Severe weather

• Understand your insurance cover
  Ensure your insurance is up to date, check your premiums are paid, and confirm the sum for which you’re insured, covers the replacement value of your property and belongings you’d like to insure.
  
  Read your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to ensure you are aware of any policy requirements and learn more about your cover. Please also refer to your Certificate of Insurance to check your level of cover and any optional covers you have selected.
  
  
• Review state emergency service recommendations
  Visit your state emergency service website, or contact them on 132 500 to review their recommendations. You can also confirm, any local warnings, your local emergency broadcasters and the support available to you and your community.
  
  
• Create an emergency plan
  Your state emergency service provides recommendations on how to build these plans and which resources can further assist you in this task.
  
  
• Create an emergency kit
  State emergency services recommend the following in a basic emergency kit:
  • Radio (battery-powered)
  • Torches
  • A supply of batteries (multiple sizes)
  • Device chargers (solar-powered and standard)
  • Mobile phone
  • Food - basic staples that don't require heating or cooling
  • Bottled water
  • Warm, waterproof clothing and comfortable shoes
  • Spare medication, prescriptions
  • A first aid kit
  • Pet essentials
  • Cash and a printed copy of your emergency plan

• Make sure you and your loved ones are safe
  Put everyone’s safety first. If you need emergency assistance, call 000 or your local state emergency service on 132 500.
  
  
• Make sure your property is safe and you're able to return home before doing so
  If you're unsure whether it's safe to return, seek permission from emergency services to go back inside your property. Don't use electrical items if there is any chance they may have been affected by water in any way - ensure you have them, and any gas appliances, professionally tested as soon as possible.
  
  
• Check for damage to your property and/or car
  Inspect your property or vehicle if safe to do so. Take photos or videos of the damage. You can dispose of damaged contents.

• You can lodge a claim online by contacting your insurance provider directly.
   
• Include photos or videos to help establish the extent of the damage.
  
  
• We will work with you to assess the damage and prepare a list of work required. We'll also work to appoint a supplier if needed.

Make a list

• Take photos or videos and make a list of all damaged contents and if safe to do so, you can dispose of them.
• Keep a sample of any damaged flooring to help identify an appropriate replacement (where covered).
• Don't turn on electrical items that have been submerged in water or affected by water in any way.

When: As soon as it’s safe to do so.

Secure your home

• Do what you can to secure your home. We'll organise emergency repairs to secure your home if needed.
• Securing your home may include turning off power if impacted by the severe weather.
• Securing your home will be a temporary measure as we assess what needs to be repaired.
• When your home is insured and a claim for loss or damage is covered under the policy, and you cannot safely reside in your home because of loss or damage caused, we will pay for reasonable temporary accommodation costs. Let us know before incurring any costs so we can agree the cover applies and that costs are reasonable.

When: Within approximately 48 hours of lodging your claim.

Determine the repairs

• Once your home is dry or made safe, our nominated builder will come to your home to determine the extent of damage and repairs required.
• We'll talk to you about the repairs required and timeframe it will take to repair your home, or any replacement of contents if required.

When: Within approximately 5 business days after your home has been dried or made safe.

Repairs commence

• Once repairs commence, we'll keep you updated on the progress of repairs.

When: As soon as practically possible, following agreement of repairs and building contract.

NSW State Emergency Service

Victoria State Emergency Service

Queensland State Emergency Service

South Australia State Emergency Service

Western Australia Department of Fire & Emergency Services

Tasmania State Emergency Service

Help in an Emergency – Department of Human Services

Emergency Relief Services – Department of Social Services