Insurance “gaps” in coastal regions could continue to widen if the Federal Government Climate Change Commission’s rising sea-level predictions become a reality.

The report says that since the late 1800s sea levels have risen 20cm and that continued climate change impacts could see a further 20cm rise by 2050, which would more than double the risk of coastal flooding.

An IAG spokesman says the insurer has done its own research on climate change. But he was unable to say what impact these sea-level predictions would have on the insurance gaps for threatened coastal properties.

“We welcome the public attention these issues are receiving,” he told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

The commission report says sea-level rises could affect a large number of residents and businesses located close to the coast.

“The rate at which sea levels will rise through this century is a critical factor in determining the degree of exposure to risk,” the climate commission report says.

It says these rises could pose a risk to human settlements and infrastructure in low-lying coastal areas, leading to erosion of sandy beaches and soft coastlines.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has also used the report to garner support for the debate over a proposed carbon tax.

She says the results of the commission’s findings have strengthened her determination to act now and make sure big polluters pay.

This latest report also comes as the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) predicts the “final curtain call” for the La Niña climate pattern, which is returning to a more neutral situation.

BOM Climate Prediction Services Manager Andrew Watkins says this season’s La Niña will go down in history as one of the strongest and wettest in living memory.

“The outlook for winter is for conditions to stay neutral,” he told insuranceNEWS.com.au. “Over the coming months changes in the Pacific Ocean will give a clearer picture of the likely conditions for the coming spring and summer, but at this stage it’s a waiting game.”