How to protect your home from extreme weather

Severe weather events are a natural part of in living in Australia – especially QLD. This means Aussie homes need to be resilient and withstand a variety of elements – from droughts and fires to cyclones, floods and storms. However, new research shows that between 2021 and 2022 extreme weather events cost every Australian household an average of $1,532.¹

While it’s not possible to control wild weather, there are some ways you can prepare and protect your home. Of course, if you find yourself facing a storm or incoming bushfire, the safety of you and your loved ones should be the number one priority – so follow the advice of emergency services and be ready to evacuate if needed.

Check your home insurance coverage

First things first – check that your Home and Contents Insurance is sorted and that you understand your coverage. Knowing things like the sum insured for your building and contents and which valuables are listed on your policy can help you avoid being underinsured.

Suncorp Home Insurance policies now automatically include Build it Back Better cover to help Aussies build more resilient homes.

With Build it Back Better, if your home is damaged by an insured event and the assessed repair or rebuild costs are more than $50,000 or 10% of your sum insured – whichever is higher – you’ll be offered additional recommended resilience options to help protect against severe weather. This could be up to $5,000 - $10,000 depending on your level of cover. Conditions apply. Read the PDS for the full details.

Get a Suncorp Home Insurance Quote

Preparing for wild weather

Cyclones

According to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, cyclone season is usually between 1 November to 30 April.² The hardest hit regions are north of Perth along WA and NT coasts, most of the QLD coast, and occasionally the far northern NSW coast. On average, cyclones occur about eight times a year – so it helps to know how to prepare before they make landfall.

Cyclones are characterised by strong winds and heavy rain. To help mitigate the risk of damage to your home ahead of cyclone season, consider taking the following steps:

• Make sure that the walls, roof and eaves of your home are secure.
• Trim treetops and branches clear of your home – but make sure to get council permission first.
• Fit shutters or metal screens to all glass areas.

For additional tips, check out our essential cyclone checklist.

Storms

Storms are a common occurrence in Australia, especially during summer. And while not usually as powerful as cyclones, storms can also lead to flash flooding, hail and lightning – which can cause significant damage to Aussie properties.

Preparing for a severe storm is similar to preparing for a cyclone:

• Clear your gutters and downpipes, and consider installing steel mesh gutter guards.
• Make sure your roof has no damaged or loose tiles, or raised corners of corrugated sheets.
• As the storm approaches, secure any outdoor items, such as furniture and pot plants, or take them inside if possible.

Check out our essential storm checklist for more tips.

Floods

Flooding is often the result of heavy rain, riverine flooding or movements of the sea following a storm surge. You may even experience flooding if you don’t live in a flood prone area – leaks from pipes or common household appliances can also cause water damage. However, not all insurance products cover for every cause of flooding, so be sure to check what your home is and isn’t covered for.

Here are some ways to prepare your home for a potential flood:

• Consider raising power outlets above previous flood levels.
• Keep poisons and chemicals in a high point in your home.
• Have sandbags on hand for covering indoor drains, which can stop sewage backwash.

Our essential flood checklist has some further tips to help you prepare.

Fires

While bushfires can be devastating for Aussie homes, they are integral to our landscape and many of our native plant life need them to regenerate.

Bushfires can happen at any time of the year. However, there are peak bushfire periods around the country depending on climate and weather conditions – such as spring to mid-summer for NSW and Southern QLD, and winter to spring for north WA and NT.

Consider these tips to protect your home from a fire:

• Keep your lawn short and backyard free from build-up of flammable materials.
• Consider purchasing a portable pump to use from your water tank or swimming pool.
• Think about installing ember guards on your roof and ember screens for your windows.

For additional ways to prepare, check out our essential bushfire checklist.

Earthquakes

You might be surprised to learn that hundreds of earthquakes occur beneath our feet every year. While most are too small to feel, Australia records at least one magnitude five earthquake each year – and such earthquakes are capable of causing damage to Aussie homes.

The location and time of earthquakes are difficult to predict – so it’s unlikely you’ll receive a warning before the earthquake strikes. But there are some general steps you can take to reduce the risk of damage:

• Secure freestanding furniture – such as bookshelves and filing cabinets – to the walls.
• Install latches on drawers and cabinet doors to stop contents from spilling out.
• Secure hot water tanks to nearby walls.

Build a wild weather emergency kit

A disaster – such as a fire or severe storm – may impact your access to power, gas, food and clean water. One way to prepare is to build a home emergency kit with essential items such as the following:

• Water – four litres per person per day and enough for several days.
• Non-perishable food items – such as protein bars and ready-to-eat canned fruit and veg – and a can opener.
• A battery powered radio and satellite phone – and plenty of spare batteries.
• A first aid kit, painkillers, diarrhea tablets and hydration supplements.
• Prescription medicine and prescription eyeglasses – if required.
• Personal hygiene products and feminine supplies.
• Reliable, warm clothing, blankets and sturdy footwear.
• Important documents – such as passports and birth certificates – kept in a waterproof, portable container.
• Emergency tools and equipment – like a plier, wrench and scissors.
• Flashlight and whistle for attracting attention.

In case you need to evacuate quickly, keep your home kit in a designated, easily accessible spot – such as a storage cupboard or bedroom close to the front door.
And don’t forget to regularly maintain and update your kit as your family’s needs change.

Plan for your pets

When building your home emergency kit, consider making one for your furry family members – pack them extra food, water and medications to last a week, and either a carrier or lead to keep them close. It’s also important they wear a collar with the correct information so they can find their way back to you.

What to do after wild weather

Once the weather has subsided and it’s safe to do so, assess the damage around your home. Take photos of the impacted areas, gather any supporting documents like receipts and valuation reports and make a claim online or via the Suncorp Insurance App as soon as possible. The sooner you lodge your claim, the sooner we can assist with your home’s repairs.

Weather in Australia may be unpredictable, but your home’s weather protection doesn’t need to be. Understand the level of risk you’re exposed to and take the necessary steps so your home has the best chance of handling it all – from high winds, to flooding and fire.

Make a Claim

Read more:

• Common causes of water damage
• Supporting customers through severe weather recovery
• Hazards and risks in the home

¹ Insurance Council of Australia
² Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Insurance issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 trading as Suncorp Insurance. Read the Product Disclosure Statement before buying this insurance. The Target Market Determination is also available.

This advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situations or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it.