The damage bill for a hail storm which saw Sydney and the Central Coast pelted by large tennis ball-sized hailstones days before Christmas is climbing.

More than 81,000 households have now made insurance claims, totalling almost $675 million, with about three-quarters of the claims relating to vehicle damage.

IAG Property and Motor Claims executive manager Luke Gallagher tells Ross Greenwood they’re trying to get the claims lodged as quickly as possible.

“The damage I’m seeing now is probably up there with some of the biggest events I’ve seen in my history in insurance.”

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