River communities face uncertainty with insurance companies in the aftermath of northern floods
Tocumwal residents Kylie Clarke and husband Colin had their insurance cancelled, prompting fears other riverside communities may be affected.
Tocumwal sits on the NSW side of the Murray River border with Victoria, and is protected by a levee system of 14 kilometres of Berrigan Shire-owned banks, bolstered by those on private properties.
The Tocumwal levees have not been breached in living memory.
Kylie Clarke has lived in the tranquil riverside township for four years, and faithfully paid her Youi insurance premiums on her home and contents and two motor vehicles in the 10 years she had been a customer.
This year, instead of receiving her insurance renewal, Ms Clarke was shocked to receive a blunt email from the insurer, dumping her as a customer.
“...After recently reviewing your policy, we aren’t able to offer renewal...due to the latest version of the National Flood Information Database... As a result of the impact on the risk rating on your address, Youi is unfortunately unable to offer you a policy renewal,” the email read.
“I started to panic,” Ms Clarke told The Grazier.
“I thought ‘what if I can’t get insured at all?’ We could lose everything.”
