Government-funded app delivers insurance savings for bushfire-prone homes
Users of the Bushfire Resilience Rating Home Self-Assessment App are eligible to receive on their household insurance premiums from select insurers.
In a pioneering move, NRMA Insurance and Suncorp Group have announced discounts on household insurance premiums for users of the free Bushfire Resilience Rating Home Self-Assessment App, marking a world-first initiative. This announcement follows suit after the Federal Government contributed $3 million towards the Resilient Building Council's (RBC) groundbreaking work, resulting in the launch of the app in October last year.
The app, designed to measure the resilience of individual homes to local bushfire risk, has garnered significant attention, with over 19,000 households across 274 Local Government Areas accessing it to date. Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt, emphasised the tangible benefits of this initiative.
“Today's announcement demonstrates that the [Federal] Government’s efforts to reduce climate and disaster risk are delivering real financial benefits to households,” he said.
Households who complete their Bushfire Resilience Rating assessment and undertake recommended measures to enhance their home's resilience stand to gain insurance discounts proportional to their achieved rating. CEO of the Insurance Council of Australia, Andrew Hall, highlighted the broader societal impact.
“The Resilience Ratings Scheme isn't just about financial protection from the risk of bushfires; it's about safeguarding our communities and empowering individuals to make informed decisions that can save lives and protect property,” he said.
The success of the app has been met with enthusiasm from industry leaders. Julie Batch, CEO of NRMA Insurance, stressed the significance of preparedness in mitigating the impact of bushfires, noting, “As a long-term partner of the RBC, we are pleased to have contributed to the development of the Resilience Rating methodology which underpins the app.”
Participants of the Resilience Rating app trial, like Val Gomez, highlight the transformative effect this initiative has had on communities. Gomez, who experienced bushfires firsthand, expressed, “We got a good Resilience Rating, so now we can get cheaper insurance and interest rates,” he said.
“It feels like real change is happening in our community now, we’re definitely better prepared.”
With households increasingly embracing measures to bolster their resilience against bushfires, the initiative underscores a collaborative effort between government, industry, and communities to mitigate risk and foster a safer, more resilient Australia.