THE devastating April storms saw more than 50,000 claims lodged with NRMA Insurance — more than would typically be seen in a whole year — new data reveals.
More than three quarters or 76 per cent of all home insurance claims last financial year were for storm damage, largely attributed to the crushing East Coast Low, up 30 per cent from the previous year where storm damage equated to 46 per cent of all household claims.
The Hunter and Central Coast were the hardest hit according to new claims data released today, accounting for 52 per cent between them.
Sydney’s sprawling north west from Ku-ring-gai, Hornsby, Baulkham Hills and out to Blacktown, Penrith and the Blue Mountains were the third and fourth worst affected areas accounting for 14 per cent of claims in the 2014/15 financial year.
The data comes as the NSW State Emergency Service is urging people to remain vigilant this storm season, despite indications El Niño conditions could potentially lower the risk of severe weather this summer.
“On average there are over one hundred severe thunderstorm events per year, and this year we’ve already had one major storm in April which communities are still recovering from,” NSW SES Commissioner Adam Dent said.