Important storm and cyclone information

What you can do to prepare for a storm:

Tips to help you and your family prepare for a storm or cyclone:
• Store or weigh down loose objects around your home or work like outdoor furniture that could be picked up and thrown by strong winds, causing damage or injury.
• Trim branches around your home to prevent them falling on your roof or car.
• Clear gutters and downpipes so they do not over flow after heavy rain.
• Prepare an emergency kit with a battery operated radio, torch, spare batteries and first aid kit.
• Plan what you will do with pets and livestock.
• Do not go boating, fishing, swimming or surfing in affected areas.
• Boat owners need to ensure boats in pens and on moorings are secure and items above deck removed or secured.

What to expect:
• Coastal erosion and flooding of low lying coastal areas.
• Severe to Catastrophic fire danger.
• Damaging winds with gusts up to 120 kilometres per hour that could result in damage to properties and fences.
• Very rough seas and dangerous surf conditions.
• Heavy rainfall south of the cyclone with possible localised flooding.

IMPORTANT NUMBERS:
• If your home or property has been badly damaged call the SES on 132 500.
• In a life threatening situation call 000.
• For the latest weather information visit www.bom.gov.au  or call 1300 659 213.

For more information view this preparation guide from FESA.

What you're covered for:
Typical damage from storms or cyclones can include flooding and damage to roofs and fencing.

For details on policy terms, conditions and exclusions relating to cover provided under RAC Building and Contents Product Disclosure Statement and Policy Wording see the extracts below.

Full Product Disclosure Statements are here:

RAC Building, Contents and Personal Valuables Insurance Product Disclosure Statement

Comprehensive Motor Insurance Product Disclosure Statement


Need to make a claim:
If your claim is urgent please call 13 17 03. For all other claims please lodge online.

RAC Building and Contents Product Disclosure Statement and Policy Wording (extracts) 

If You have purchased either Home Building and/or Home Contents insurance as shown on the Policy Schedule We will cover You and your family for destruction, loss or damage to the Home building and/or Home contents caused by: 

(a) STORM and TEMPEST

• We will not pay more than $1500 for loss to Home contents whilst in the open air,

• We will not cover any loss, destruction or damage caused by:

- water or wind entering through an open window or door,

- wind to gates, fences, freestanding walls, shade cloth, patio or pergola roof coverings which are not maintained in good repair and condition,

- storm for the first 48 hours after the start of this Policy except where:

- risk passed to You as purchaser of your Home,

- You signed a lease contract for your Home, or

- your Policy commenced immediately after another Policy covering the same risk expired without a break in cover.

Extract from PDS and Policy Wording Definitions (page 23)

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(b) FLOOD

• But You must pay the first $200 of each and every claim in addition to any other applicable excess,

• We will not cover any loss, destruction or damage caused by flood for the first 48 hours after the start of this Policy except where:

- risk passed to You as purchaser of your Home,

- You signed a lease contract for your Home, or

- your Policy commenced immediately after another Policy covering the same risk expired without a break in cover.
Extract from  PDS and Policy Wording Insured Events (page 23)

Flood is defined as the inundation of normally dry land by water overflowing from the normal confines of any natural or artificial watercourse, lake, reservoir, canal or dam. 

Extract from PDS and Policy Wording Definitions (page 19)

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The Policy however does not cover the action of the sea, storm surge, high tide, or tsunami

Extract from PDS and Policy Wording General Exclusions (page 39)