(UPDATED 05/03/2025)

Severe storms can have devastating effects on communities, homes, and businesses. As an insurance broker, your clients rely on you not only for guidance but also for emotional support during these challenging times. With North Queensland recently experiencing severe storms, it is crucial to stay prepared and provide the best assistance to your clients while also looking after your own well-being. LMI Group has extensive experience in supporting brokers and their clients through severe storm disasters. Drawing from experience, we’ve compiled essential tips to help you navigate this period effectively and compassionately.

1. Prioritise Self-Care and Well-being

Take Breaks and Manage Stress:
During crisis events, the volume of claims and client inquiries can be overwhelming. It is essential to schedule regular breaks to recharge and maintain your effectiveness. Burnout helps no one, so prioritise your well-being to continue supporting your clients at your best.

Seek Support When Needed:
You don’t have to do it all alone. Reach out to industry peers or utilise support services such as LMI’s Advice Line, where our experienced team can assist you with complex claims or challenging scenarios.


2. Clear and Compassionate Communication

Keep Clients Informed:
Severe storm events are distressing for affected clients. The best thing you can do is communicate clearly and consistently. Inform your clients about the claims process, expected timelines, and any required documentation.

Set Realistic Expectations:
Ensure clients understand the limitations and exclusions of their policies upfront to avoid surprises during the claims process. Managing expectations early helps reduce frustration and builds trust.

3. Safety Comes First

Avoid Hazards in Flooded Areas:
Flood waters can be deceptive and dangerous, concealing risks such as sharp debris, electrical hazards, and strong currents. Advise clients to stay out of flooded areas whenever possible and prioritise their safety above property concerns.

Encourage Safe Documentation:
If safe to do so, encourage clients to document damage with photos and videos, but remind them never to enter unsafe areas to capture images. Safety must always come first.

4. Streamline Claims and Support Processes

Be Proactive with Claims Documentation:
Assist clients by providing clear instructions on what documents are required for claims, such as proof of ownership, photos of damage, and repair estimates. This speeds up the claims process and reduces stress for clients.

Leverage LMI Group’s Expertise:
LMI Group is here to support you with our full suite of services:

  • Advice Line: Access expert advice when facing complex claims issues or policy queries.
  • Claims Preparation: Our team is only ever a phone call away, we are ready to assist with severe storm and flood claims, helping to ease the burden on brokers during this busy period.
  • LMI Legal: Our insurance law specialists can provide legal support and clarity on policy wording and claims disputes.
  • RiskCoach Short Courses: Our “Mould in the Claims Environment” short course is particularly relevant for severe storm and flood claims, offering valuable insights for effective claims management.

5. Maintain Compassion and Resilience

Be Empathetic and Understanding:
Severe storm events are traumatic. Show empathy and patience with clients who may be in distress. Listening and providing reassurance goes a long way in supporting them through the process.

Take Care of Your Mental Health:
Assisting clients during a natural disaster can be emotionally draining. Ensure you have the right support systems in place, whether it’s speaking with colleagues, seeking professional help, or taking time to decompress. With more and more clients experience mental health issues, LMI were the first to include a clinical psychologist as part of our team through Mastering our Minds.

We’re Here to Help You Help Your Clients

At LMI Group, we understand the pressures brokers face during natural disasters. Our experienced team is ready to support you and your clients throughout the claims process, providing guidance and expertise every step of the way.

If you need assistance with a severe storm or flood claim or would like to discuss a complex situation, please reach out for a no-obligation consultation. We are here to help you navigate these challenging times.

Contact us today or use the form below to get in touch.

LMI Group is committed to supporting the insurance community, especially during difficult times. Remember, you are not alone. Together, we can help affected communities rebuild and recover.

Don’t forget to:

  1. Take some time out: Ensure that you are taking time for yourself to regroup. This allows you to complete your most effective work.

  2. Communicate: Your clients are in a tough situation right now, the best thing you can do for them is be clear and concise with your communication.

  3. Safety is key. Flood waters can hide a multitude of risks to your personal safety. Do not wade through water if it can be avoided. At the very least, you must check for hazards such as exposed wiring, snags and the depth of the water itself.

  4. Ask for help when it’s needed: LMI Claims are ready to assist in multiple capacities:

Our Services.

  • Advice line: If you have an element of a claim that you are stuck on, we are here to help!

  • Claims Preparation: We are on the ground in the flood affected areas, ready to begin assistance. This is especially important when you need help dealing with the multitude of claims that will appear.

  • LMI Legal: We are specialists in Insurance Law, with a history of providing quality legal services to the insuring community.

  • RiskCoach Short Courses: The “Mould in the Claims Environment” short course will be invaluable to you as the claims progress.


We are more than happy to have a no obligation chat about your situation. Call us or send us a message using the form below.

How we can help with flood and storm damage:

If you or one of your clients has suffered a loss, please call our claims on the number below.