A new toolkit has been launched to encourage Tasmanian households and business owners to think about whether they are appropriately insured for natural disasters.
Jointly funded under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), the 'Insurance Checkup' aims to help people make informed choices when purchasing or reviewing their insurance.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management David Littleproud said previous natural disasters have shown the impact of noninsurance and underinsurance can be significant, resulting in unrecoverable financial loss.
"Disaster resilience is everyone's business; preparing to reduce the impacts of natural disasters is a responsibility that must be shared by all levels of government, businesses, community organisations and individuals," Minister Littleproud said.
"Insurance alone cannot reduce the number of deaths and injuries, physical damage and disruption to normal life caused by disasters, but it can lessen the financial burden by helping communities to repair, replace and rebuild at a time when there are often many other impacts to manage.
"The toolkit we are launching today will help Tasmanians make informed decisions about their financial protection in the face of natural disasters.
Tasmanian Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management Mark Shelton said the website was designed to allow Tasmanians to answer questions about their current insurance situation and receive a personalised, step-by-step checklist of things to consider.
"The checklist is backed up by relevant fact sheets with impartial, easy-to-follow information to help people make informed choices when purchasing or reviewing their insurance," Minister Shelton said.
"A supporting awareness campaign called 'She'll be right. Until it isn't' reminds people how risky the carefree mantra can be when it comes to planning for things like being insured for natural disasters and encourages people to consider using the Insurance Checkup to help them prepare."
Tasmanians are encouraged to take the Insurance Checkup at www.InsuranceCheckup.tas.gov.au or visit their local Service Tasmania to pick up an insurance information pack.
