Fire, Homes & Insurance
The bushfires that have been raging across Australia have caused ongoing devastation. Current statistics state that as of the 14th of January 2020, an estimated 46 million acres of land have been burnt, 2,780 homes have been destroyed, at least 34 people have lost their lives and an estimated 1 billion animals have died. The devastating effect fire has on individuals, families, communities and the environment is undeniable.
The threat of bushfires is set to continue across Australia. The Insurance Council of Australia is urging homeowners to ensure they have adequate insurance to cover their home and/or contents should a fire occur. Insurance Council Australia has opened a disaster hotline - 1800 734 621 - to assist policyholders if they are uncertain of their insurance details. While you may find your insurance does provide a level of cover for fire, it could still be worth checking your policy’s Product Disclosure Statement or contacting your insurer directly to determine what types of fires are included and if any exclusions or waiting periods apply.
What insurance is available for fire damage?
Insurance available for fire damage includes home and/or contents insurance. Home insurance is typically only available if you are the home-owner. Home insurance generally includes cover for repairing or replacing your home or permanent fixtures, demolition, and removal of debris, temporary accommodation while your home is unable to be occupied, and fees for architects or surveyors. Contents insurance protects personal possessions such as furniture, appliances, and electronics from damage or loss from a fire. Generally, cover includes repair or replacement of your belongings, removal of damaged items, payment for moving or storage fees of undamaged contents if a fire makes your home unliveable. Note that inclusions will differ depending on the level of cover that you choose.
While there is little that we can do to prevent bushfires from occurring, there are many things that we can do to prevent household fires. We’ve compiled a list of things we believe are vital to protecting your home, your contents, and your life.
Test your smoke alarms regularly to ensure they are working
Always have a fire blanket or fire extinguisher in or near the kitchen, and ensure you and other members of the household are familiar with how to use it
Never leave anything on the stove without supervision
Keep tea towels and cookbooks away from the stove
Clean out the lint trap in your dryer on a regular basis
Ensure no open flames (like candles) are burning without supervision, put them out before leaving the room and ensure they are not burning near curtains or blankets.
The effects that fire can have on our lives is unfathomable. Having precautionary measures in place to ensure you are doing your bit to reduce the risk of a household fire is essential. Our thoughts are with those who have been directly impacted by fires and in particular, those who have been affected by this season's bushfires. If you or anyone you know of are in need of advice or assistance, the team at PGA Advisory is here to help.