Extreme weather losses in Australia exceed AU $1.8bn in H1 2025: ICA

New data released by the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) shows that the total insured cost of extreme weather events that impacted Australia in the first half of 2025 has now exceeded AU $1.8 billion, stemming from 148,437 claims.

A breakdown of these claims shows that the most recent event, the Mid-North Coast and Hunter Floods, has incurred 11,500 claims amounting to almost AU $200 million.

While Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, the most costly and widespread event of 2025, has exceeded 125,000 in incurred claims, totalling AU $1.36 billion.

Additionally, incurred claims from the North Queensland floods in February have reached AU $274 million across more than 11,000 claims.

Following these events, the ICA and insurers held customer engagement events in Cardwell, Ingham and Hervey Bay, as well as establishing Insurance Hubs in Townsville, Taree, and Port Macquire.

The ICA also noted that insurers maintained an extended presence at numerous Queensland and New South Wales recovery centres and hubs during the recovery phases of the events.

Plans for further insurer visits and consultations in the affected regions and surrounding communities are currently underway.

ICA Director of Mitigation and Extreme Weather Response, Liam Walter, commented: “We’ve had a busy start to 2025 with three declared events totalling more than $1.8 billion in claims incurred to date.

“While this damage bill isn’t as severe as first expected, we acknowledge that for many communities, recovery is still very much ongoing and there is still a long road ahead.”

Walter continued: “The ICA is also closely monitoring the weather event that’s unfolding in New South Wales and urges residents right along the coast to follow the advice of emergency services.

“Insurers are leaning forward and ready to support communities should they be impacted,” Walter concluded.