Reducing your risk this flood season

Extreme weather events like storms and excessive rain can result in flooding. Some areas are more susceptible to floods than others, but much of Australia faces at least some risk.

Regardless of where you are, knowing what to do and making sure your home is covered can offer some peace of mind.

Before a flood

Prepare your home

Some damage may be inevitable, depending on the depth and duration of the flood, but there are some things you can do to reduce your risk.

• Move electrical items up as high as you can. If you have a house with more than one storey, store them on the highest level.
• Roll up any rugs. As with electrical items, store them up high if you can.
• Store important documents and vital medications in a waterproof container.

If you have the time and budget to make more permanent alterations to your home, you can consider using a more flood-friendly flooring material than carpet, such as tiles or concrete. You can always add rugs that can be easily rolled up and stored away if necessary.

Prepare an emergency kit

If you need to leave home quickly, there are a few basic items you should take with you:

• First aid kit
• Essential medication
• Important documents
• Plenty of water
• Portable phone charger
• In-car phone charger.

Review your home and contents insurance

Despite your best preparation efforts, your home may still see some damage if a flood occurs. Review your home and contents insurance to ensure that flood damage is covered, as it is with every level of GIO Home and Contents Insurance (except within the first 72 hours of taking out a new policy), and that your sum insured is adequate.

Your sum insured is the amount for which your home and contents are insured. It should reflect how much they would cost to rebuild, repair or replace. It can be updated via GIO Online Services, or you can give us a call on 13 10 10.

Compare Home and Contents Insurance options

During a flood

You may decide to leave, in which case you should do so as soon as possible and head for higher ground. Remember your emergency kit, and inform someone of where you’re going. Raise your valuables and electrical items as high as you can, employing roof space if possible, before you go.

If you decide to stay, ensure that all family members remain indoors. Boil tap water before drinking it, and ensure that things like medications, food and warm changes of clothing are kept high but accessible.

More detailed tips are available via several state and territory government websites.

• New South Wales 
• Northern Territory
• Queensland
• South Australian
• Tasmania 
• Victoria
• Western Australia

After a flood

Check that the area around your home is safe. Check on your family and neighbours, calling for medical assistance or performing first aid if needed.

You should then check whether your home, including the outdoor areas, has suffered any damage.

Floods are considered an insured event for home and contents insurance, so you’re entitled to make a claim for damage they may cause to your house, your contents, or both. For details on coverage, including exclusions and limits, please refer to the PDS. It’s simple to claim online, or over the phone by calling 13 10 10.

You can use the GIO App to make eligible claims quickly and easily from your smartphone.

 Learn more about the GIO App

Read more:

• Are you insured for a bushfire?
• Reducing your risk during storm season
• Is it covered by Home and Contents Insurance?

Insurance issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 trading as GIO. Read the Product Disclosure Statement before buying this insurance. This advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situations or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it. The Target Market Determination is also available.