Media releases
Westpac provides disaster relief package for customers affected by Tropical Cyclone Debbie
28 March 2017
Westpac today announced that its Disaster Relief Package is available to customers impacted by Tropical Cyclone Debbie.
The package provides immediate practical help to assist customers with their finances and will be available for three months until Wednesday, 28 June 2017.
Greg Crocombe, Queensland General Manager Retail Banking said: "Our thoughts are with our customers during this difficult time and we wish to offer some peace of mind by providing this financial support.”
“I encourage anyone who needs assistance or advice to contact our Westpac Assist team via the Online Hardship Form or call 1800 067 497 when possible to discuss their circumstances.”
The Westpac Disaster Relief Package offers various options*, including the following:
- Affected customers with Westpac home loans may apply to defer repayments for up to three months;
- Affected businesses can request loan restructuring without incurring the usual bank fees such as establishment fees and break costs;
- Affected credit card customers may request an emergency credit limit increase;
- Affected credit card customers may apply to defer repayments to their card for up to 90 days;
- Customers wishing to purchase replacement goods may apply for a personal loan at a discounted interest rate with no establishment fee;
- Westpac may waive interest rate adjustments for affected customers wishing to withdraw term deposits; and
- Affected Westpac customers with Home and Contents insurance may be eligible to receive assistance under the terms of their insurance policies for emergency accommodation.
Westpac customers who wish to utilise these special relief measures or need assistance can use our Online Hardship Form to apply for instant approval. Alternatively, call Westpac Assist on 1800 067 497. This offer is available for customers to take up within three months of today’s date, until Wednesday 28 June 2017.
Insurance customers
All affected insurance customers should contact Westpac on 1300 369 989 so that we may assist with emergency accommodation. Claims can be lodged 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling this number. Insurance customers can make a claim by calling Westpac General Insurance or by using our online insurance claims service, available also on smartphone and tablets.
Our assessors are on the ground and ready to assist all customers in the worst affected areas. Customers should not put themselves at risk by going into affected areas to retrieve insurance documents or to take photographs. We understand proof of loss may not be possible and we will accept the word of customers in these instances.
*Westpac Home & Contents Insurance is issued by Westpac General Insurance Limited (WGIL) ABN 99 003 719 319 (except workers compensation cover where applicable). Westpac Banking Corporation ABN 33 007 457 141 (the Bank) arranges the insurance, but does not guarantee the insurance. This information does not take into account your personal circumstances. Terms, conditions and limitations and exclusions apply. Read the Product Disclosure Statement to see if this insurance is right for you. WGIL is a subsidiary of the Bank.
*Eligibility and credit criteria, terms and conditions apply. This information has been prepared without taking your objectives, needs and overall financial information into account. For further information or to request the full terms and conditions please contact Westpac on the numbers stated above.
© Westpac Banking Corporation ABN 33 007 457 141 AFSL and Australian credit licence 233714.