How does mitigation relate to insurance?
Making your home stronger reduces the risk of damage. Over time, lower risk helps keep insurance affordable, for you and your community.
You upgrade
Less damage
Fewer claims
More affordable insurance
What is mitigation?
Mitigation means taking practical steps before a cyclone to reduce the damage it could do to your home. It can be as simple as regular maintenance and roof inspections, or bigger upgrades like cyclone shutters or strengthening how your roof is held down.
Think of it as an investment. A little work now means less damage, lower repair bills and stronger communities later.
Can mitigation affect
insurance premiums?
Some insurers may recognise eligible mitigation improvements when assessing cyclone risk.
This means that, depending on your insurer and circumstances, certain resilience measures may help reduce the cost of cyclone insurance.
Requirements and approaches vary between insurers, so homeowners should speak directly with their insurer to understand what mitigation measures may be recognised.
Even where premium reductions are not available, mitigation can help reduce damage and repair costs following a cyclone.
Examples of upgrades that may be recognised
- A full roof upgrade that ties the roof down to the walls
- Metal roof edges that are firmly fixed down
- A protective layer under roof tiles
- Permanent shutters or screens on all windows
- Upgraded garage and roller doors on older homes
- Gutter overflows
- Stronger external doors
How to get your upgrades recognised
Use a licensed builder
Get the work done to the right standard for your wind region.
Keep the evidence
Keep invoices, before and after photos and any certificates in one place.
Tell your insurer
Let them know what you’ve done, and ask whether it changes your premium.
Review at renewal
Compare policies, and check your sum insured still covers a full rebuild.
Common questions
Will upgrading my home lower my premium?
It may. Each insurer decides for itself. Either way, upgrades lower your risk of damage.
Do DIY jobs count?
Clearing the yard won’t usually change your premium, but it does protect your home. Structural work should be done by a licensed builder.
I rent. What can I do?
Tidy the yard, tie down loose items and insure your contents. Talk to your landlord or agent about repairs and upgrades.
I live in a unit or townhouse.
Raise cyclone upgrades with your body corporate, especially roofs, windows and garage doors.
What if I don’t have insurance?
Then you pay for any damage yourself, so a stronger home matters even more. Talk to an insurer or broker about your options.
How do I know when my home was built?
Check your council records, the contract of sale or a building inspection report. A builder can usually tell from the roof and floor framing.
Is my home in a cyclone region?
Enter your suburb or postcode in the Home Check to see your wind region. Your council or builder can confirm it for your address.
Do I need council approval for upgrades?
Some structural work needs approval and some does not. It depends on your state and the job, so ask your council or a licensed builder before you start.
How much does a full roof tie down cost?
It depends on the size and condition of your home. It costs much less when done during a reroof. Get two or three quotes from licensed builders.
Is there help to pay for upgrades?
Governments and councils sometimes offer grants for cyclone upgrades. Ask your state government or council if one is open in your area.
Does the Cyclone Reinsurance Pool cover my home?
The Pool works behind the scenes with insurers, so you do not deal with it directly. Ask your insurer whether your policy is covered.
Who can do the work?
Use a licensed builder and check their licence with your state building regulator. In Region D, or for unusual homes, have an engineer design the upgrade.
What should I give my insurer?
Invoices, before and after photos and any certificates from your builder. Keep them together and mention them at renewal.