Brokers are being hammered by extreme weather events and are eager for Australia to start acting on climate-related risks now.

The Zurich Australia and National Insurance Brokers Association Climate Risk Survey says 82% of brokers have dealt with extreme weather events. More than 75% say their views on climate change have been affected by this year’s weather events, and a similar number believe Australia is experiencing a change of climate.

While 79% of brokers agree that it is their role to advise clients on their exposures to climate change, most are leaving it up to governments and insurers to take the lead on educating people on risk management around climate change, and are keen for insurers to provide them with training.

Zurich Australia CEO David Smith says his company will provider broker training.

“The days when insurers just handed over the cheque are gone,” he said. “The community expects us to help them get their lives back together when climatic disasters hit.”

Zurich also announced the inaugural winner of its Climate Ready Broker Award. Peter Farrar, Director of RJ Vaughan & Monaghan Insurance Brokers in Hornsby, NSW, received the award for his work helping customers adapt to climate change risks.