Be weather ready this summer during La Niña

22 December 2020

Last year was an extremely challenging summer for all Australians with both bushfires and drought. Australian total rainfall for 2019–20 was 24% below average¹, the sixth-driest on record.

But did you know that storms and floods over the same period caused over $3 billion in damage and gave rise to more than 250,000 insurance claims?² This summer, the Bureau of Meteorology has officially declared a La Niña event that is likely to bring an increased risk of storms, cyclones and flooding to some parts of the country. 

We want to help you understand the extreme weather predicted for this summer, what it means for you, and how to go about taking precautions to prepare for it.  

What is La Niña?

La Niña is a natural phase of Australia’s weather cycle that warms the waters off Australia’s north coast, increasing cloud development and rainfall³. This increases the chance of hail, storms and associated flooding through the warmer months of the year across central, eastern and northern Australia.

A La Niña event is also likely to increase the number of cyclones we experience and bring forward the start of the cyclone season in the north of the country.

How you can prepare for La Niña

Living in Australia we know how quickly sunny skies can turn to storm clouds. No matter where you are ‒ from regional, rural and remote Australia to our metropolitan areas ‒ it’s important to be ready for extreme weather. 

Some general tips to prepare for extreme weather, if it's safe to do so, include: 

• Draw up a Home Emergency Plan and put together an “Emergency Pack” including tinned food, water, first-aid kit, warm clothing, and a torch.
• Pack away loose items in your backyard.
• Gather sentimental, important and valuable items, documents and photos that you can take with you should you need to evacuate.
• Make sure you know what your insurance covers and that the sum for which you are insured covers the replacement value of what you would like to insure⁶.

For more tips on preparing your home, or business, for a bushfire, sever storm, flood or cyclone, visit the Allianz Weather Support Hub.

We’re here to help

We’re ready to help you face the challenges of this summer. Our partners at Allianz are working closely with the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) to ensure that they have staff in all states. Allianz’s assessors are ready, and their team is prepared to respond to your questions and claims quickly.

Allianz is also offering alternative accommodation for Home Insurance customers for up to 12 months if their home is made unliveable because of events such as a storm or a fire^6,7 and our Comprehensive Car Insurance covers any accidental vehicle damage as a result of flood, storm or hail – please note that waiting periods may apply⁶.

Getting your cover weather-ready

 Here are some tips to help you review your insurance and get weather-ready: 

• Know what you’re covered for: Ensure that your insurance is up to date and relevant to your current circumstances. Make sure you have the right cover for your circumstances.
• Review your sum insured: Review the sum for which you are insured, checking that it covers the replacement value of what you would like to insure⁶.
• Check that your payments are up to date: Check that your premiums are paid to make sure there are no interruptions to your cover. 

Be ready to lodge a claim

There are a few simple things you can do before you claim to make this process easier during what can be a very stressful time:

• Take photos of your belongings: While it’s easy to forget, keeping photographic evidence of your belongings and any receipts for purchases made will be help with your claim.
• Make an inventory: Making a full inventory list isn’t necessary  for your claim, but it will generally be helpful.
• Be prepared for extreme weather: You can also prepare your premises for extreme weather using the tips

How to lodge a claim   

If your property or motor vehicles have been damaged by cyclones, flooding, storms or bushfires, we will be ready to help you. You can contact Allianz using any of the following methods:

• Claim online for faster service
• Call Allianz on 13 10 13
• Advise Allianz of additional needs during lodgement

If you would like to discuss your insurance needs, contact Heritage on 13 14 22 or learn more about our Insurance products online today. For more information visit the Allianz Weather Support hub.

References: 

1. Bureau of Meteorology, ‘Climate of the 2019-2020 financial year’

2. Insurance Industry data inclusive of Allianz Australia losses.

3. Bureau of Meteorology, ‘What is La Niña and how does it impact Australia?’.

4. ABC ‘How La Niña will impact Australia’ .

5. All tips are general in nature and do not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs.

6. Please note a 72 hour exclusion period may apply for loss of or damage caused by cyclone, flood, grassfires and bushfires after you first take out or increase the cover under the policy. Please refer to your PDS for full details, terms, and conditions.

7. Eligibility criteria, limits and exclusions may apply. Please refer to your PDS for Terms and Conditions.