More than 6,700 claims have been filed as a result of the bushfires that still grip the state of Victoria, Australia with a death toll at last count of 210.
The Insurance Council of Australia said on Wednesday that approximately 60 percent of personal and commercial claims received have been assessed by insurers as adjusters are able to gain access to the affected areas.
"As access improves, assessors are able to move into more of the affected areas, allowing the general insurance industry to assess the damage to insured properties resulting from the Victorian bushfires," Kerrie Kelly, chief executive officer of the Insurance Council, said in a statement.
To date, she said, there have been 6,760 claims received amounting to 810 million Australian dollars ($518 million at the current U.S. exchange rate).
In addition, there are 800 claims resulting from floods in Far North Queensland amounting to an insured loss of 12 million Australian ($8 million).
According to the Insurance Council's Web site, the losses still pale in comparison to a 1989 earthquake that rocked Australia's Newcastle in the state NSW that cost insurers 4.3 billion in 2007 Australian dollars ($3.75 billion in 2007 U.S.).
Australia ABC News reported the death toll from the Victorian fires stands at 210 and major fires are still burning throughout the state. There is concern that a change in wind direction could fan flames near Melbourne, Australia.
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