Summer weather can bring added risks for homes across WA, particularly in areas exposed to bushfire and other severe conditions.
Planning ahead can help you get your home prepared and is also an important time to consider whether your home insurance arrangements still reflect your circumstances.
Here are some four practical tips to consider as summer approaches.
1. Preparation around your home
Before summer arrives, consider whether there are maintenance or preparedness tasks around your home that might need attention.
These may include:
- reviewing your household emergency plan
- clearing gutters, roofs and surrounding vegetation
- trimming overhanging trees and removing excess garden debris
- checking that emergency equipment is accessible and in working order
- ensuring household members understand emergency plans and contact information is updated.
If you live in a bushfire-prone area, you may like to consider the risks relevant to your home and location and refer to current advice from reputable emergency authorities.
2. Keep a record of important belongings
Consider taking photographs or videos of valuable items around your home and retaining relevant receipts, serial number, valuations and other documentation where available. Keeping copies of important records electronically may also make them easier to access and minimise misplacement.
Items you may like to consider when collating your records might include:
- jewellery and watches
- artwork and collectibles
- sporting equipment
- electronics and appliances
- outdoor furniture and equipment.
Having an up-to-date record of significant household belongings can make important information easier to locate should you ever need to make an insurance claim.
3. Consider what’s changed around your home
Summer can also provide a useful prompt to think about whether your property or circumstances have changed since you last reviewed your insurance arrangements.
Changes might include:
- renovations or extensions
- installing a pool, shed or solar system
- significant purchases for your home
- landscaping improvements
- changes in how the property is occupied or used.
If your circumstances have changed, you can speak with your insurance broker to understand whether those changes may be relevant to your existing insurance arrangements.
4. Review your insurance arrangements
An insurance review is an opportunity to discuss your circumstances with your broker and consider whether anything has changed since your existing arrangements were put in place.
Your broker can help you understand your current arrangements and discuss the insurance options available based on your individual circumstances.
