Consumers can use HardenUp to research their suburb’s severe weather history as well as the latest climate data and projections, with the aim of encouraging more Queenslanders to become more self-reliant during major weather events.
The Executive Director and CEO of the ICA, Rob Whelan congratulated Green Cross Australia and said that the ICA would continue to support initiatives that improve natural disaster preparedness.
“The first step in being more prepared is to understand the risks of extreme weather and what an individual householder can do in practical terms to be resilient to those risks,” Mr Whelan said.
“We saw during the Queensland and Victorian floods that many homeowners were not fully aware of the real risks of extreme weather to their own property.
“Knowing that your property is vulnerable leads to better decisions around maintenance of the property, selection of building materials, insurance and having an emergency plan ready to go."
The ICA has repeatedly called for better disclosure of risks to the community and improved regulation around the buildings in zones impacted by extreme weather.
Private initiatives such as HardenUp, provide a useful resource for the community to explore some of these issues and how their own property may be exposed.
“All consumers in high risk areas should make sure their insurance is in order as we come into the storm season,” Mr Whelan said.
“If consumers have any concerns they should read their policies, check their exclusions, ensure any special items are covered under standard policies and if ever unsure, call their insurer and clarify any issues.”
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