Apartment owners should consider Catastrophe Cover

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Apartment owners should consider Catastrophe Cover

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Catastrophes don’t just affect free standing homes. They hit apartment blocks too. So just like your free-standing home neighbours, you should ask yourself: am I prepared for the storm and fire season?

Earlier reports about a delayed start to cyclone season have since been blown out of the water and peak industry body for Queensland strata communities says it is crucial for communities to have the proper insurance cover and up-to-date valuation.

Strata leaders say catastrophe insurance policies should be on the shopping list of strata communities in the wake of the 200 bushfires that recently were burning throughout Queensland and this new ‘zombie cyclone’ threat.

Adequate insurance should protect policyholders against natural disasters such as bushfires, earthquakes, floods and cyclones. These low-probability, high-cost events are sometimes excluded from standard insurance policies and if included only cover the damage for costs that are reasonable.

In the event of a broader area that experiences the damage, prices go up and some strata communities may be out of pocket.

Strata Community Association (Qld) President Simon Barnard says the risk of not being adequately covered for the wild summer of weather should spring countless communities into action.

“There’s a very real chance that your standard insurance policy doesn’t provide adequate cover for catastrophe events like the bushfires we have seen and cyclones that are still to come this summer.”

“Often insurance valuations which should be done frequently for strata buildings are not up to date and in the event of damage, insurance policies fall short of the required cover.”

“But there’s still time to mitigate these risks and we’re urging Queensland apartment owners to get their valuations updated and discuss the value of additional cover with their body corporate committee.”

Mr Barnard says the instances of wild weather in recent years have clearly increased and strata communities need to take the financial impact a natural disaster can have seriously.

“Recent cyclone seasons have taken a physical and financial toll on local strata communities, but communities must keep investing in their ability to bounce back.”

“Right now we are able to list 10+ insurers who provide this cover to Queenslanders and the time to take action is now.”

“Although this extra protection may come at additional expense, we believe many strata communities require this higher level of cover and we’re encouraging all communities in high risk areas to urgently discuss this at body corporate committee level.”

In the meantime, Strata Community Association (Qld) has encouraged apartment owners and bodies corporate to speak with a professional body corporate manager to get more detail on the insurance options available to their community

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The information provided is a general guide only and is not intended as a substitute for legal advice. The company disclaims all responsibility and liability for any expenses, losses, damages, and costs which might be incurred as a result of the information provided by the company.

REF: This timely information about catastrophe cover has been supplied by Strata Community Association (Qld). This post appears in Strata News #222 LookUpStrata.

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