Process

Helpful contact information

Yarra Ranges Council - Community Recovery Team

Appointments are now available through the Yarra Ranges Council Recovery Hub at Karwarra Gardens.

The Community Recovery hub is located at Karwarra Garden, Kalorama and Councill staff are available to provide information and support for the community in the following areas:

Mental health and wellbeing support
Insurance support
Business support
Clean up advice and support

Please call Sue Jack, Recovery Centre And Outreach Coordinator on 0477 056 265 or 1300 368 333 to arrange appointments or to ask any questions you may have. For more information please contact communityrecovery@yarraranges.vic.gov.au or 1300 368 333.

This essential service is available to all members of the community.

EACH Financial Counselling and Storm Counselling Intake

Financial and storm counselling is a free and confidential service available for anyone affected by an emergency.

Coping strategies
Social supports
Wellbeing support
Therapeutic counselling
Psychological interventions
Referrals
Service navigation

To access our free storm recovery service, call Inspiro on 9738 8801 or EACH on 1300 003 224
To access our free Financial recovery counselling service, call Inspiro on 9871 1817 or fcintake@each.com.au

Windamere Storm Recovery Support Program

Windemere Recovery Support people are residents of the region and will work with you and your
family to help navigate the various support services that may be available to you.

Support provided by case workers may include:

A discussion about your needs and what next steps might be appropriate.
Information and support to connect to local services for additional support.
Advocacy for priority access if required for your circumstances.
Assistance with completing applications and paperwork required for grant or financial claim processes with other organisations & government.
Outreach visits by our staff with other services if this is helpful to your situation.

To access this program or find out more:
Phone: 0408 521 320
Email: stormrecovery@windermere.org.au

Eastern Community Legal Centre (ECLC)

People living in the Yarra Ranges can seek free legal advice from ECLC.

1300 325 200
eclc@eclc.org.au
https://eclc.org.au/

Material Aid

If you are experiencing hardship, information on where to access material aid and other services can be found on Council's website.

Insurance

The Insurance Council of Australia is the general insurance industry body. Following disasters, we work closely with the community, government and insurers to help residents recover.

Please contact your insurer with any claims questions you may have. For general information, you can contact the Insurance Council of Australia on:

1300 728 228.

National Debt Helpline

The National Debt Helpline is a telephone financial counselling service open from 9.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.

The financial counsellors at the National Debt Helpline can put you in contact with your local face-to-face financial counselling service.

1800 007 007
www.ndh.org.au

Renters Assistance

Tenant advice line 9416 2577
Monday to Friday 10.00 am – 2.00 pm
tenantsvic.org.au