The Local Government Association of Queensland has pressed for federal action to help residents and businesses in disaster-prone areas secure affordable insurance.

The peak body wants the next Commonwealth government to commit to reforms it says will ease the pressure on premiums.

Its wish list includes increasing the affordability and availability of cover for households, strata unit owners and businesses; and a review of the cyclone reinsurance pool to extend its claims period.

It also wants greater transparency in the setting of premiums, and consideration of climate resilience and natural hazard mitigation measures when calculating prices.

The peak body wants claims processes simplified in the federal Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements scheme, to cut red tape and make substantiation processes fairer for essential public assets such as roads and drainage.

The association says Queensland communities have reported insurance premiums rising by 100%-500%, despite significant investment in mitigation measures such as levees.

“Soaring insurance costs are putting pressure on Queenslanders during a cost-of-living crisis,” president Matt Burnett said. “Significant increases in insurance premiums, which many report as being unaffordable, lead to uninsurance and underinsurance challenges, leaving communities vulnerable.”

Tablelands Regional Council Mayor Rod Marti said: “There has to be a fairer way, particularly for our most vulnerable community members.”