Hi All, (There are 3 media reports in this email with comments inbetween). Due to the media report below and on-going pressure, Suncorp have decided to join with JCU Townsville in order to come up with a report on what makes properties safe during cyclones and what causes risk. Yet another investigation, but results in Roma and various other places have resulted to date in reductions in premiums up to 90% – which just goes to show how much we have all been penalised for no good purpose. UP to 99 per cent of the Far North has been rated by a leading insurer in the high risk range for cyclones, prompting the possibility of further premium hikes. Suncorp Insurance yesterday released data showing the levels of risk in the region’s suburbs, with more than 450 suburbs falling in the high risk zone for severe tropical storm events. The data was shared in conjunction with the launch of Suncorp Insurance’s Resilience Week, in which the group will provide helpful tips and information on its Facebook page to prepare followers for the approaching summer storm season. Suncorp Insurance spokeswoman Melissa Cronin said the organisation wasn’t sharing the data to alarm local residents, but to prepare them. “We’re doing this so Far North Queenslanders are informed of the risks and can take appropriate action in and around their home,” she said. “Queensland’s summer weather is unpredictable. As we’ve seen all too frequently over the past few years, summer storms can cause a lot of damage, so it definitely pays to be prepared, and we want to help residents in Far North Queensland do that.” And what they are intending to do about it...... Townsville Bulletin RESEARCHERS will put more than 24,000 insurance claims from cyclones Larry and Yasi under the microscope in a bid to improve building codes and bring down premiums. James Cook University’s cyclone testing station has been handed the data and $50,000 funding by Suncorp to identify vulnerabilities in North Queensland houses. Cyclone testing station director David Henderson said their results would provide valuable information on what building features made homes more resilient. The study will compare house types, damage levels, wind speed, rainfall intensity and different locations to determine how all the factors affect a home. Dr Henderson said these kinds of studies can help influence building codes and educate homeowners. “After Cyclone Yasi came through we had a lot of damage with roller doors,” he said. “We were able to get some of those changes in to upgrade that roller door standard, same with the rooftop. “So there’s changes happening a lot of the time in incremental bits like that. “Building codes are a fluid thing and we learn stuff out of the damage investigations, out of doing studies like this, if there’s ways of changing it to make the houses better but conversely if we find there’s really good performance happening and there’s ways of saving money in a house, that can also come of this type of study. Dr Henderson said they would welcome other insurance companies to contribute data to the study “The bigger the pool, the more robust the study will be,” he said. Suncorp Personal Insurance chief executive officer Mark Milliner said if the study improved buildings’ resilience, premiums would drop. “Premium is a really good indicator of risk and if we can make people’s homes safer for them when it’s quite dangerous outside, I think that’s a wonderful thing that we should do as an organisation,” he said. “Certainly from my perspective, the more resilient North Queensland is, I think the better for the overall community.” Mr Milliner said he felt the study was important to the region’s future. “We want to make sure communities in all of Australia are safe, and specifically Northern Australia where there are a lot of cyclones,” he said. Mr Millner said it was important that they understood the differences between houses that were and weren’t damaged and then reflect that in their pricing. “The reality is if the risk of damage is reduced, then premiums reduce,” he said. “We’ve already seen this occur in other parts of Australia. “Roma’s a great example with the levy that was built where the risk of flooding in that town was significantly reduced and therefore we could drop premiums up to 90 per cent in some cases.” And should you want to have your say then the contact details are at the bottom of this article – feel free to let them know your thoughts – I will..... Insurancenews article JCU study to help make North Qld more cyclone resilient Researchers from James Cook University will undertake a ground breaking study that will help improve north Queensland housing’s resilience to cyclones. The study, which is funded by insurer, Suncorp, will identify the good and bad features affecting vulnerability in the region’s housing. JCU’s Cyclone Testing Station Director, David Henderson said a team of structural engineers will pore over more than 24,000 insurance claims from cyclones Larry and Yasi. Dr Henderson says the study will provide valuable information about what makes a home more resilient to cyclones. “Along with the age of properties, the shape, orientation, construction form, building type, roof type and attachments at the properties will also be considered.” “This will help us form a clear picture of what differentiates cyclone resilient housing stock from less resilient homes so we can investigate cost effective ways of improving them.” Suncorp Personal Insurance CEO, Mark Milliner said North Queensland residents should know how and where homes are the most exposed to cyclone damage. He said the information should help reduce a property’s risk and ultimately lower the cost of home insurance. “North and far north Queensland need this study. The outcomes will help the wider community develop practical measures that homeowners can use to make their homes more resilient to cyclones,” Mr Milliner said. “It could even help governments determine whether building standards are suitable in addressing cyclone risk. “To help Queenslanders in these areas, it’s vital insurers, governments and communities work together towards a collective and accurate view about the nature and extent of risk and strong action to reduce that risk.” Tropical cyclones Larry and Yasi ripped through communities in north and far north Queensland. Yasi caused an economic loss of $3.5 billion. Larry had a $1 billion impact. In addition to the research, Suncorp has also announced that it has signed on as a benefactor of JCU, to form an ongoing partnership and collaborate on future works. The research findings are expected to be reported next year. For more information contact: Richard Davis, Head of Media & Communications, JCU, (07) 4781 4822 / 0413 451 475 richard.davis@jcu.edu.au Chris Newlan, Suncorp Insurance Corporate Affairs, 0403 058 455, chris.newlan@suncorp.com.au Meanwhile we keep up the pressure.