Reid, Campbell and Fadden were the ACT suburbs hardest hit by wild weather this summer, when over a third of all ACT home insurance claims were caused by severe weather (39 per cent), new claims data released by NRMA Insurance today reveals.

Despite ACT residents being the most concerned in the country about the growing frequency and severity of wild weather, just 54 per cent plan to prepare this autumn. This follows only one in three (33 per cent) taking any steps to prepare during the summer just gone.

The results feature in the latest edition of the NRMA Insurance Wild Weather Tracker, which surveyed 3,500 Australians, including 500 ACT residents.

National findings

The research finds Australians moving home are more likely to research where they can grab a coffee or dine locally, rather than check the risks to their safety and property from wild weather.

The survey revealed that only 26 per cent of people who have recently moved or are planning to relocate have researched their new property’s vulnerability to wild weather risks.

Concerningly, more than six in 10 Australians (62 per cent) don’t even know where to find advice regarding weather risks in their local area. This is despite the continuing and devastating impacts of severe weather being experienced across the country in recent years.

The Tracker shows that NRMA Insurance received 10,120 claims for wild weather damage to homes and vehicles nationally this summer, the lowest number received over a summer period in the last six years of tracking claims. Despite a relatively mild season compared to previous years, most of the claims received were for damage to homes (7,645) with nearly half (47 per cent) of all home claims across the country caused by severe weather.

NRMA Insurance executive general manager direct claims, Luke Gallagher said: “With the increasing frequency and severity of wild weather, it’s important for all Australians, and particularly those moving to a new area, to know their local weather risks.

“Severe weather risks vary significantly by location, and even within towns and suburbs.

“Knowing the specific risks you face is vital, whether that’s a high risk such as flood, bushfire and cyclone, or even general risks from wind and storm damage to your property. Not understanding this level of risk can have major safety and financial impacts.

“For example, one common misconception is that a one-in-100-year flood risk means a flood will only happen every hundred years, when in fact, this means there’s a one per cent chance of a significant flood in any year.”

When asked what would help Australians feel the most prepared for wild weather, 44 per cent stated that knowledge about practical preparedness steps would make the biggest difference.

“The actions you take to prepare today can make all the difference if the worst happens. We encourage everyone to familiarise themselves with the advice from their state and territory emergency services. Local council websites and the Bureau of Meteorology are also excellent sources of practical information,” Mr Gallagher said.

The research also found that the gap between those planning to prepare for wild weather and those taking action has never been larger. While 59 per cent of Australians said they would take steps to prepare for wild weather during summer, only 37 per cent took any steps to prepare this past season.

The events that occurred throughout summer proved all areas of the nation are susceptible to wild weather. NSW was hit hard by powerful storms, including hail, which caused considerable damage in western parts of the state. Parts of SA experienced significant flooding along the Murray River, as did The Kimberley region in WA which saw its worst-ever flooding event.

Weather conditions across eastern Australia this season are expected to return closer to the autumn average, as the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) index returns to neutral then trends towards El Niño for winter. However, wild weather is still expected to have an impact, with possible severe thunderstorms bringing large hail and periods of heavy rain in eastern parts of the country, while drier conditions in the south and west pose an elevated risk of grassfires.

The full Tracker report can be accessed here: www.iag.com.au

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