Bushfire insurance claims already at $13m and expected to rise Fire damaged vehicles at a Stoneville property Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images INSURANCE assessors have started reviewing claims in bushfire-affected communities in the Perth Hills. The devastating blaze, which tore through the Parkerville and Stoneville districts on Sunday, destroyed 56 properties and damaged many homes, businesses and vehicles. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services today began allowing insurance assessors and electrical contractors into fire affected areas via a permit system. The remains of one of the 56 homes destroyed in Sunday's fire. Insurance Council of Australia chief executive Rob Whelan said assessors were entering fire-damaged areas once safety had been assured and had geared up to handle inquiries and claims. He said reviewing the extent of damage would take some time, and he encouraged affected residents to contact their insurer as soon as possible to lodge a claim. By 9am today, almost 300 claims had been lodged, with estimated insurance losses of just over $13 million, however more claims are likely to be lodged this week. "Yesterday, the ICA declared a catastrophe for this bushfire," Mr Whelan said. Affected policyholders can be reassured the insurance industry is prioritising their claims to help them recover from this disaster as swiftly as possible. Mr Whelan said the ICA had sent a disaster recovery specialist to the area. Many roads remain closed to the public in the fire-affected area and DFES warns that many areas may still be hazardous due to damaged infrastructure and abstestos, downed powerlines and the risk of falling tree branches. Western Power advises that just over 450 properties remain without power and crews have been working on rebuilding the above and below ground network.