Brokers on the Ground: Navigating Ex-Cyclone Alfred’s Aftermath

This week, we spoke with NIBA member and broker Dale Hansen of BMS Group Limited, based in the Gold Coast, who is actively dealing with the cyclone's aftermath and the ongoing clean-up efforts following significant damage to homes and businesses.  

As of March 17th, the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has reported that over 63,000 claims have been received in the aftermath of ex-Cyclone Alfred. More than 10,000 claims were submitted over the weekend alone, with the majority coming from Queensland. Most of these claims relate to wind damage and water ingress. 

Describing the extent of the destruction, Dale stated: 

"People are dealing with extensive damage to their property. The damage is widespread. The wind is not something we've had to deal with in quite some time, and that's what has had the most impact. The cyclone came on Thursday with winds at about 100km/h, then it looped and came back across on Friday with more velocity this time. I’ve experienced cyclones before, but it was quite frightening to be honest and very much felt like a category 2".  

While flood damage has dominated media coverage, Dale highlighted that wind damage has been the primary challenge this time: 

"We are very used to flooding and the damage that causes, but the wind this time was new for us. Northern NSW has flood damage, but nothing like what we saw in 2022. The beaches and hinterlands here in the Gold Coast have been significantly damaged. Emergency services are doing a fantastic job, but there has been damage to council infrastructure too which is making their job a little more difficult, but we are all getting through it”.  

Beyond the physical damage, Dale also noted that connectivity issues are posing significant difficulties.  

"Many people are still without power, and roads are still closed. The main challenge for people now is this lack of power and difficulty in communicating with people. Mobile connectivity is extremely patchy, as are all social media channels. This makes things more time-consuming and makes it harder for recovery teams and emergency services to communicate updates,” he added. 

Dale also commended the response from insurers and the broking industry in the wake of the cyclone:  

"I'd like to call out that the industry has responded extremely well with insurers responding superbly, making our job easier as brokers. Repairs are moving quite quickly and each year we are seeing this response improve significantly. Credit to all brokers too - they've all been visible and have gotten out there to do what we do best."  

Brokers often serve as the first point of contact for individuals and businesses experiencing damage, playing a vital role in guiding them through the claims process and recovery efforts. 

"For many, especially in Southeast Queensland, this is their first significant claim in a long time. People don't have anything, don't know what to do or what their next steps are. Many might not have that family support network, and it can be a very anxious time. People are in shock. It's our role to take that anxiety away, take them through each step and create a game plan with them to get them back on their feet", Dale said.  

As the clean-up and recovery efforts continue, brokers remain committed to supporting affected communities and ensuring that claims are processed efficiently, helping residents and businesses rebuild after the devastation caused by ex-Cyclone Alfred.

For more information: 

Accurate Weather Updates: Bureau of Meteorology

Financial Assistance Grants Queensland: Tropical Cyclone Alfred March 2025 | Community support | Queensland Government

Recovery Support in NSW: Tropical Cyclone Alfred recovery updates | NSW Government