Understanding insurance, disasters and how to make a digital inventory of your belongings

If you have insurance, it’s important to check your current coverage. To do this, review the policy documents your insurer gave you when you purchased the policy. You can also contact your insurer directly if you have questions.

Here’s what to look for:

• Is your policy current? You’re only covered for damage that happens during your policy period. The dates of your coverage can be found on your policy documents.
• Am I covered for disaster? Not all policies cover disasters. If this is important to you, make sure your policy covers events like storms, lightning, floods, fires (including bushfires), earthquakes, or tsunamis.
• Does your policy cover the full cost of replacing items? Some policies limit how much they will pay for things like jewellery, tools, or art unless they are itemised and agreed to separately.
• What else is included in my cover? For example, temporary accommodation or business interruption might not be included in standard policies. If this is important to you, talk to your insurer about additional coverage.

Your insurance provider will have some expectations of you as the policy holder. Your policy will outline your responsibilities, and it will include an expectation that you make sure your assets and belongings are free from defects and are well maintained. An insurer will likely not cover damage that could have been prevented.

You can visit the Insurance Council of Australia’s website to:

• Find a list of insurers you can contact to discuss your needs.
• Use their online tools, such as insurance calculators.
• Read specialised information about insurance and disasters.

You can also choose to speak to an insurance broker, who can provide you with support to understand your needs and find the right insurance coverage for you.

If you experience damage because of a disaster, notify your insurer as soon as possible once you and your family are safe. You can also ask your insurer for a copy of your policy and the claim process.

Don’t throw away, repair, or clean any damaged items until your insurer tells you it’s okay to do this. This might be difficult when you want to move on and start the clean up with the help of others, but waiting could help make sure your insurance claim isn’t affected, and covers everything you need to replace.

Take photos of any damage, and make a list of anything that is lost, damaged, or destroyed.

If you need to organise emergency repairs, or temporary accommodation, check if your insurer has provided any information about preferred businesses or processes. Make sure you keep any receipts.