NRMA Insurance received 5771 “wild weather” claims in winter, down 40% from autumn but up from 4184 in winter last year, with water entering homes one of the most common issues.

The insurer says wild weather was behind 44% of all winter home claims. There were 5236 severe weather home claims and 535 for motor. 

The 14th edition of the NRMA Insurance Wild Weather Tracker says WA and SA experienced a surge in such claims during winter. Queensland and the ACT had their second-quietest seasons since 2016, and NSW its third-quietest. 

In WA, winter claims more than doubled compared with autumn to 1817. Storm damage was behind 94% of wild weather home claims. Unlike on the east coast, winter is historically the worst season for wild weather claims in WA, accounting for eight of the 10 worst seasons since 2016.

NSW wild weather claims totalled 3306, down from 8125 in autumn.

“Storms accounted for 81% of the wild weather claims received in NSW throughout winter, with almost half occurring during a very wet June,” the Tracker says. 

In SA, NRMA Insurance received 344 wild weather claims, with Adelaide South the hardest-hit region.

“South Australia saw ... more than four times the [83] claims received in autumn.”

In Queensland, there were just 171 wild weather claims in winter, down from 324 in autumn.

“Queensland experienced its quietest season for wild weather claims since spring 2016, apart from winter 2023. Seven of the lowest seasonal claims periods over the past eight years have occurred in winter,” the report says.

There were 85 wild weather claims in the ACT – 100 fewer than in autumn. Only winter last year has produced fewer claims since 2016 in the territory, where winter is historically the quietest season.

NRMA Insurance says 39% of Australians have had a water leak at home, and a fifth of those more than once.

More than half have not checked the condition of their roofs in the past year.

“Australians understand the importance of having their car serviced regularly, but we need to place the same priority on maintaining the condition of the roof over our heads,” EGM claims Luke Gallagher said. 

The insurer urges regular clearing of gutter debris and checking and repairing of roofs ahead of heightened storm and hail risk predicted for the east coast in spring.  

Above-average early spring rainfall is expected in the southeast of SA and Victoria, and in Tasmania.

Click here for the wild weather tracker.