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Advice from Guild Insurance re bushfires

9 January 2020

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia sought advice from Guild Insurance to provide to Members who are operating in bushfire affected areas.

The following information has been provided by Guild Insurance.

For those insured by Guild Insurance, there are a range of resources available to help you during this difficult time. If you’ve been affected, we encourage you to contact your account manager for support.

The recent catastrophe is being handled as quickly as possible by your dedicated Guild Insurance Claims staff. Guild Insurance understands this is an extremely difficult time for you and we are committed to continue to provide you with exceptional customer service. Guild Insurance Claims are available 24 hours a day to be of assistance.

Guild Insurance Claims will provide you with your claim number and the name of your Claims Specialist who will assist you through the claims process.

Below is a quick reference guide which may be of assistance at this time:

  • Please contact Guild Insurance Claims on 1800 810 213 to report the damage or lodge a claim online at www.guildinsurance.com.au/claims
  • If there are any critical needs such as alternative accommodation, please contact Guild Insurance Claims as soon as possible on 1800 810 213.

If you have experienced any damage to property:

  1. Please contact Guild Insurance Claims as soon as possible if you need to need to make urgent temporary repairs to prevent any further damage.  Keep records of any emergency repair expenses that you incur;
  2. Take photos of the damage to building and possessions;
  3. Prepare a detailed inventory of damaged losses, including personal property; and
  4. If you have concerns about substances or asbestos, please advise Guild Insurance Claims and also contact your Local Council or Workplace Health and Safety.

If your business trading has been impacted and you are claiming business interruption, please:

  1. Advise Guild Insurance Claims of the interruption; and
  2. Gather information on income for 3 weeks prior to loss; and provide confirmation of days/hours loss of trade and of normal trading days/hours

If you have a motor vehicle that has been impacted, please advise Guild Insurance:

  • Whether your car is driveable
  • Where the vehicle is located

Additional assistance can also be provided by the SES:

  • SES number is 132 500.  
  • The SES can assist with temporary protection by providing house tarpaulins or emergency accommodation if required.

Financial Assistance may also be available through:

  • Department of Communities on 13 25 00
  • Centrelink – 13 28 50

You can also refer to Consumer FAQs for Disaster Recovery from the Insurance Council of Australia website www.disasters.org.au/faqs

Have you prepared for a bushfire?

In the wake of the devastating bushfires spreading across the country, it’s vital for rural and regional businesses to ensure they’re properly prepared.

If your business hasn’t been affected, it’s not too late to create and implement your bushfire emergency plan. All businesses need to be realistic about what can happen and be proactive in putting risk management strategies in place.

Matters to consider when preparing for a bushfire

  • Understand your risk of a bushfire based on location and current weather warnings
  • Know the safest route out of your local area
  • Understand bushfire danger ratings and what they mean
  • Follow and adhere to bushfire warnings when issued
  • Have a plan, and rehearse it, for what to do in the event there is a bushfire.

This plan includes but isn’t limited to:

  • Being ready and willing to leave early before you see signs of fire, allowing for how fast fires can travel
  • An evacuation plan which needs to consider not only staff but any clients or other visitors who may be on the premises
  • An emergency items kit which is packed at all times and includes all emergency contact phone numbers, mobile phone chargers and a first aid kit
  • Shelter options in the event you’re unable to leave
  • Be sure all staff are involved in preparing the business for a bushfire
  • Understand what you’re insured for in the event of a fire; contact your insurer if this needs updating

Bushfire preparation resources

Each state’s country or rural fire services have a range of resources to assist business and individuals prepare for and cope with a bushfire. Utilise these resources to ensure you’re as prepared as you can be.

Media Contact

The Guild

13 GUILD

communications@guild.org.au

Page last updated on: 15 June 2021