Suncorp is encouraging Queensland homeowners to rebuild stronger homes after an insurance claim with its Build it Back Better initiative, which provides up to $10,000 to eligible customers to improve resilience to natural hazards, water damage, fire and theft.

Queensland has experienced more than 40 natural hazard events in the past five years, leading to more than 136,390 claims lodged by Suncorp customers.

Build it Back Better allows Suncorp customers who make an eligible claim to choose from a range of resilience options, such as installation of cyclone washers and roof sarking, cyclone shutters, metal roller blinds, garage door bracing, metal gutters and guards, draught stoppers for windows and doors and roof sprinklers.

Other options are swapping carpet for tiles or raising air conditioning units, hot water systems and pool pumps.

“Cost, time constraints and competing priorities prevent homeowners from doing the necessary work to strengthen their homes from natural disasters,” Suncorp Head of Insurance Paige Vincent said.

“With this new product feature, we’re offering our customers the chance to build their homes back better – strengthening and better protecting themselves from natural disasters. It’s an exciting concept and one that we’re looking forward to seeing our customers benefit from.”

Installing cyclone shutters or metal roller blinds, draught stoppers and gutter guards helps strengthen a home’s resilience by preventing water, wind and fire from getting inside a home.

Suncorp research found more than half of Queensland homeowners admit they haven’t thought about how to protect their home from significant weather events.

Living near trees and powerlines was identified as Queensland homeowners' biggest concern, followed by living in a high wind area, uncleared leaves in the guttering worn and damaged roofs, windows and doors not being sturdy enough and cladding being in poor condition.

Cost, time and having other priorities were identified as barriers to taking action.