QBE announces funds for bushfire support

PRESS RELEASE

QBE Insurance today said $100,000 from its new disaster relief and climate resilience fund will be allocated to support Red Cross bushfire relief and recovery efforts.

QBE Group CEO Pat Regan said this was the first allocation of funding under QBE’s three-year partnership with Red Cross and Save the Children, which is designed to support the rapid mobilisation of support for disaster relief activities in response to catastrophic events.

“In the wake of disaster our priority is the safety, wellbeing and, ultimately, the recovery of our customers and the communities in which they live.

“These funds will support the extraordinary work Red Cross is doing on the ground and in evacuation centres, providing care and support for devastated communities.”

In addition, Mr Regan said QBE would also match donations to the Red Cross bushfire appeal from its employees, on a dollar for dollar basis.

QBE Australia Pacific CEO, Vivek Bhatia, said additional resources had already been deployed to ensure insurance claims arising from the bushfires could be handled as quickly as possible.

“Following disaster, we know that our customers need their insurer to respond quickly and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them to help pick up the pieces. Our teams are ready to go.

“If you need to make a claim due to bushfire damage, please contact us as soon as you’re safe and able to do so. We’ll confirm your cover and start any assessment process immediately,” Mr Bhatia said.