This is according to the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA), which has estimated about 17,500 claims have been lodged in Sydney and surrounds since the February 18 storm.

However, the Southern Highlands fared better than expected as far as claims were concerned, despite being hit hard by the storms.

The NRMA received about 25 motor vehicle claims and 20 property claims in the Highlands.

The NSW SES Wingecarribee Unit was called to only eight storm-related jobs.

A spokeswoman said the majority of call-outs were for leaking and damaged roofs.

“There does not appear to be any significant damage reported,” she said.

However, people could prevent damage to their homes in any storm by preparing before bad weather struck. “It is not safe to prepare once the storm is bearing down on you, it’s too late by then,” the spokeswoman said.

“That’s the time when you, your family and your pets should be indoors, keeping away from windows and ensuring your electrical devices are unplugged.

“We encourage people to prepare their homes and businesses when the weather’s fine, by trimming back any trees that could crash down on your property in strong winds, cleaning gutters and downpipes to stop water backfilling into your roof cavity and causing it to leak – or in the worst case, collapse – and securing or putting away those loose items around the yard and balcony that can blow around in strong winds and cause damage.”

The ICA declared the storm – which impacted large parts of Sydney – a catastrophe. 

An Insurance Australia Group Limited (which owns NRMA insurance) spokesman said the NRMA had activated an Emergency Online Lodgement option in response to the disaster.

ICA CEO Rob Whelam said losses from the event were likely to rise further as people returned home and to work. “The ICA urges all affected policyholders who have not yet lodged a claim to contact their insurer promptly,” he said.  “Once insurers are notified, they can get the claims assessment and repair processes underway as soon as possible.”

For more details on recovering from natural disasters, visit http://understandinsurance.com.au/recovering-from-a-disaster.