Tasmania should consider improved flood mapping to help prevent future catastrophes, according to an independent review held after storms devastated parts of the state last winter.

Floods last June and July killed three people and cost more than $180 million in damage to homes, farmland and infrastructure.

The review by former auditor-general Mike Blake recommends the Government should assess flood maps to identify gaps, work with councils to improve data and consider completing mapping using “light detection and ranging” or other technology to identify riverine flood-prone areas.

“Reliable flood mapping is a vital first step in identifying flood risk to enable individuals to make decisions about where they live and invest in property and what level and type of insurance cover they may choose,” Mr Blake says.

His report says national legislation defines “flood” for insurance purposes, and consumers have a responsibility to understand what they are buying, while brokers and insurers must advise on what is included.

“We concluded that, on the whole, insurers followed the mandated legislative provisions and there are mechanisms in place for people to challenge a refusal to pay out,” it says.

“The relevant legislation is only four years old and this experience, together with more recent flooding in Queensland and NSW, is likely to provide further evidence from which parties responsible can test if the law is working as intended.”

Last year’s Tasmanian floods drew criticism of insurers over their response, with state senator Jacqui Lambie warning she would push for a parliamentary inquiry.

The report suggests more spending on mitigation may be needed, but further work is required to understand what would be appropriate.

Tasmanian Police, Fire and Emergency Management Minister Rene Hidding says the report makes 24 recommendations, which the Government will “carefully consider” before responding.