NSW Flood Inquiry calls for relocation: Is it time to revisit your home insurance?
Recent inquiry into the devastating floods across NSW and QLD has shown that the best option for the highest risk areas may, in fact, be relocation.
Extreme weather events are becoming increasingly more common in Australia, particularly with the worsening impacts of climate change. Independent inquiry into recent flooding has shown that areas of NSW are unable to support further development, with a focus to be on land buy-backs and better emergency responses.
In the report, the current lack of preparedness around floods is emphasised. With a “minimal ability to predict floods”, the recommendations are for more investment into climate modelling and weather research. Along with this, better education on flooding and flood response is needed across the public and emergency response teams.
It also underscores the need to prioritise development in safer areas, moving away from badly affected areas like Lismore with reasonable urgency. While the inquiry mentions buy-backs and relocations, it is unclear right now who will be eligible for the measures mentioned in the report.
State premier Dominic Perrottet has committed to adopting all of the recommendations in the report, either immediately or over the course of time.
Predicted to enter a third consecutive period of wet-weather bringing La Niña, it’s all the more important that you go in prepared.
What does this mean for me - and my home insurance?
While keeping your home insured against floods is not a new topic, news of worsening flood activity could spell serious trouble for homeowners in affected areas. As dramatic weather events continue at every end of the spectrum, these areas may also begin to expand beyond their current reach.
It’s important to read the product disclosure statement (PDS) of your home insurance policy to find out what the approach is to flooding. This may be subject to change if you ignore specific government advice to evacuate.
Insurance is likely to become more and more expensive in areas continually impacted by dramatic weather events. While you can still get insurance in areas prone to flooding, certain areas are likely to become uninsurable by 2030.
Renters may also be in a sticky situation when it comes to flood insurance. Most of the responsibility for the habitability of a property comes down to the landlord, but home contents are something to bear in mind as these can be severely damaged in floods.
Right now, the key to staying protected in the face of rising weather unpredictability is paying attention to government recommendations and being aware of the risks your home could be up against.
Want to insure your home against worst case scenarios? Check out Mozo’s best home insurance.
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Home Insurance
Get covered in just 3 minutes. Receive complimentary $250 smart home sensors to help alert you to avoidable mishaps like fire, theft & water damage. Get rewarded for being smarter, by keeping your sensors active, with a discount of up to 8% every year (T&C’s apply).
- Main events covered
Fire
Theft
Storm
Flood
- Monthly payments
cost extra
- No
- Underinsurance protection
- No
- New for old
replacement
- Yes
- General contents
- No
- Cash
- No
- Cd dvd and electronic files
- No
- Computer software hardware
- No
- Camera and accessories
- No
- Carpets
- No
- Antiques and valuables
- No
- Jewellery
- No
- Replacement of documents
- No
- Tools of trade
- No
- Contents while moving
- No
- Lock replacement
- Up to $1,000
- Temporary accommodation
- Up to 12 months, up to 10% of sum insured
- Debris removal
- Up to 20% of sum insured combined with demolition cost
- Demolition cost
- Up to 20% of sum insured combined with debris removal cost
- Accidental loss and damage
- Optional Extra
- Accidental breakage of glass
- Yes
- Lightning
- Yes
- Earthquake
- Yes
- Storm surge
- Yes
- Buildings and structural improvements
- Yes
- Building materials
- No
- Landscaping
- Up to $1,000 for plants
- Gates and fences
- Yes - Up to 50% of the total cost, up to 2km
Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about honey Home Insurance
Home Cover - Buildings
QBE Home and Contents Insurance can cover your property and belongings in case of fire, storm damage, theft and more. 24/7 friendly and helpful claims service. Up to $30 million legal liability cover. Temporary accommodation costs for up to two years if your home isn’t liveable.
