Allianz Australia says household maintenance gaps ahead of summer are contributing to an increase in non-catastrophe home insurance claims, with new research indicating a difference between how homeowners view their risks and their actual exposure.
Company-commissioned research shows that 42% of surveyed Australians had neither started nor completed home maintenance to prepare for seasonal weather risks ahead of summer 2025. This is occurring amid forecasts of above-average daytime temperatures across much of the country and higher-than-average rainfall in parts of eastern Australia. Over the 2024–25 summer, Allianz home and contents claims not attributed to declared catastrophes totalled $84 million, reflecting the impact of routine weather and household incidents on loss experience.
Allianz’s internal claims figures indicate that routine storm-related events remained a significant cost driver last summer. Claims linked to lightning reached $7.05 million, while hail-related claims totalled $20.41 million, despite neither peril necessarily triggering catastrophe classifications.
The new research suggests that many households are not adjusting their behaviour to reflect those exposures. Nearly one in five respondents said they were not allocating any money (19%) or time (18%) to summer maintenance. More than two in five (42%) believed their homes were already safe enough, and 14% did not expect seasonal weather to affect them.
Economic conditions appear to be a constraint for a substantial minority. Almost one in four (23%) respondents said they were unable to spend more on seasonal maintenance because they could not afford it, indicating that cost-of-living pressures are influencing risk prevention decisions. At the same time, more than a quarter (26%) of respondents said they were concerned about their home’s resilience to seasonal weather. This suggests many respondents remain concerned but have not changed their behaviour.
The seasonal findings sit alongside longer-term behavioural trends captured in Allianz Australia’s Home Care Report, released in October, which links homeowner attitudes and practices to rising claim volumes. The study found that 40% of homeowners do not maintain their properties on a consistent basis, instead adopting a “set and forget” approach. This is despite 94% recognising the risks of neglecting maintenance and nearly 90% agreeing it is a worthwhile investment.
The Home Care Report identifies time pressures, financial constraints, and the perceived effort of maintenance as key barriers to routine upkeep. Only 16% of respondents said they perform maintenance when they remember, and 12% reported acting only when prompted by others, allowing minor issues to escalate.
The festive period is one of the busiest times of the year, and Allianz’s research suggests that distraction and competing priorities are recurring contributors to household risk. Only 24% of surveyed Australians said they check their outdoor barbecues for fire hazards or faults before use, even though barbecue activity tends to increase during summer. According to Allianz, individual outdoor barbecue-related claims can reach tens of thousands of dollars.
Device usage is also reflected in recent loss experience. Over the 2024–25 summer, the insurer paid more than $2.6 million in claims involving lithium batteries, aligning with higher use of power tools and gardening equipment during warmer months.
The beginning of summer and the festive period also coincide with a notable claims peak. Allianz reported that Dec. 1 was the single costliest day for home insurance claims in the 2024–25 summer, with losses totalling $5.72 million. While plugged-in festive decorations are widespread, only 9% of respondents said they had purchased a surge protector in the preceding 12 months.
Holiday travel introduces further exposure. The research shows that 40% of Australians plan to visit family or friends over the holiday period, and 24% expect to take day trips. However, only 53% said they secure their property against robbery when away for two or more nights, and 41% ask a neighbour or friend to check on the home. Allianz data show that theft claims rose to $1.62 million over the two weeks spanning the holiday period last year.
“Our homes are a hub of celebration and relaxation during summer, but they’re also vulnerable when left unprotected. With claims often increasing over the summer period, it’s vital to put simple precautions in place such as inspecting your BBQ for leaks and faults, securing loose outdoor items to minimise storm hazards, and ensuring all doors, windows, and locks are properly secured before heading away. These small steps can make a big difference in ensuring your home is well-maintained and you are able to enjoy the holiday season over summer,” said Luke Whenman, chief claims officer, Allianz Australia.
