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Severe storms cause property damage for 16% of Aussies in summer 2024-25

NRMA Insurance

New research from NRMA Insurance has found 16% of Australians experienced wild weather damage to their home or vehicle over the 2024-25 summer season. Despite high concern about the increased risk of extreme weather, 40% of people feel unprepared to respond to a severe weather event.

The latest edition of the NRMA Insurance Wild Weather Tracker revealed 39% of Australians experienced wild weather that hit with little or no warning last season, highlighting the importance of taking steps to understand your local weather risks and being prepared for the unexpected all year round.

NRMA Insurance received more than 18,100 claims for wild weather damage throughout summer for weather events as varied as severe storms across New South Wales, flooding in Far North Queensland and hailstorms in the ACT. This was followed by the arrival of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred at the beginning of autumn, causing widespread damage across two states and around 95,000 claims across the insurance industry.

As central Queensland communities are impacted by significant rainfall and flooding this week, Executive General Manager Retail Claims Luke Gallagher said weather in Australia is becoming more extreme and it’s increasingly important for households and communities to  prepare for wild weather – with or without advanced warning.

“During summer we saw hailstorms and wind squalls strike suddenly, with as little as 30 minutes warning, and cause significant damage because it caught people unprepared,” Mr Gallagher said.

Of the 16% of Australians who experienced wild weather damage over summer, NRMA Insurance found 8% experienced damage to their home, 6% experienced damage to their vehicle, and an unlucky 2% experienced both.

“It’s the small, everyday preparedness actions that can help protect your home from significant damage when wild weather arrives suddenly. Our research shows 31% of Aussies do not  ensure their windows are closed before they go out, and only 35% of people who have outdoor furniture have ever tied it down,” Mr Gallagher said.

“Creating an emergency plan is a critical step in building household resilience and preparing for the threat of severe weather. Fewer than 40% of households reported having a severe weather emergency plan in place during summer. We would encourage all Australians to prioritise creating an emergency plan”.

NRMA Insurance partners with Australian Red Cross to bring free Australian Red Cross EmergencyRedi™ workshops to communities across the country, helping thousands of Australians to know their local risks and get prepared to respond to extreme weather emergencies.

Visit Help Nation to register for Australian Red Cross EmergencyRedi™ Workshops, learn more about how to prepare for wild weather, and to download the latest NRMA Insurance Wild Weather Tracker.

Update on IAG response to Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred

IAG, whose brands include NRMA Insurance, CGU, WFI and ROLLiN’, has Major Event Specialist teams on the ground continuing to provide face to face support and progressing repairs for customers and communities in South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

To date IAG has received approximately 10,000 claims across its brands. Most of the claims lodged are for property damage due to severe winds, fallen trees impacting properties and intense rainwater entering homes through roofs and around window frames.

IAG’s claims personnel are available at five locations across South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales, including two NRMA Insurance popup hubs, that have been established to support customers in those areas most impacted.

For further information and updates visit the IAG Newsroom

6 steps to prepare in advance for unexpected wild weather

• Make an emergency plan – Utilise the Australian Red Cross ‘Get Prepared’ app to help you best respond to wild weather by ensuring important decisions are made ahead of time.
• Close windows and doors - Water entering homes is one of the leading causes of property damage. If there’s any chance of rain, makes sure all windows and doors are closed before you go out.
• Keep your car under cover - Many cars are damaged in outdoor carparks, near train and bus stations, and at shopping centres. If you know there is a chance of hail, try to catch public transport instead of driving and keep your car undercover to avoid hail damage.
• Secure or move outdoor furniture or loose items in your yard - Keep rope  somewhere handy to quickly secure outdoor items when strong winds are headed in your direction.
• Make sure your pet is safe - If your pet is outside, make sure there’s somewhere dry and safe for them to shelter if wild weather strikes.
• Know your neighbours - Having someone you can contact to check on things for you is key to peace of mind. Consider setting up a neighbour group chat so you can help each other out.

Key Facts:

65% of Australians are more aware / concerned about being impacted by wild weather due to recent severe weather events in Australia

About us:

About the Wild Weather Tracker

The NRMA Insurance Wild Weather Tracker monitors severe weather claims across New South Wales, Queensland, the ACT, South Australia, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Tasmania and is released after every season to encourage people to take regular steps to protect
their homes, properties, vehicles and communities. Online research of 3,506 people nationally (1,109 NSW, 697 QLD, 901 Vic, 367 WA, 255 SA, 68 Tas, 31 NT and 78 ACT residents) was conducted on behalf of NRMA Insurance by Pureprofile in February 2025.

About NRMA Insurance: A Help Company

NRMA Insurance is Australia’s most trusted insurance brand1, helping more than 3 million Australians protect what matters.

Help has been at the heart of NRMA Insurance since its beginnings in 1925 as a member-only company that provided motor insurance policies to the first drivers in NSW. NRMA Insurance has grown to become a national brand that helps people protect their cars, homes and businesses. It has
a proud history of working with communities to build their resilience against extreme weather and keep people safer on the road. NRMA Insurance helps Australians understand their local risks and prepare for extreme weather through its Help Nation initiative.

NRMA Insurance is backed by IAG, Australia and New Zealand’s largest general insurer.
1Roy Morgan Most Trusted Brands 2024