Westpac Banking : 13/02/2017 Westpac provides disaster relief package for customers affected by bushfires in New South Wales

13 February, 2017

Westpac today announced that its Disaster Relief Package is available to customers facing financial hardship following the recent bushfires in New South Wales.

James Cudmore, State General Manager Regional NSW, said Westpac's Disaster Relief Package offers immediate practical help to assist customers with their finances.

'We know this is a really difficult time for affected communities and we wish to extend our support to all customers affected by the bushfires.

'I encourage anyone who needs assistance or advice to contact their local Westpac Bank Manager or call our Westpac Assist team on 1800 067 497 as soon as possible to discuss their circumstances,' Mr Cudmore said.

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 should contact Westpac on 1300 731 073, Westpac Assist on phone 1800 067 497, or alternatively call their local Bank Manager. This offer is available for customers to take up within three months of today's date.

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.

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.