Insurance company appoints cyclone customer specialist
Australian Pensioners Insurance Agency (Apia) has appointed a senior manager to assist customers in Innisfail affected by Cyclone Larry.
Glen Anderson has the new role of Customer Relations Manager.
He will be based in Cairns and travel on a daily basis to Innisfail and other areas where Apia customers are located.
A veteran of the insurance industry in Queensland, Glen started Apias operations in Queensland in the late 1980s.
His appointment is part of a major cyclone relief program by Apia.
It follows the recent opening of a new Apia branch in Innisfail to assist customers with insurance claims matters.
The company also has a branch in Cairns.
Apia is managing over 2700 claims as a result of damage caused by Cyclone Larry.
According to Apias State Manager for Queensland, David Atchison almost all of those claims have been assessed.
The company is still receiving claims on a daily basis and arranging assessments.
It has already paid out $2,600,000 in claims.
Work is progressing on repairs in homes throughout the areas damaged by the Cyclone, David Atchison said.
We are working with Shire Councils, builders and suppliers to ensure we make as much progress as possible in assisting local residents.
We have appointed Glen to add to the experienced people we have working on Cyclone Larry matters.
We know customers want regular communication about the progress of their claims.
They also want to be able to speak to experienced people about insurance issues.
Glen will work with our highly trained customer service staff in Cairns and Innisfail, as well as travel to other areas, he said.
Apias response to Cyclone Larry has been one of the largest in the companys history.
It has over 30 staff in Innisfail, Cairns, Brisbane and Melbourne working on claims from Cyclone Larry.
It has also contracted three major firms with 130 experienced assessors to work through the claims it has received.
Many of the tradespeople Apia is using for the repair of houses are renting accommodation in the Innisfail area.
We are conscious of the Shire of Johnstones wish to have builders and tradespeople in local accommodation.
We have gained the support of our builders to achieve that.
The rebuilding program will take time. If we can reduce that by cutting travel time for builders and others then that is an important benefit, David Atchison said.
Apia has built a major business by marketing insurance products and services for people aged 50 and over.
It is now a leader in this market providing home and contents, car, recreational vehicle and travel insurance.
In North Queensland it has regional offices in Cairns, Rockhampton and Townsville. They form part of a national network of 44 offices.
Brisbane, 18 May 2006
For further information contact:
David Atchison 07 3000 4933 or 0409 914 258
Ron Burke 03 8629 5705 or 0419 334 452
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