Many Queensland homes have too little or no cover, according to new research by RACQ Insurance.

Among 1000 households, 14% have no building or contents insurance, the survey held last December shows.

Some 47% say they are underinsured because they “just haven’t got around to it”, while 21% cite rising house prices as a factor. Other respondents (19%) say cover is too expensive.

About one-third of households (33%) had not checked their cover in the past year, with 24% failing to do so in two years. Some 8% were unaware they should check their cover levels.

About 8% have had to reduce their cover in the past 12 months.

“The level of home building underinsurance across Queensland and the high proportion of properties without insurance is alarming, particularly as the frequency and severity of major weather events appears to be increasing,” RACQ CEO Bradley Heath said.