RAC is urging Western Australians to be extra vigilant around their property after recent storms in the state saw a surge of 1100 claims in less than a week.
RAC Home Claims Manager, Glen Walker, said 2017 saw the highest number of storm related claims in the past five years and was almost double that of 2015.
“Between 2015 and 2017 we saw an almost 100% increase in claims for storm damage across Western Australia,” Mr Walker said.
| Year | Number of RAC storm related claims |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 8,115 |
| 2016 | 14,509 |
| 2017 | 15,754 |
“Storms often come quickly and catch homeowners off guard so our advice is to take a look around your front and back yards for any potential risks and try to minimise them as much as possible.
“Items that are most often damaged in a winter storm include fences and gates, ceilings, roofs and patios, but some simple precautions can help protect your home.
“Trim loose tree branches, hire a contractor to clear any trees surrounding power lines, secure loose outdoor objects like furniture and always keep an emergency kit handy.
“Cleaning the gutters and valley trays on your roof can save you a lot of heartache in the event of a downpour and pumping out some water from your pool helps reduce the risk of overflow.
For more storm preparation tips visit www.rac.com.au/home-life/info/storm-preparation-fact-sheet
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Top 10 suburbs with the most storm related claims in 2017
| Suburb | Claims |
|---|---|
| Rockingham | 90 |
| Thornlie | 82 |
| Morley | 80 |
| Dianella, Ballajura | 72 |
| Canning Vale | 67 |
| Gosnells, Kingsley | 53 |
| Willetton, Ocean Reef | 51 |
| Leeming, Hillarys, Stirling | 48 |
| Spearwood | 46 |
Media contact: Stephanie Gavlak 0401 703 719
