About 90% of catastrophe losses over the past decade have taken place between October and April, the Insurance Council of Australia warns today, as it urges residents and businesses to prepare for storm and bushfire threats.

The Bureau of Meteorology has also issued its cyclone season forecast, and while an average period of 11 storms is expected, the likelihood of severe cyclones is higher due to warmer ocean temperatures.

The bureau adds that during the warmer months “severe thunderstorms are more common”, with floods a threat to many communities, especially across the north and east of the country.

Heatwaves and severe fire weather days are also expected.

“Fire authorities are advising an increased fire risk in the spring months for parts of Queensland, the Northern Territory, western Victoria and south-east South Australia,” the bureau’s national community information manager Andrea Peace said.

“They also advise a potential early start to the fire season in parts of South Australia and Victoria, and extending to Tasmania if there are warm and dry conditions leading into summer.”

ICA says since 2013, 78% of all declared insurance catastrophes have taken place between October and April, and 90% of catastrophe-related losses have been incurred in those months. 

It says there are practical steps insureds can take to prepare, including reducing risk through property maintenance, making an inventory of contents, and reviewing insurance cover and sums insured.

“We’ve already seen an early start to storm season, with flooding in parts of Victoria and Tasmania last month and storms in southeast Queensland last week,” CEO Andrew Hall said.

“Storm season is unpredictable and in Australia extreme weather can strike any place and at any time. 

“The cost of home repairs and rebuilding has risen by 27% since 2020, making it vital that property owners know their sum insured is adequate.”