The Queensland Insurance Division (QUID) of the Whitsunday Ratepayers Association is starting to achieve recognition and support from key political figures promising to address its cause.
QUID’s executives Lester Riley, Margaret Shaw and Dave Tindall met with Federal Member for Dawson George Christensen last Friday, with Mr Christensen proposing to put a motion before parliament in just a few short weeks.
“This is happening all over North Queensland. We’ve had reports (of insurance premium hikes) of anything from 300 per cent to – believe it or not – 800 per cent!
“We want to take the issue to the ACCC, but there’s a process in doing that. More than that we’re talking about putting a motion before the parliament, which would express the parliament’s will on the issue and leave the government to act,” Mr Christensen said.
Mr Christensen said it was his understanding that insurers claimed the Queensland market was previously underrated in terms of risk, with the past year’s cyclones and floods prompting a reassessment of that risk.
“It’s absolutely ridiculous to say that we’re only just realising North Queensland suffers from cyclones,” he said.
QUID spokesman Lester Riley said in light of the fact there were very few insurance claims made from mainland Whitsundays, he would like to see some sort of ‘no-claims bonus’ apply.
“There’s no horses for courses – the insurers don’t look at past history and seem to be charging premiums at will,” Mr Riley said.
In order to assist with the parliamentary motion, Mr Riley is currently compiling a database and wants to hear from “as many body corporate committees as possible, representing multi-level units or resorts, whether they are for tourist or residential use, where the premiums have increased dramatically over the past year”.
“The information we require is the overall value of the block, the number of units and the percentage increase of the premium,” he said.
“Confidentiality will be maintained – the figures will only be published as percentages, with no property identification attached.”
To provide information email lesterriley1@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment