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Severe Weather

Preparing for bushfire season

November 26, 2023 by insuranceca

Home Severe Weather

Preparing for bushfire season

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Before a bushfire 

The best time to prepare for a bushfire is before the bushfire season starts.

People living in bushfire-prone areas should take steps to minimise their risk and prepare a bushfire plan – include evacuation and communication plans and a disaster supply kit.

Local fire services – rural and metropolitan – can provide guidelines on how to best prepare your property for bushfire season. 

This includes practical measures such as trimming trees and shrubs, mowing grass and removing cuttings, removing materials that can burn around your home, clearing debris from gutters and ensuring you have hoses and a reliable source of water.

Before bushfire season you should also:

  • Inspect your property and take practical steps to reduce risk such as cleaning your gutters, keeping lawns and gardens maintained and cleaning up green waste items around the property.
  • Use a building and contents insurance calculator to ensure your insurance cover adequately covers estimated costs to repair, rebuild or replace home and contents, vehicles and any outbuildings on your property in event of a disaster.
  • Prepare a room-by-room inventory of the contents of your home. This list helps determine if your assets are adequately protected and can save time when making a claim.
  • Review all building, contents, and landlord insurance policies. Make sure you understand what cover you have, as well as any exclusions or limits that may be a part of your insurance policy. It is important to be aware of these exclusions and to query your insurer about any part of a policy you do not understand.
  • Ensure you are covered now before bushfire threats are heightened, as some insurers may place a temporary embargo on the purchase of new policies if bushfires are imminent.

Terms to take note of

While every policy is different, there are some insurance terms, exclusions and conditions to be aware of in household insurance policies. These include:

  • Embargoes or no coverage for a set time at the start of a policy.
  • No cover for loss or damage where no flame damage has occurred, such as scorching, melting, heat, smoke, ash or soot.
  • Coverage for a burning building within a specified distance of your home.
  • Loss mitigation clauses, such as taking all reasonable precautions:
    • For the safety and protection of your building and the site.
    • To prevent injury or damage to your building or property.
    • To ensure compliance with all statutory obligations, bylaws or regulations imposed by any public authority relating to the safety of persons or property.

Ask your insurer for clarification if you need to. 

During a bushfire

If you live in a bush fire-prone area you should know the fire danger rating each day during bushfire season.

If a fire is approaching you should enact your disaster plan, leaving early if possible and taking your disaster supply kit and pets with you.

There are practical steps you can take to stay safe and minimise damage to your property during a bushfire, including turning off the gas supply, clearing leaves, twigs, bark and other debris from the roof and gutters and moving flammable items – such as woodpiles, paper, boxes, crates, hanging baskets and garden furniture – away from your home.

You should stay informed and listen to local authorities, emergency services and ABC local radio for updates. 

It is usually too late to check your insurance cover, or buy a policy, once a bushfire is heading towards your property.

Useful links

Code of Practice
Reduce Your Risk
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icon www.moneysmart.gov.au

What to do after a bushfire

November 26, 2023 by TheoTheoICA

Home Severe Weather

What to do after a bushfire

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Your safety is the priority

If you have evacuated after a bushfire, you should not return home until you are advised it is safe to do so.

Contact your insurer even if you don't know the extent of damage

  • You should contact your insurance company as soon as possible to seek advice about the claims process
  • Speak to your insurer before you attempt or authorise any building work, including emergency repairs, and ask for the insurer’s permission in writing. Unauthorised work may not be covered by your policy
  • Do not be concerned if insurance documents are not readily at hand. Insurers keep records electronically and require only your name and address in order to find a policy

Returning to your property

  • If your home is unsafe, notify your local authorities and check with your insurance company whether you can claim temporary housing expenses
  • You can remove and discard any damaged goods that pose a health risk, such as carpets or soft furnishings, but take photos and keep samples of materials and fabrics to show the assessor
  • Keep any items that could be repaired and if in doubt speak to your insurer

Claims process

  • If you are in urgent financial need you can ask your insurer to fast track your claim and make an advance payment within five business days of you demonstrating your urgent financial need. Any advance payment may be deducted from the total value of your claim
  • If your claim has been finalised within one month of the disaster, your insurer must give you six months from the finalisation date to ask for a review of your claim (for instance, if you think the insurer has not accurately assessed your loss), even if you have signed a release.

