Sedgwick Releases its Australian Catastrophe Season: Lessons Learned and Looking Ahead Report

New report shares lessons from July 2025 to June 2026 catastrophe season and insights to strengthen preparedness and response

SYDNEY, Australia, 15 October 2026 – Sedgwick has released its 2025–2026 Australian Catastrophe Season: Lessons Learned and Looking Ahead Report, examining how its response to major catastrophe events across Australia is informing preparations for the remainder of 2026 and into 2027. From July 2025 to June 2026 the catastrophe season saw Australian communities impacted by bushfires, floods, severe storms, and hail, with five major events generating more than 144,000 claims and over A$3.8 billion in insured losses across the industry. The season reinforced the importance of preparing early, combining technical expertise with genuine human connection, communicating clearly, and adapting quickly as events unfold. 

“Every catastrophe presents different challenges, but this latest season reinforced the value of preparing before an event occurs and having the flexibility to respond as circumstances change,” said Jason Wyer, CAT Manager and General Manager Property at Sedgwick. “By combining predictive insights with experienced people on the ground, close collaboration with our clients, and a strong focus on the individual customer, we can respond more effectively when communities need us most.”

The report outlines lessons from the season to strengthen catastrophe preparedness, response, and recovery in the years ahead.

Key insights from the report that can be utilised moving forward include:

• Be on the ground early: Positioning adjusters in affected communities as soon as access is possible ensures that they will be able to speak with customers as claims are registered. Early mobilisation and regular communication give customers faster access to support and provide greater visibility of conditions on the ground.
• Keep people at the centre: Early identification of customers facing displacement, financial stress, health challenges, or potential total loss helps ensure they receive appropriate support. For example, during the 2026 Victorian bushfires, customers facing these challenges were prioritised for tailored support from teams trained to recognise signs of vulnerability and trauma and adapt their communication accordingly. Supporting the wellbeing of adjusters working on scene is also essential to sustaining an effective claims response.
• Prepare before the event: Predictive modelling, scenario planning, and early client engagement help anticipate claim volumes, resource requirements, and operational pressure points before an event unfolds.
• Find faster pathways to resolution: Identifying claims suitable for alternative pathways, including fast-tracked contents and total-loss property claims, can help reduce unnecessary delays.
• Turn information into action: Combining real-time intelligence from the field with claims data can help identify stalled claims, vulnerable customers, and complaints. These insights support earlier intervention, help match complex claims with experienced adjusters and inform ongoing portfolio management and recovery.

The 2025–2026 Australian Catastrophe Season: Lessons Learned and Looking Ahead Report is available for download online.

About Sedgwick 

Sedgwick is the world’s leading risk and claims administration partner, helping clients thrive by navigating the unexpected. The company’s expertise, combined with the most advanced AI-enabled technology available, sets the standard for solutions in claims administration, loss adjusting, benefits administration and product recall. With over 33,000 colleagues and 10,000 clients across 80 countries, Sedgwick provides unmatched perspective, caring that counts, and solutions for the rapidly changing and complex risk landscape. Sedgwick’s majority shareholder is The Carlyle Group; Stone Point Capital LLC, Altas Partners, CDPQ, Onex and other management investors are minority shareholders. For more, see Sedgwick.