This fact sheet is one of a series that looks at the steps you can take to give yourself the best chance of fixing or replacing your property and belongings if they're damaged or destroyed in a natural disaster, such as a bushfire, flood or storm.
See Fact Sheet 18: Glossary for definitions of words and terms that are in bold text.
To find other fact sheets in the series go to www.InsuranceCheckup.tas.gov.au.
About bushfires
Most bushfires in Tasmania occur during mild summer weather and can be controlled by firefighters. However, bushfires that break out on very hot, dry and windy days (at any time of the year) can spread rapidly and may be difficult or impossible to control. These fires can burn large areas of forest and farmland, destroy homes and livestock, and sometimes kill and injure people.
Depending on where you live, you may have an increased risk of losing or damaging your home and/or belongings if a bushfire comes your way.
Below are some things to think about before you buy an insurance policy or when you are reviewing your existing policy.
Thinking about the risk of bushfire
If you live in or near the bush, your home is at risk from bushfire. Bush includes bushland, scrub, grassland, farmland, heath, marram grass and buttongrass (see Fact Sheet 3: Risk and natural disasters).
There are a few ways you can find out if you are in a bushfire-prone area:
- If you already have insurance, you can ask your insurer about your risk from natural disasters.
- Use a tool like the Tasmanian Government's RiskReady website (www.alert.tas.gov.au/riskready), which shows the potential risk to your address from bushfire, landslide, and coastal erosion and inundation.
- Some local councils may have information about natural disaster risks in your area. Check the Tasmanian Councils page on the Local Government Association of Tasmania's website at www.lgat.tas.gov.au or phone 03 6146 3740 to find out which council area you live in and its contact details.
If you are in a bushfire-prone area, you may want to get a professional risk assessment and a Bushfire Hazard Management Plan. Tasmania Fire Service provides a list of accredited Bushfire Hazard Practitioners who can prepare and certify plans, including calculating a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) for your home. This will take into account any required building standards that might apply if you had to rebuild your home (e.g. after a bushfire) and any extra costs you should factor in when buying or updating your insurance. Check the Building for Bushfire brochure on the Tasmania Fire Service website at www.fire.tas.gov.au or phone 1800 000 699.
Tasmania Fire Service has a variety of community safety programs that may help you with managing your risk. Some of these programs include Bushfire-Ready Neighbourhoods, Community Protection Plans and fuel reduction burning. Visit www.bushfirereadyneighbourhoods.tas.gov.au for more information.
Tips for finding the right bushfire insurance
When you are looking at a particular insurance policy, read the Key Facts Sheet and Product Disclosure Statement to find out if bushfire is covered. Ask the insurer as many questions as you need to in order to understand exactly what is included (inclusions) and not included (exclusions) under the policy (see Fact Sheet 13: Finding and comparing insurers and insurance policies).
Check whether the policy covers loss or damage where no flame damage has happened, such as scorching, melting, heat, smoke, ash or soot.
When you're assessing or reassessing the value of your home and contents, also assess your vehicles, any outbuildings and items stored on your property, and take them into account when you're working out what level of cover you need.
Check whether there are particular clauses you need to be aware of that could affect the outcome of any claim you make; for example, many policies require you to take all reasonable precautions:
- for the safety and protection of your property
- to prevent injury or damage to your property
- to make sure you are meeting any obligations you have under government laws or regulations.
Under these types of clauses, you are expected to take reasonable action to prevent loss of your property (you only need to take 'reasonable' action – don't risk your health or safety).
One example of the kind of action you might take is clearing your gutters to reduce the risk of leaves catching fire from embers. For advice on preparing your property, you can contact Tasmania Fire Service through their website at www.fire.tas.gov.au or phone 1800 000 699.
Another example is making sure that, if you are building a home, you meet the requirements of the Building Code of Australia, which includes standards relating to the construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas. This may include making sure you allow for vehicle access to your property and having a dedicated water supply which can be used for firefighting purposes during a bushfire. Check the Building for Bushfire brochure page on the Tasmania Fire Service website at www.fire.tas.gov.au or phone 1800 000 699 for more information.
Resources
For general information, and for calculators and other tools to help you manage your own insurance:
- Understand Insurance: www.understandinsurance.com.au
- Find an Insurer: www.findaninsurer.com.au
- Money Smart: www.moneysmart.gov.au
Important notice
This fact sheet gives you basic and general information only. It does not cover every situation or everything you may need to know about insurance. It does not take into account your personal circumstances. Make sure you carefully read Key Facts Sheets and Product Disclosure Statements. Ask your insurer as many questions as you need in order to understand how your insurance policy will work for you. Use other tools available to you and seek professional advice if needed.
Information in these fact sheets has been drawn from a number of publicly available Government and non-Government resources.
This project has been jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Tasmanian Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.