Over 3,500 Insurance Claims Lodged After NSW Floods

Albanese says 70 ADF troops and and additional 100 volunteers will aid the NSW flood recovery.

A car and debris are seen outside a flood-damaged house at Glenthorne in Taree, Australia, on May 24, 2025. Roni Bintang/Getty Images

Flooding across northern New South Wales (NSW) has triggered over 3,500 insurance claims, the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) said on May 26.

Most claims relate to damaged homes, while the rest are for vehicles and businesses. Smaller claim numbers have also come from other parts of the state.

Clean-up in the affected areas has begun, with ICA saying people can start clearing debris and don’t need to wait for assessors.

It notes to discard anything ruined, especially soft items that could pose health risks. However, it suggests that they take photos, keep samples like carpet pieces, and note serial numbers.

Also, lodging a claim early is advised—even if damage isn’t fully known yet.

Insurance staff and ICA reps will visit affected areas. They’ll help people file claims and explain the process.

“We’re also in discussion with the New South Wales Reconstruction Authority about having an insurer presence at local recovery centres across the Mid North Coast. We'll communicate this information as soon as plans are in place,” said ICA CEO Andrew Hall.

ADF, Relief Teams Sent to Help

Seventy Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel will join recovery efforts from May 27.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced saying their presence will boost confidence in hard-hit towns.

Disaster Relief Australia will also send 25 volunteers, rising to 100 by the week’s end.

“They will be involved in clean up, in debris removal, in welfare checks and reestablishing critical infrastructure that is so important for these communities at times like this,” he said.

Albanese will visit flood-affected areas on May 27.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said the 70 ADF personnel will support recovery efforts with skills in route clearing, light engineering, and door-to-door welfare checks.

Marles added that the government is working with national and state agencies to ensure the ADF is used as a last resort in disaster response.

He noted that thousands of volunteers are already on the ground, and the process of deploying resources is working well.

However, he emphasised that when a formal request is made, the ADF always responds and will continue to provide necessary support.

Meanwhile, the government further confirmed that disaster payments are now flowing—$180 per adult and up to $900 per family. The government is also offering $1 million to 19 councils to help cover urgent recovery costs.

Tens of Thousands Still Isolated

Following the devastating floods last week, over 30,000 people are still cut off.

Fourteen towns—including South West Rocks, Hat Head, and Lambs Valley—are fully isolated. Emergency teams are running resupply missions by boat and air, delivering food, water, and medicine.

As per reports, the Pacific Motorway between south Taree and Coopernook reopened overnight. But drone footage shows wide damage: trees uprooted, fields underwater, and homes swamped.

Towns like Coopernook, Ghinni Ghinni, and Jones Island are still under water and streets are deserted. The Mid-North and Hunter regions remain on emergency alert.