Insurance for small businesses with bushfire risks?

What are the key risks posed by bushfires?

Research shows that bushfire risks are rising across Australia, especially in coastal WA, central Queensland and in large parts of NSW, Victoria and the ACT. Bushfires can spread with little warning and can be unpredictable, with the potential to cause damage due to smoke or water as well as the fire itself. Even businesses outside of the fire zones can feel the impact of bushfires, with supply chain disruption affecting their ability to access goods and demand surge increasing the difficulty of accessing some services.

“Bushfire seasons are getting longer and catastrophic events are increasing, as hotter, drier conditions make fuels more combustible.”

Bushfire Risk: changing trends across Australia, IAG, 2020.

Who should consider insurance?

While you can’t control the weather, insurance can help to protect small businesses across Australia from the risks bushfires pose to both their premises and trading. Contrary to popular belief, bushfires are not just a threat facing rural businesses. Thanks to the urban sprawl of our cities, outer metropolitan suburbs are meeting the bush and increasing the risk to more businesses Australia-wide.