Brokers be ready to become true risk advisors - because your clients are crying out for more information if new statistics surrounding The Natural Hazards Portal are any indication.
Managed by the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake (NHC), it has seen nearly 85,000 unique visitors over the past year, highlighting a marked rise in the public’s engagement with natural hazard risk information in New Zealand.
The portal, which has been in operation for two years, is designed to provide open access to data on natural hazards and settled insurance claims, supporting both the general public and industry stakeholders in understanding local risks.
According to Sarah-Jayne McCurrach, head of risk reduction at NHC, the portal was established to make hazard information and claims data more accessible.
“Given we live in one of the riskiest countries in the world for natural hazards, we are pleased to see the increasing appetite for natural hazard risk information from New Zealanders,” she said.
The portal’s interactive features allow users to search for settled EQCover and NHCover claims by property or region, providing details on claim types and the nature of the hazards involved
NHC reports that 16% of portal users downloaded hazard information relevant to their current or prospective property.
Additionally, more than half of visitors reported taking steps to improve their resilience, such as reviewing their insurance policies or securing household items.
Recent research conducted by NielsenIQ indicates that consideration of natural hazard risk is becoming standard practice among property buyers.
The study found that 91% of those purchasing homes now assess hazard risk as part of their decision-making process.
Furthermore, 70% of homeowners have taken measures to protect their property, land, or contents from potential hazard-related damage.
“We’re seeing a real shift in awareness. More people are seeking out natural hazard information and using it to make informed decisions about their homes and safety,” McCurrach said. “The portal is helping turn awareness into action – and ultimately resilience.”
During its first year, the portal informed over 57,000 users about the effects of past natural hazards on properties.
According to NielsenIQ, 53% of users took proactive steps to enhance their resilience after using the portal, with actions such as updating insurance coverage and securing heavy furniture being among the most common.
The NHC is currently working on expanding the portal’s capabilities. Planned updates include the integration of local and regional hazard maps with existing claims data, which will provide users with a more comprehensive view of risks in their area.
The next phase of development will be piloted in the Bay of Plenty region, with national implementation to follow.
Future features will also allow users to access modelled risk scenarios and conduct property-level risk assessments.