Useful links

Code of Practice
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icon www.moneysmart.gov.au

New data shows historic catastrophes would have greater impact today

September 13, 2023 by insuranceca

Home Severe Weather

New data shows historic catastrophes would have greater impact today

News release

Wednesday, 12 September 2023

New data released by the Insurance Council has revealed that the cost of both the 1999 Sydney Hailstorm and Cyclone Tracy would far outstrip last year’s record-breaking flood if they happened today.

  • The Sydney Hailstorm, which caused $1.7 billion in insured losses when it rained cricket-ball-sized hailstones on the city in April 1999, would result in an estimated $8.85 billion in insured losses if it happened in 2023.
  • Cyclone Tracy, which killed 71 people and caused $200 million in insured losses when it struck Darwin on Christmas Eve 1974, would cause an estimated $7.4 billion in insured losses in 2023.
  • The 2022 South-East Queensland and New South Wales Floods cost $6 billion in insured losses and remain the costliest extreme weather event in our history.

The new data, calculated by Australian catastrophe modelling firm Risk Frontiers, uses methodology that normalises the losses of past insurance catastrophes to account for inflation, changes in property numbers and values, and stricter building codes, enabling insurers, reinsurers, governments, and other policymakers to better understand the likely impact of future extreme weather events.

The changes in estimated insured losses for the historic events is due to the increase in people and property across Australia, particularly in large population centres, underscoring the need for greater investment in measures to make at-risk communities more resilient to extreme weather.

Risk Frontiers has also provided updated data on historic insurance catastrophes adjusted for inflation only, allowing a comparison of actual insured losses from events over the last half century.

The new data is included in the ICA’s annual Insurance Catastrophe Resilience Report, which also examines the most pressing issue currently facing the Australian insurance industry and its customers – affordability and availability – and the clear link between risks and costs.

The report calls for increased investment in resilience and mitigation measures as part of an ongoing program to reduce risk and cost pressures, the end of development on floodplains, the broadening of home buy-back schemes to move people out of danger, improved building codes to make buildings more resilient, and reform of state taxes on insurance products to provide immediate cost relief.

Comment attributable to Insurance Council of Australia CEO Andrew Hall:

The financial impact of insurance catastrophes over the past 12 months was around one fifth of the cost of the previous record-breaking year, but more benign weather conditions should not provide false hope that the issues of worsening extreme weather risk have gone away.

This new data shows that when – not if – extreme weather events strike large population centres in the future we can expect them to have a greater impact and be more costly, making the case for risk mitigation even more pressing.

We can’t wait until disaster strikes, we need to act now by investing more to make communities more resilient, reform land-use planning and building codes and, in some cases, move people and homes out of danger altogether.

Read Full Report here

Useful links

icon 2022-23 Catastrophe Resilience Report
icon Media Release PDF
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Insurers revisit NSW Central-West flood communities

February 14, 2023 by Shannon White

Home Severe Weather

Insurers revisit NSW Central-West flood communities

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News release

Tuesday, 7 March 2023

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) and insurers will be in Eugowra, Parkes and Forbes in mid-March to assist flood-impacted communities with their insurance claims.

The in-person customer meetings are part of a continuing effort by the insurance industry to assist policyholders with their flood-related claims.

These meetings are an opportunity for customers to discuss their individual claims with their insurer.

The Wednesday 22 March evening community information session in Parkes will provide an overview of the claim process and will include how to lodge a complaint.

Policyholders from surrounding areas are encouraged to attend the information session and book a consultation for individual claim assistance.

• Eugowra Bowls & Recreation Club, 5 Hill Street Eugowra
Tuesday 21 March 12pm – 8 pm in-person customer meetings with insurers.
• Parkes Services Club, 17 Short St Parkes
Wednesday 22 March 10 am – 4 pm in-person customer meetings with insurers.
Wednesday 22 March 5pm-8pm Community information session
• Club Forbes, Templar St Forbes
Thursday 23 March 12pm – 8pm in-person customer meetings with insurers
Appointments are recommended for the in-person customer meetings with insurers.

To book an in-person meeting go to www.insurancecouncil.com.au/Bookings

Quote attributable to ICA CEO Andrew Hall:

Insurers are always available by phone or online, however we know there’s great value in holding community information sessions and in-person meetings in impacted communities.

