Residents seriously underestimate the damage cyclones can do, according to new research released by Suncorp as the cyclone season gets under way.

The study, carried out with James Cook University, shows Queenslanders are not aware of the damage inflicted by storms like last year’s Cyclone Debbie, which caused insured losses of $1.78 billion.

About 90% of 550 north Queensland respondents who took part in the research say Category 1-2 storms carry “very low to somewhat low” damage and about 45% also felt the same about more powerful Category 3-4 storms.

Category 4-storm Yasi, which hit the state in 2011, caused insured losses of more than $1.4 billion.

“These findings demonstrate the level of complacency in some of our communities, with many still believing that ‘it won’t happen to me’,” Suncorp Insurance spokesman Josh Cooney said.

The research shows many have yet to undertake house-strengthening measures, despite the vulnerability to cyclones of communities in the state’s north.

For example, about 87% don’t have cyclone shutters. For those who haven’t already had upgrades installed, 65-75% are between “extremely unlikely” and “neutral” to carry out any shutter, roof replacement or roller door upgrades in the next five years.

“Low levels of intentions to install such mitigation items were associated with misguided risk perceptions and inadequate understanding of both the effectiveness and true cost of installing them,” the research says.

Suncorp says mitigation is the long-term key to addressing cyclone risk, because nine out of 10 cyclone-related claims can be avoided with proper preparation.

The Queensland Government’s Household Resilience Program funds 75% of costs required to improve the cyclone resilience of pre-1980s buildings, up to a maximum of $11,250.

This complements Suncorp’s Cyclone Resilience Benefit, which rewards customers in north Queensland with premium reductions of up to 20% for making their homes more cyclone-resilient.

New residents and tourists not familiar with how storms play out are also in harm’s way, Suncorp warns.

Queensland welcomed 24,000 interstate arrivals in the 12 months to March and 35,199 residents from overseas in 2016/17.

“That’s a significant number of people who may soon experience their first Queensland weather event, and also a timely reminder to those born and bred here to dust off their storm and cyclone preparation plans,” Mr Cooney said.

The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a below-average cyclone season but warns at least one storm has hit the state every year.

Suncorp says customers who undertake measures to strengthen their properties come through storms better than counterparts who do not.

“For customers who were receiving a high Cyclone Resilience Benefit prior to Cyclone Debbie, the data shows there was a lower frequency of claims and lower average claims cost,” a Suncorp spokesman told insuranceNEWS.com.au.