NRMA Insurance has recently released data which illustrates the scale of destruction and widespread impact of storms across NSW, highlighting the need to prepare for the storm season.
According to the state’s leading general insurer, storm damage accounted for 60 per cent of its home insurance claims in 2015-16, for which it paid out over $185 million, as well as for over 85 per cent of NSW home claims in June,
The Sydney Morning Herald reported.
According to NRMA data, most home insurance claims in NSW came from the following regions:
- Gosford-Wyong
- The Hunter
- Illawarra
- Central North Sydney (Baulkham Hills, Hornsby)
- North Western Sydney (Blacktown, Penrith)
- St George Sutherland
- Northern Beaches
- Fairfield-Liverpool
- South Western Sydney (Cambelltown, Camden)
- Mid-North Coast (Coffs Harbour, Taree, Kempsey)
Meanwhile, the following suburbs were the most storm-affected in Sydney:
- Kurnell
- Quakers Hill
- Baulkham Hills
- Castle Hill
- St Ives
- Greystanes
- Chipping Norton
- Maroubra
- Wahroonga
- Mosman
NRMA Insurance and the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) are urging residents to prepare for the storm season, using simple tips found on the
Stormsafe website, the report said.
Ramana James, head of shared value for NRMA Insurance, said: "Little acts can make a big difference in severe weather. Even things like cleaning your gutters and trimming your branches and securing any loose outdoor items can really help reduce damage if bad weather hits."
James said that for the past three years, storms had been the leading cause of home insurance claims in NSW. This may not come as a surprise though given that only one in four people had taken action to prepare their home for storm season according to a national survey by NRMA Insurance.
Furthermore, 77 per cent were found not to have an emergency kit ready and 72 per cent had no emergency plan in the event of a storm or flood. Almost half of respondents also had not checked their insurance cover in the past 12 months,
SMH reported.
Greg Newton, acting commissioner of the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) said SES volunteers responded to over 19,000 storm-related calls for assistance last season but "many of these could have been prevented if residents were better prepared and had an emergency plan in place,"
SMH reported.
"Getting ready for storm season now will help to limit the amount of damage and injury suffered in storms," Newton said.
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