Don’t risk it, be prepared for storm season
An RACQ report found that most Queenslanders were not taking the recommended steps to prepare for storm season.
RACQ’s Attitudes Towards Storm Season Report found less than half of Queenslanders surveyed had an emergency kit (40%) or emergency plan (46%) ready for the summer storm season.
Queensland is at higher risk of extreme weather due to the influence of climate drivers, including a third consecutive summer La Nina event, until at least early 2023.
The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast a 60% chance of above-average rainfall for coastal Queensland between December and February and a 70% chance of an above-average number of cyclones forming in waters off Queensland this summer.
RACQ Group Executive Insurance Trent Sayers said Queenslanders should not be complacent about storm season.
“Cleaning gutters and downpipes, carrying out home repairs and maintenance, and having an emergency kit and plan in place, well in advance, is crucial to making your property and family more resilient to severe weather events,” Mr Sayers said.
“We’ve already seen glimpses of what’s in store for us this storm season, so it’s important for those households who haven’t yet given it much thought to acting now and not wait until the storm has arrived because that’s too late.”
He said it was essential to ensure you had insurance coverage and it was adequate.
“Concerningly, one in three surveyed said their home was either not insured, they didn’t know their sum-insured value, or didn’t think their insurance would cover rebuilding costs in today’s market," he said.
“It’s important to understand what you’re covered for in your insurance policy. RACQ Home Insurance includes flood, storm, and hail as standard*, but other insurers may differ.”
Mr Sayers said there was a common misconception that insurance would cover repairs following a weather event, even if the damage was linked to a maintenance-related issue.
“People need to stay on top of their home maintenance, for example, checking their roof tiles aren’t cracked and there isn’t loose sheeting or rotting timber,” he said.
Checklist to prepare for storm season
- Check home building and contents insurance is up to date.
- Clear gutters and downpipes, trim overgrown branches.
- Carry out home maintenance, including checking your roof for damaged or loose tiles and sheeting which may need repairing.
- Check your council’s flood maps to see if your property is at greater risk.Have an emergency kit and emergency plan.
- Remove or secure loose items from the yard that could become projectiles.
- Download the Bureau of Meteorology app and sign up for weather alerts.
- Register for weather alerts if offered by your local council.
*Insurance products issued by RACQ Insurance Limited ABN 50 009 704 152. Conditions, limits and exclusions apply. This is general advice only and may not be right for you. Consider the PDS, SPDS and TMD available at racq.com
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