Don’t be complacent this storm season

As Queensland enters its peak time for severe weather, RACQ research has revealed that almost one in three (31%) Queenslanders haven’t checked the condition of their roof, and one in four haven’t trimmed back overhanging trees or cleaned their gutters.

The findings come despite almost half (49%) of Queenslanders saying they are concerned about the unpredictability of severe weather events in the State.

RACQ Chief Executive Insurance Trent Sayers said although the weather is predicted to be dryer than usual, there is still a risk of severe thunderstorms that can form rapidly.

“Severe thunderstorms are common in the warmer months and often you don’t have time to prepare your home before they hit,” Mr Sayers said.

“Our research found that 44% of Queenslanders are concerned about damage to their home during storm season and 38% are worried about damage to their car.

“It was revealed that the most common behaviours undertaken when preparing for storms were moving vehicles to a safe area or securing outdoor furniture.

“While these are important measures, it’s tasks like cleaning your gutters and checking your roof for loose sheets, cracked tiles, deteriorated seals or rust that have the biggest impact on protecting your home from severe weather.”

Over the past year, RACQ received 9,287 home and motor claims for flood, hail and storm damage across Queensland.

“According to our insurance claims data, the Wide Bay, Central Queensland and South West Queensland regions had the highest frequency of claims related to severe weather in the past 12 months,” Mr Sayers said.

“Despite it being a relatively subdued storm year, last year nearly a third of total home insurance claims were for storm, hail or flood.

“Queensland is the most vulnerable state when it comes to severe weather events, and we want all residents to prepare themselves as best as possible.”

RACQ research also revealed that 39% of Queenslanders haven’t reviewed their sum insured value within their home insurance policy in the past 12 months.

“Concerningly, more than one in four 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," Mr Sayers 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 be different.

“If you’re in the unfortunate situation of being affected by a severe weather event, you can lodge your claim online, the earlier we receive it the sooner we can assist.”

To find out more about what to expect this severe weather season, watch this video from Channel 7 Meteorologist Tony Auden:

For more information on preparing for storm season, visit: racq.com/storms