A third-consecutive La Niña event has been forecasted for northern and eastern Australia, set to bring above average rainfall during spring and summer. Whether it’s heavy rain, lightning or hailstones it is coming our way. As a Lot Owner in an Owners Corporation, you need to be prepared to deal with unpredictable and extreme weather conditions La Niña continues to bring.
At SSKB, we work closely with Collective Insurance Brokers (CIB) so we can help you to determine exactly what coverage you require. In our latest article, we share with you 5 top tips to help prepare your Strata or Community titled building for a storm. It will help to protect your property, and potentially save money on your future insurance premium.
Be ready!
1. Garden maintenance
It will help protect your property from damage caused by falling trees or branches. Make sure all branches and large plants close to the building are trimmed back and well maintained.
2. Gutter maintenance
It’s crucial to keep your gutters and downpipes clear of rubbish and leaves so when it begins to rain the water can flow freely into the drain. This will ensure water won’t leak into your roof or damage external walls. Residents should also check the drains on their balconies. Balconies need to be clear. With very heavy and continuous rain the balcony could overflow and seep into the building.
3. Driveways and car parks maintenance
Make sure to monitor for any cracks or holes that could form in the asphalt. With heavy rain or flooding they could quickly get much worse and become a pothole. Once potholes form, they can quickly become a trip hazard.
4. Roof maintenance
Have a contractor check the roof for any damage or signs of deterioration regularly. Some key areas to look out for:
- Look for broken, cracked, or missing roof tiles
- Signs of moss/mold forming
- Chimneys or vent coverings are in good condition
- Solar panels are attached securely. Don’t forget your surge protector.
5. Check your level of insurance cover
Having adequate cover under your buildings residential Strata insurance policy and understanding exclusions is so important. Insurers recommend Strata communities have a full building valuation at least every 3 years. An Owners Corporation will cover the costs of restoring the scheme to good and sound structural condition if the damage is not covered by insurance.
What are the first steps you should take in an emergency?
Contact your broker or SSKB Owners Corporation Manager to ask for advice, they will be able to assist you to lodge an insurance claim for the damage. Once your claim is lodged, the insurance company will then allocate an assessor and or builder/contractor to come out, evaluate the damage and arrange for permanent repairs as soon as possible.
Did you know? You can lodge an insurance claim via the SSKB app.
Resources
Make sure you know who to contact in need of help. We’ve provided a list of emergency contacts for you below:
Police/Fire/ Ambulance: 000 for life threatening emergency situations
SES: 132 500 for non-life-threatening emergency situations
Red Cross: 1800 733 276
Energex: 13 12 53
Origin Energy: 13 24 61
Stay informed with the latest Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) weather warnings:
http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/warnings/index.shtml?ref=hdr
To access more information, please visit the resources below:
- To contact Collective Insurance Brokers (CIB), click here.
- http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/outlooks/#/overview/summary
- https://insurancecouncil.com.au/consumers/help-in-disasters/
