Bushfire Assistance Package

Premium support

AIAA and CMLA will be extending the current premium waiver offers to cover additional locations in New South Wales, as well as the newly affected states Victoria and South Australia.

myOwn will provide a waiver of premium payments of 3 months to eligible members residing in bushfire affected areas, as well as access to policy suspension for up to 2 years. Members who are volunteer firefighters working in the affected areas will be eligible for a premium waiver of one month.

How your clients can apply for the waiver

If you have clients you think may have been impacted by the fires, please contact us on 1800 033 490 or at au.disasterrelief@aia.com to discuss how we can help them by 30 April 2020.

Claims Support

We understand that providing tailored claims management programs to those of your clients in bushfire-affected regions is critical at this stage. We’ve identified current claimants within these regions, and our claims teams will be giving them priority and working with them to tailor temporary claims solutions during the short to medium term.

Donation Support

AIAA, AIA Group and CMLA will be donating over $100,000 to bushfire relief, half of which will be going to the Australian Red Cross for urgent relief measures. We will then work with disaster recovery experts to determine how the remaining funds can be best put towards the long-term rebuilding of impacted communities.

On the 27 January 2020, we will be establishing additional avenues for donations by adding the Australian Red Cross as an AIA Vitality Active Benefits member. AIA Vitality members will be able to assign their weekly Active Benefits reward to the Australian Red Cross.

We are also encouraging members to donate to the organisation via the GoFundMe fundraising site (links will be promoted on the AIAA, AIA Vitality and CMLA websites, and in the AIA Vitality member portal and app).

Crisis, Health and Wellbeing Support

AIAA and CMLA will provide tailored support to those of your clients in bushfire-affected areas. Our call centres have been provided with information about the support that AIAA can offer, as well as a list of government and community organisations assisting impacted areas.

When requested by you or your clients, our teams can help people access the services they may need, whether this is help with finding accommodation, applying for government disaster grants, or accessing financial counselling and mental health support.

Once your clients’ immediate needs are met over the coming weeks and months, our focus will shift to supporting their mental and physical welfare. We’re currently working with our internal rehabilitation teams to deliver wellbeing programs to those impacted by the bushfires, and have also noted existing support programs available to you and your clients.

AFA

AFA Care's Benestar team is available to provide you with psychological and emotional support should you or someone you know have been impacted by these fires. Please contact AFA Care on 1300 360 364 for more information.

AFA Care is a confidential coaching and wellbeing service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is free to access for you, your employees and your families.

FPA

For FPA members who have been directly impacted by the bushfires, free, confidential support via FPA Wellbeing is available. FPA Wellbeing offers support by telephone, face to face and online platforms. There is also a critical incident and major events resource kit available, which includes information on how to support yourself and others impacted.

The support available includes:

• Personal, confidential support sessions with qualified counsellors or psychologists via phone, Live Chat or face-to-face call 1300 360 364.
• Access to a library of health and wellbeing resources available on your mobile via an app, or from your computer or tablet via the website.

The FPA is also in the process of establishing a pro bono program where members can volunteer their time to help Australians impacted by the bushfires rebuild financially. FPA members who are interested being part of this pro bono program should contact the FPA to get more information by emailing probono@fpa.com.au. AFA Care is a confidential coaching and wellbeing service available 24/7, seven days a week and is free to access for you, your employees and your families.

Support program for policyholders

AIAA is also working with APM, the world’s leading mission-driven human services organisation. In response to the bushfires, APM has established the APM Assure Community Support Line, a free telephone counselling service for Australians impacted by the fires and in need of support.

Callers to the Community Support Line will be able to speak with qualified psychologists who have experience counselling others in times of crisis. The service includes the Assure national network, as well as clinicians from across the broader APM team.

For the moment, APM Assure Community Support Line will be operating 9am–6pm, Monday to Friday, AEST. Those seeking support are encouraged to call 1800 276 113.

If you have clients you think may require urgent assistance, please use the nominated support program or call us on 1800 033 490.