- Main events covered
- Fire
- Theft
- Storm
- Flood
- Monthly payments
cost extra - Yes
- Underinsurance protection
- Optional ExtraUp To 30% Of Buildings Sum Insured, Applied Automatically For Eligible Policies
- New for old
replacement - Yes
- General contents
- No
- Cash
- No
- Cd dvd and electronic files
- No
- Computer software hardware
- No
- Camera and accessories
- No
- Carpets
- No
- Antiques and valuables
- No
- Jewellery
- No
- Replacement of documents
- No
- Tools of trade
- No
- Contents while moving
- No
- Lock replacement
- Up to $2,500
- Temporary accommodation
- Up to 24 months, up to 20% of sum insured combined with temporary accommodation for pets
- Debris removal
- Yes, combined with building costs
- Demolition cost
- Yes, combined with building costs
- Accidental loss and damage
- Optional Extra
- Accidental breakage of glass
- Yes
- Lightning
- Yes
- Earthquake
- Yes
- Storm surge
- Yes
- Buildings and structural improvements
- Yes
- Building materials
- Up to $2,000
- Landscaping
- No
- Gates and fences
- Yes
Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about QBE Home Cover - Buildings
Home Insurance
Fixing a building when something’s gone wrong can be expensive, so it might be a good idea to get cover that’s right for you and protect your valuable asset. Youi is building insurance that’s a bit more you-shaped.. Mozo People’s Choice Excellent Customer Service Home Insurance award winner in 2022
- Main events covered
- Fire
- Theft
- Storm
- Flood
- Monthly payments
cost extra - Yes
- Underinsurance protection
- No
- New for old
replacement - Yes
- General contents
- No
- Cash
- No
- Cd dvd and electronic files
- No
- Computer software hardware
- No
- Camera and accessories
- No
- Carpets
- No
- Antiques and valuables
- No
- Jewellery
- No
- Replacement of documents
- No
- Tools of trade
- No
- Contents while moving
- No
- Lock replacement
- Up to $1,000
- Temporary accommodation
- Up to 12 months, up to 12% of sum insured
- Debris removal
- Up to 20% of sum insured combined with demolition and professional fee costs.
- Demolition cost
- Up to 20% of sum insured combined with debris removal and professional fee costs
- Accidental loss and damage
- Optional Extra
- Accidental breakage of glass
- Yes
- Lightning
- Yes
- Earthquake
- Yes
- Storm surge
- No
- Buildings and structural improvements
- Yes
- Building materials
- Up to $1,000
- Landscaping
- No
- Gates and fences
- Yes
Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about Youi Home Insurance
Home Insurance
- Main events covered
- Fire
- Theft
- Storm
- FloodOptional Extra
- Monthly payments
cost extra - Yes
- Underinsurance protection
- Optional ExtraUp To 25% Of Building Sum Insured
- New for old
replacement - Yes
- General contents
- No
- Cash
- No
- Cd dvd and electronic files
- No
- Computer software hardware
- No
- Camera and accessories
- No
- Carpets
- No
- Antiques and valuables
- No
- Jewellery
- No
- Replacement of documents
- No
- Tools of trade
- No
- Contents while moving
- No
- Lock replacement
- No
- Temporary accommodation
- Up to 10% of sum insured, up to 12 months. Combined with temporary accommodation for pets.
- Debris removal
- Up to 10% of sum insured combined with demolition cost
- Demolition cost
- Up to 10% of sum insured combined with debris removal cost
- Accidental loss and damage
- Optional Extra
- Accidental breakage of glass
- Yes
- Lightning
- Yes
- Earthquake
- Yes
- Storm surge
- No
- Buildings and structural improvements
- Yes
- Building materials
- Up to $1,000
- Landscaping
- No
- Gates and fences
- Yes
Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about Virgin Money Home Insurance
Home Insurance
Save 15% on a new Gold Home Insurance policy when you buy online Protect your most valuable assets with quality cover from a name you can trust. Our home insurance offers peace of mind at an affordable price
- Main events covered
- Fire
- Theft
- Storm
- Flood
- Monthly payments
cost extra - Yes
- Underinsurance protection
- Optional ExtraUp To 30% Of Building Sum Insured
- New for old
replacement - Yes
- General contents
- No
- Cash
- No
- Cd dvd and electronic files
- Up to $1,000
- Computer software hardware
- Up to $1,000
- Camera and accessories
- No
- Carpets
- Yes
- Antiques and valuables
- No
- Jewellery
- No
- Replacement of documents
- No
- Tools of trade
- No
- Contents while moving
- No
- Lock replacement
- Up to $2,500
- Temporary accommodation
- Up to 24 months, up to 20% of sum insured combined with temporary accommodation for pets
- Debris removal
- Yes
- Demolition cost
- Yes
- Accidental loss and damage
- Optional Extra
- Accidental breakage of glass
- Yes
- Lightning
- Yes
- Earthquake
- Yes
- Storm surge
- Yes
- Buildings and structural improvements
- Yes
- Building materials
- Up to $2,000
- Landscaping
- Yes - pathways
- Gates and fences
- Yes
Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about Australia Post Home Insurance
* Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
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