New research from NRMA Insurance has revealed that most of the 13.1 million Australians[1] who are planning a holiday this summer will prioritise a clean home over taking steps to protect it from severe weather.
Ensuring they leave their home clean is a priority for 2 in 3 Aussies (67%), rising to 71% among women.
In comparison, fewer than half (45%) of Aussies say they prioritise preparing their home to withstand extreme weather before they go away, skipping critical measures such as clearing gutters, removing debris and tying down loose outdoor items.
Launching the latest edition of the NRMA Insurance Wild Weather Tracker, Executive General Manager Retail Claims Luke Gallagher said this is a concern given that summer is by far the most dangerous season for wild weather.
“An analysis of NRMA Insurance claims data[2] over the past five years since the 2019-20 ‘Black Summer’ has confirmed that 42% of all wild weather claims have occurred during summer,” Mr Gallagher said.
“NRMA Insurance has received a claim due to extreme weather every 4 minutes and 39 seconds during summer for the past five years, which is a 60 per cent increase on the other seasons in the year”
“Critically, a standout finding from our latest consumer research is that 11% of Australians have experienced returning from a holiday to find their home has been damaged by thunderstorms, hail, floods, wild winds or bushfire.
“The lesson here is that ensuring your home is as well-protected as possible from extreme weather damage is never more important than at this time of year.”
NRMA Insurance’s consumer research also found that 54% of Australians are concerned about being impacted by extreme heat this summer, while 46% are concerned about severe storms, 37% by bushfire or grassfire, 28% hail and 17% flood.
To prepare for extreme weather this summer NRMA Insurance recommends:
- Clear your gutters, downpipes and drains - Clearing your gutters regularly can help to protect your home from storm water overflow which can cause water to enter and damage your property.
- Secure loose outdoor items - Reduce the risk of strong winds damaging your property by securing outdoor furniture and items.
- Trim overhanging trees and branches around your home – Regular inspections can help prevent potential damage caused by high winds. Always be careful and get a professional to do these tasks if it’s too dangerous to do it yourself.
- Clean up debris around your property – ensuring that the area around your home is clear is important in the event of severe storms and bushfires.
[1] Online research of 3,510 people nationally was conducted on behalf of NRMA Insurance by Pureprofile in November 2024. Unless otherwise stated, all statistics given in this article are taken from this research.
[2] NRMA Insurance claims data for the period summer 2019-20 to spring 2024.
Key Facts:
NRMA Insurance receives a claim due to wild weather damage every 4 min 39 seconds in summer.
Extreme weather spikes in summer, but Aussies prioritise leaving their home clean, rather than wild-weather safe, when they go on holiday
About us:
About the Wild Weather Tracker
The NRMA Insurance Wild Weather Tracker monitors severe weather claims across New South Wales, Queensland, the ACT, South Australia, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Tasmania and is released after every season to encourage people to take regular steps to protect their homes, properties, vehicles and communities. Online research of 3,510 people nationally (1,111 NSW, 704 QLD, 901 Vic, 368 WA, 255 SA, 64 Tas, 31 NT and 76 ACT residents) was conducted on behalf of NRMA Insurance by Pureprofile in November 2024.
About NRMA Insurance: A Help Company
NRMA Insurance is Australia’s most trusted insurance brand1, helping more than 3 million Australians protect what matters.
Help has been at the heart of NRMA Insurance since its beginnings in 1925 as a member-only company that provided motor insurance policies to the first drivers in NSW. NRMA Insurance has grown to become a national brand that helps people protect their cars, homes and businesses. It has a proud history of working with communities to build their resilience against extreme weather and keep people safer on the road. NRMA Insurance helps Australians understand their local risks and prepare for extreme weather through its Help Nation initiative.
NRMA Insurance is backed by IAG, Australia and New Zealand’s largest general insurer.
1Roy Morgan Most Trusted Brands 2024
Contact details:
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M: +61 412 398 489