We encourage policyholders who have flood-affected properties and would like assistance to meet with their insurer.

Since mid-November more than 13,000 claims at an estimated value of $196 million have been lodged for flood damage in the region.

This includes 6552 home property claims, 4038 home contents claims and 763 motor vehicle claims.

Useful links

icon Media Release
icon Book your appointment

Insurers revisit NNSW flood communities for in-person

February 14, 2023 by Shannon White

Home Severe Weather

Insurers revisit NNSW flood communities for in-person meetings

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News release

Tuesday, 14 February 2023

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) and insurers will hold in-person customer meetings at four locations in northern NSW in March in a continuing effort by the insurance industry to assist policyholders and finalise flood-related claims.  

The one-year-on customer meetings are an opportunity for policyholders who lodged claims after last year’s devastating severe weather to discuss any part of their claim with their insurer.  

Insurers are always available by phone or web; however, many people prefer to discuss their claim in-person.  

Customer meetings will be held from midday to 8pm on: 

  • Monday 6 March at Lismore Workers Sports Club 202 Oliver Ave, Goonellabah 
  • Tuesday 7 March at Mullumbimby Golf Club 600 Coolamon Scenic Drv, Mullumbimby 
  • Wednesday 8 March at Casino RSM 162 Canterbury St, Casino 
  • Thursday 9 March at Ballina RSL 1 Grant St, Ballina 

Appointments are essential. To book go to insurancecouncil.com.au/bookings

South-east Queensland customer meetings will commence in four locations on Monday 20 to 23 February at North Brisbane (Geebung), Sunshine Coast (Maroochydore), South Brisbane (Coorparoo) and Caboolture. 

Quote attributable to ICA CEO Andrew Hall:     

The estimated insurance cost of this event is $5.7 billion, making it Australia’s most costly natural disaster.  

Insurers are assisting their customers by finalising assessments, repairs and rebuilds and completing claims, with 78 percent of the more than 239,000 claims now closed. 

As the one-year mark approaches insurers are once again undertaking in-person consultations.  

This will be the industry’s fourth visit to some locations and each time the ICA and insurers return for these in-person meetings we help people navigate the claim process and their recovery.  

Useful links

icon Media Release
icon Book your appointment

Insurers revisit SEQ flood communities for in-person meetings

February 6, 2023 by Shannon White

Home Severe Weather

Insurers revisit SEQ flood communities for in-person meetings

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News release

Monday, 6 February 2023

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) and insurers will hold in-person customer meetings at four locations in South-East Queensland in February in a continuing effort by the insurance industry to assist policyholders and finalise flood-related claims.

The one-year-on customer meetings are an opportunity for policyholders who lodged claims after last year’s devastating severe weather to discuss any part of their claim with their insurer.

Insurers are always available by phone or web; however, many people prefer to discuss their claim in-person.

Customer meetings will be held from midday to 8pm on:

  • Monday 20 February - North Brisbane at Geebung RSL (323 Newman Rd, Geebung)
  • Tuesday 21 February - Sunshine Coast at Maroochydore RSL (105 Memorial Ave, Maroochydore)
  • Wednesday 22 February - South Brisbane at Coorparoo RSL (45 Holdsworth St, Coorparoo)
  • Thursday 23 February - Caboolture at Caboolture Sports Centre (Hasking St & Beerburrum Rd Caboolture)

Appointments are essential. To book go to insurancecouncil.com.au/bookings

Northern NSW in-person customer meetings are scheduled for early March in four locations: Lismore, Mullumbimby, Casino and Ballina. Dates and locations will be released in coming days.

Quote attributable to ICA CEO Andrew Hall:   

The estimated insurance cost of this event is $5.7 billion, making it Australia’s most costly natural disaster.

Insurers are assisting their customers by finalising assessments, repairs and rebuilds and completing claims, with 78 percent of the more than 239,000 claims now closed.

As the one-year anniversary approaches insurers are once again undertaking in-person consultations.

This will be the industry’s fourth visit to some locations and each time the ICA and insurers return for these in-person meetings we help people navigate the claim process and their recovery.

 

Useful links

icon Media Release
icon Book your appointment
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