Tracking 5 years of wild weather

Australia is famous for its pristine beaches and wide-open spaces, but we also live with some of the harshest weather on the planet.

“In Australia, we’re exposed to just about every possible hazard, from fires and floods to severe thunderstorms and tropical cyclones” says NRMA Insurance Meteorologist Peter Chan.

The reality is becoming harder to ignore. In 2025, our Natural Perils team partnered with the U.S. National Science Foundation’s National Center for Atmospheric Research to release the Severe Weather in a Changing Climate report. The report shows climate change is impacting the severity, frequency and location of weather events, and for many Australian communities, the risks are growing.  

Looking at our own claims data, we see the day-to-day impact. On average, we receive a wild weather claim every 9 minutes and more than half of all home claims are caused by extreme weather. 

Findings from the 20th edition of the NRMA Insurance Wild Weather tracker reveal that extreme weather has become a year-round reality for millions of Australian households, with 3 in 5 wild weather claims occurring in summer (31%) and autumn (30%). Amongst these, storms have been the leading cause of damage to homes (59.7%), followed by hail events (23%) and floods (6.5%).

The impacts are clear. 38% of Australians have experienced damage to their property or vehicle as a result of wild weather, and 45% of Australians now say that wild weather influences their daily lifestyle more than it did 5 years ago.

Our claims data reveals the regions hardest hit by wild weather. The top spot in each region for weather claims (home and motor) include:

• Gold Coast – Queensland
  
• Newcastle and Lake Macquarie – New South Wales
  
• Perth northwest region – Western Australia
  
• Adelaide north – South Australia
  
• Dunlop – Australian Capital Territory.

Looking ahead, 38% of Australians say they’re now more likely to take steps to prepare for wild weather in the future following the events of the past 5 years. This sentiment reflects a preparedness movement, with 42% having an emergency plan in place compared to 36% five years ago.

“Severe weather can strike suddenly, but small steps to prepare ahead of time make a big difference. This season we recommend clearing your gutters, trimming overhanging branches and checking the condition of your roof to help reduce your home’s vulnerability.” - NRMA Insurance Executive Manager Claim Scott Lindsay.

Understanding the risks surrounding your local area is the first step. Then, you can start to put more actionable measures in place. Discover how with the following resources:

• Getting ready for extreme conditions
  
• Prepare and plan for bushfires
  
• Attend an Australian Red Cross EmergencyRedi Workshop
  
• Managing your mental health after extreme weather.

Insurance exists to help cover the cost of repairing or replacing your home, vehicle and other possessions if an event listed on your policy — such as fire, flood or storm — occurs.  

If it’s been a while since you last reviewed or updated your home insurance or motor insurance policy, consider double-checking your policy and what’s included to make sure you’re adequately covered for the things you care about. You may also like to check out our guide on ways to help avoid underinsurance.