Suncorp to add 600 people to speed recovery as Queensland gets set to build back better

The Queensland Government has announced a more than $700 million Resilient Residential Recovery Package that will provide Queenslanders whose homes have been badly damaged by flooding with a range of options that may include retrofitting, house raising or the voluntary buy-back of homes at high risk from future floods. 

Suncorp CEO Steve Johnston said the Group and insurance industry have long been calling for greater investment in making homes, businesses, and communities more resilient in the face of worsening extreme weather. 

“This investment will help build resilience into Queensland homes devastated by recent flooding. Today is a positive step and we all must keep working together to protect homes and communities from the impacts of extreme weather,” Mr Johnston said. 

“We have called for this investment as part of Suncorp’s four-point plan for a more resilient Australia, and we look forward to flood-impacted Queenslanders having safer and stronger homes.” 

Suncorp’s four-point plan also includes further investment to improve public infrastructure, improvements to planning laws, building codes and approval processes, and the removal of inefficient taxes and charges from insurance premiums. 

“As an insurer we also have a role to play. Our insurance products are designed to help severely impacted customers, with Suncorp Insurance customers having access to our Build it Back Better product feature and GIO customers our Safety Net,” Mr Johnston said. 

“As the flood recovery efforts continue along the East Coast we will also be advocating alongside the Insurance Council for ongoing multi-year investment in a range of measures to better protect households and communities from the impacts of extreme weather.”  

To date, Suncorp Group, with brands including Suncorp Insurance, AAMI and Apia, has received more than 38,000 claims from the floods and storms. This includes more than 17,000 home insurance claims in Queensland. The postcodes with the most insurance claims in Queensland are Deagon, Aspley and Everton Park, Oxley and Caboolture.  

“Suncorp is a proud Queensland company – we have been through this before and we understand the impact devastating extreme weather events have on people’s lives, livelihoods and our broader society and economy. We are here to support and to get the job done,” he said.  

“We're expanding our teams right across the country, providing extra support to our customers affected by the floods and ensuring they get back on their feet as quickly as possible. 

“We are recruiting more than 600 extra people to speed the recovery process - from leaders in disaster response and event claims, event response coordinators, claims managers and customer service specialists. Our dedicated teams help our customers when they need it most.”  

Watch the full announcement here.