The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has urged households to prepare their homes and review their insurance coverage ahead of the severe weather season, warning that the declaration of El Niño does not guarantee a dry summer. The Bureau of Meteorology has declared the climate phenomenon, which has historically been associated with drier conditions in eastern Australia. However, the country is on track for its wettest El Niño year on record, with widespread storms affecting parts of Queensland and the Northern Territory in October.
Insurance Council of Australia deputy chief executive Kylie Macfarlane said extreme weather could catch communities off guard regardless of seasonal forecasts. She urged households to clean gutters, maintain gardens, document home contents and use building and contents calculators to ensure their insurance coverage reflects potential repair, rebuilding and replacement costs. Macfarlane also advised policyholders to review their policies for exclusions and coverage limits and ensure they have adequate insurance before severe weather threats intensify, as some insurers may temporarily restrict new policies or increases in coverage when extreme weather is imminent.
The council said households whose properties are damaged should contact their insurers as soon as it is safe to do so, document damage with photographs and retain damaged items unless they pose a health risk. Policyholders should also consult their insurers before authorising or beginning repairs. Macfarlane said preparation, including checking policy limits and coverage, could make recovery easier if disaster strikes.