New research has found that the majority of Australian homeowners are not conducting regular home maintenance checks, a trend that insurers warn could heighten exposure to costly damage, especially amid rising weather-related events.
A survey commissioned by Allianz Australia showed that 84% of homeowners are not inspecting their properties as often as recommended. Only 16% said they perform checks every quarter, while 13% admitted they inspect only when problems arise – or not at all.
Allianz advises monthly checks to help reduce the risk of preventable issues, such as water damage. Over the past two years, insurers have received claims totalling $864 million due to burst pipes alone, according to Insurance Statistics Australia (ISA).
Despite the financial risk, Allianz’s data revealed that only 26% of respondents carry out annual inspections, and many are forgoing preventative action due to time constraints, costs, or lack of knowledge.
The insurer highlighted key deterrents to maintenance: 36% of surveyed homeowners cited lack of skills, while 32% pointed to cost. Still, 63% attempt repairs themselves without professional input.
This is despite weather risks amplifying the need for maintenance. Latest data from NRMA Insurance’s Wild Weather Tracker found that 1 in 6 Australians experienced property or car damage during the recent summer, with 39% encountering unexpected weather conditions and 40% feeling unprepared. NRMA processed over 18,100 weather-related claims across the season.
Events such as hailstorms in the ACT, severe storms across New South Wales, and flooding in Far North Queensland contributed to the total. The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) reported over 95,000 weather-related insurance claims for the summer period.
The campaign aims to guide homeowners through basic maintenance tasks using demonstrations at the homes of radio host Michael “Wippa” Wipfli and comedian Tanya Hennessy.
The series, released fortnightly on Allianz’s website, includes tips on inspecting household elements such as flexi hoses, gutters, and bathroom seals.
Commenting on the initiative, Cam said that small maintenance tasks are often overlooked.
“If I weren’t in this industry, I probably wouldn’t realise how much damage a rusty flexi hose or clogged gutter can cause. But since I do, I know that ignoring these small maintenance tasks can lead to big issues for your home and your wallet,” he said.
Allianz consumer division head Shez Ford noted that small, proactive steps could help avoid long-term complications.
“We understand that homeowners have a lot on their plates, but quick, frequent checks could prevent future complications. And who better to remind us of these small routine checks than our trusted host and handyman, Scotty Cam,” she said.
The “How’s Your House” series is accessible through the Allianz Blue Eagle website and will run throughout the coming months, offering simple guidance on areas such as plumbing, roofing, drainage, and indoor safety.
“With Allianz’s Blue Eagle initiative, we’re spreading awareness and sharing easy, actionable tips to encourage everyone to take a few minutes to do these small checks and prevent future problems,” Cam said.
