How to make your property more resilient
Australia is no stranger to extreme weather events, from floods and storm damage in winter to bushfires during the warmer months.
Taking steps to make your property more resilient can help to reduce your risk of significant loss should a severe weather event happen in your area.
What are some ways I can make my property more resilient?
OneHouse is a building resilience project developed by Suncorp in conjunction with the CSIRO to help individuals better manage the risk of damage from severe weather events. OneHouse is a prototype home that is resistent to fire, flood and cyclones - catastophic weather conditions that commonly impact homes. Many of the findings and recommendations can also be applied to commercial properties of the same construction.
When conducting property renovations, OneHouse recommends considering the following:
- Installing fixed and operable high-performance mesh screens to slow down flame spread during a bushfire
- Cyclone-rated roof fixings that are more likely to withstand extreme weather events with strong winds
- PVC plastic gutter fixings. These gutters safely fall away from the premises during a fire, helping to protect them from embers and making it less likely that embers will enter any gutter-fed water supply
To safeguard a new build, OneHouse recommends:
- Installing electrical wiring in the roof to prevent loss of power during a flood
- Installing power points and switches at least one metre above floor level to reduce the risk of electrical issues during flooding
- Installing glazed windows and doors, which stops water coming into the building, reduces the risk of cracking, and evenly distributes heat over the glass
How Coverforce can help
Don't wait for a natural disaster to happen to realise you don't have the cover you need in place. Our team of brokers can help assess your risks and provide personalised advice on the right insurance program to protect your business and assets.
In the event of a claim, we are on hand to provide advice and minimise disruption to your business. Our highly experienced claims team will work with the insurer on your behalf to ensure you receive your full entitlement without undue delay.
For more information or to arrange cover, please contact your local Coverforce Office.
The information provided in this article is of a general nature only and has been prepared without taking into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. If you require advice that is tailored to your specific business or individual circumstances, please contact Coverforce directly.
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