Wild Weather Tracker May 2024

Climate now a housing issue: research reveals a whopping 90% want flood info when buying

In a new nationwide survey commissioned by AMI, State and NZI Insurance, 86% of New Zealanders responded that they would now consider climate risk when choosing a home, compared to 55% only two years ago. The research also showed that house hunters rank weather and natural disaster risk as the second most important factor overall when looking to rent or buy, after price.

Six-month weather snapshot

In the last six months, we recorded nine significant storms resulting in 6,712 claims. 

Note: We categorise ‘events’ as a storm that incurs over $1 million in claims costs.

Canterbury lodged 37% of all weather-related claims over the period, followed by Wellington at 19%, Auckland at 9%, and Otago at 6%. House claims accounted for 62% of all weather-related claims, followed by contents at 14% and motor vehicles at 9%. Commercial claims made up 14% of all weather-related claims.

Insurance: The bigger picture

Insurance is a contract that helps to protect people from financial loss when things go wrong. However, it also plays a wider, important role in the proper functioning of our communities. Below is a simple view of how it works, and the benefits that a highly insured population brings to all of us.

Please note: The information presented in this graphic is of a general nature only, for an average New Zealand house insurance policy.

Wild weather and the housing market

We engaged an independent market research agency to survey New Zealanders on some key topics related to wild weather and how it may or may not be impacting their decisions on where to live. The survey found that growing weather risk, in addition to exposure to natural hazards, is becoming increasingly important to New Zealanders.

Just over half of our respondents thought they knew how to find out about a property’s potential to be impacted by weather risks. However, an overwhelming 90% of people wanted to know more about potential natural hazards. In the video below, Wayne Tippet explains ways New Zealanders can access information about their home or community’s natural hazard risk. 

Research your natural hazard risk

Preparing for wild weather

Clear gutters and drains regularly.

Prune trees and shrubs.

Secure any lose items around the property.

Fit seals around doors and windows.

Create a safety plan and prepare an emergency kit.

Ensure you know how to turn off gas, power and water supply to your property.

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