“Getting Insurance during in Bushfire Season”
(Newswire.net— September 16, 2013) Parrammatta NSW – The early bushfire season has brought with it a nervousness amongst Australian insurers. Tim Kelly of RGIB Insurance Broking says “many insurers are declining to offer insurance on buildings with significant timber and iron construction”.
The intensity of bush fires from abnormally hot conditions combined with record high winds is causing burning ambers to float many kilometres beyond the fire front, dropping into towns like mini incendiary bombs reminiscent of scene out of the second world war.
All the potentials are there and sooner or later, in some part of Australia, weather patterns will occur so that strong, hot, dry winds will blow from the centre of the continent after the fuel has been preconditioned by drought. Local, Sate and Federal emergency services are already run-off there feet saving what property and pastures they can but, commercial buildings typical in rural towns and regional centres stand almost at the mercy of these extreme and abnormal weather events.
As a result, owners of traditional and colonial style commercial buildings with significant timber and iron construction have had to endure increasing insurance premiums in recent years but right now no matter how much they’re willing to pay, most insurers “will run a mile to escape the risk” says Tim Kelly.
But, there are still a few specialist insurers willing to provide insurance cover on reasonable terms provided proper measures are in place to minimise the risk of a fire loss caused by external forces such as bushfires.
Fire insurance isn’t just about minimising the risk from within; for instance a commercial building with commercial cooking on premises such a such as a restaurant, café or B&B for example, its about taking a holistic approach to the risk of fire.
Pre-fire season preparation is essential to show an insurer that you take the risk of fire seriously. In most Sates and Territories fire authorities provide a service for fire surveys which RGIB says is a very useful tool for convincing insurers a customer’s commercial property isn’t the high risk that they might initially perceive.
That’s where an insurance broker like RGIB can help – RGIB is widely regarded Australia’s most innovative insurance brokers, arranging insurance cover for all manner of business and commercial properties.
While price is a key factor the most important consideration is getting the best cover at the right price – after all no one wants to pay for insurance they don’t, especially from an insurer who will make claims difficult a difficult proposition.
RGIB can usually provide a complete solution for all your commercial property insurance needs.
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Just contact us ………………………………………….
Rural & General Insurance Broking
3 Victoria Road,
Parrammatta NSW 2150
1300 620-520
http://www.ruralandgeneral.com.au/