ACS Financial Living Waters Tumbulgum Testimonial

In March 2017, category 4 Tropical Cyclone Debbie combined with a low-pressure system off the Eastern seaboard of Australia, affecting over 65,000 residents of Queensland and Northern New South Wales. Achieving peak sustained winds of 195km/h, Debbie caused A$3.5 billion in damages and fourteen deaths across the affected regions, primarily due to flooding, making it the deadliest cyclone to hit Australia since Cyclone Fifi in 1991. Over 30,000 people were evacuated from their homes and the storm was classified as a Natural Disaster event.
In the small regional town of Tumbulgum, New South Wales, the flood waters reached 4 metres in height and the small but resilient community sustained significant loss and damage to property, possessions, livestock and unfortunately, lives.
Living Waters Church in Tumbulgum found their sanctuary immersed in flood water, sustaining $11,000 of damage and lost contents, and the church had to suspend its regular worship services for several weeks. While the church’s focus was to immediately serve their community, their own losses meant they too were also in need of assistance to recover from the storm. And as the damage and fatalities continued to amass, the grieving community needed the church’s strength more than ever.
ACS Financial were there to help. Within days of the natural disaster, ACS Financial were on the ground in Tumbulgum, helping Senior Pastors Rob and Brenda Stuttle begin the process of healing and rebuilding; both the community and its structures.
With uncertainty surrounding the official cause of the damage for insurance purposes, some of the community found their insurers unwilling to pay their claims. Insured losses across Australia reached A$1.65 billion, with 73,000 damage claims being filed. Hydrologists were brought in to ascertain if the damage was classified as storm or flood damage. For Living Waters Church, an excess of $2,500 would apply if the damage was classified as storm related. However, should the damage be considered a result of flooding, the payment would increase to $5,000.
When the cause was officially declared as flood damage, ACS made the decision to honour the lower excess payment for Living Waters Church. ACS were also able to pay a portion of the claim upfront to Living Waters Church, which enabled the church to purchase equipment to get themselves back up and running so they could serve and assist the community with the recovery and cleanup efforts.
“While our aim was to help the community, we needed help ourselves. It’s only in the midst of a crisis that you realise the value of having an insurance broker who understands your unique needs.” said Pastor Rob.
ACS Financial provides insurance and protection services for approximately 2,500 churches, ministries and Christian schools Australia wide. We’re uniquely positioned to provide specialized insurance products and risk management advice. And of course, in the event of a disaster, a caring and compassionate response. At ACS, we understand you.
Contact us today to find out how we can assist you with your Insurance and Protection needs.
Website: www.acsfinancial.com.au/
Contact: 1800 531 534