In a context where climate risks are increasingly prevalent, Suncorp has innovated with the creation of Haven, a digital platform that aims to help Australian homeowners assess and strengthen their homes’ resilience to extreme weather. This new tool, using property-specific data, provides a personalized overview of risks, enabling everyone to better prepare and take action before disasters strike. In 2025, this initiative is even more crucial, as extreme weather events such as storms, bushfires, and floods become more frequent.
Haven: A digital tool for home resilience
Haven stands out for its ability to synthesize complex climate-related data to offer practical recommendations. Homeowners can enter their home address to generate a detailed analysis, including a downloadable report and an explanatory video highlighting vulnerabilities specific to their situation:
- Risk Analysis: The report highlights natural threats such as flooding and storms.
- Personalized Data: The system takes into account historical elements and structural features of the home.
- Practical Recommendations: The advice provided is based on simplified climate data, offering understandable solutions.
This initiative is of major importance in the context of natural disasters, as Suncorp has highlighted that approximately 2.7 million properties in Australia are at high risk from these natural hazards. Suncorp management stated that their goal is to help build a more resilient housing stock nationwide.
An educational approach for homeowners
With the Haven tool, Suncorp aims not only to raise awareness among homeowners about the risks they face, but also to empower them to take action. Lisa Harrison, Suncorp’s General Manager of Consumer Insurance, emphasizes that this tool is the first of its kind designed to educate the general public on measures to improve the resilience of their homes to extreme weather events.
It is essential for homeowners to understand that implementing resilience solutions can significantly reduce property damage, as illustrated by the experience of a Brisbane resident. After experiencing flooding in 2022, he carried out renovations and modified his interior design to mitigate risks. The following year, during a flood crisis exacerbated by a cyclone, his home experienced significantly less damage thanks to these wise investments.
Perspectives on Climate Change and Property Risk
The Haven platform comes at a time when climate data reveals growing challenges for the insurance industry. Indeed, a recent study indicates that at least 652,000 properties in Australia are highly exposed to amplified climate events. Meanwhile, disaster losses by early 2025 are estimated at over $1.5 billion, highlighting the financial challenges these climate crises can generate.
From a risk management perspective, a better understanding of climate science is crucial. Updating risk assessment models is becoming a priority to avoid insurance rate increases for homeowners.
| Type of Risk | Number of Affected Properties | Estimated Losses (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Floods | 1.2 million | $500 million |
| Bushfires | 800,000 | $700 million |
| Storms | 652,000 | $300 million |
The Importance of Resilience in the Face of Extreme Weather
Suncorp’s Haven initiative addresses the growing challenges of an increasingly unpredictable climate. By 2025, insurance companies and homeowners must engage in strategies that go beyond simple protection, integrating proactive solutions to prevent potential damage. Resilience is essential to mitigating financial losses:
- Investments in Prevention: Carry out infrastructure improvements.
- Homeowner Education: Inform residents of steps they can take to improve the safety of their homes.
- Insurer Partnerships: Build strong relationships between insurers and customers to share relevant data.
Understanding Climate Behavior
To develop an effective approach, it is essential to consult summary weather information, such as that provided by Météo France, Météo Consult, or The Weather Channel. These platforms provide alerts on weather risks that can impact properties, while also providing practical advice.
On the one hand, in-depth analysis of climate data will allow homeowners to better anticipate hazards. On the other hand, partnerships with institutions such as MétéoNews and MétéoAlert are essential to ensure accurate and up-to-date information.
Key Factors for Building Resilience in a Changing World
When examining the elements that contribute to resilience, several key factors emerge. It is essential to evaluate not only the structure of the homes, but also the geographic location and local regulations. Therefore, the following criteria must be considered:
- Quality of Materials: Use materials that are resistant to weather and natural disasters.
- Landscaping: Integrate irrigation solutions that minimize flooding.
- Energy Regulations: Comply with energy-efficient building codes.
| Factor | Impact Scale | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Material Quality | High | Use certified weather-resistant materials |
| Landscaping | Medium | Create irrigation systems to prevent flooding |
| Energy Regulations | High | Comply with applicable building codes |
Climate Resilience Feedback and Case Studies
A vital aspect of the Haven platform is the inspiration it can provide to other homeowners. In 2022, Shane, a Brisbane resident, decided to take a proactive approach after witnessing the detrimental effects of repeated flooding. His transformation was complete:
- Elevation of electrical systems: To minimize the risk of short circuits.
- Use of water-resistant materials: To optimize durability.
- Interior redesign: To reduce the risk of flooding.
When faced with further flooding in March 2025, Shane noted that despite the intensity of the weather event, the resilience provided by his choices was decisive. He says: “Despite the severity of the flood, I was able to minimize the damage thanks to my advance preparations. The experience was much less complex thanks to the improvements made.”
Implications for the insurance industry
With a changing climate landscape, insurers, including Suncorp, must adapt their practices. The development of tools like Haven demonstrates a desire to mitigate the economic impacts of claims. The way insurance premiums are calculated should also evolve, relying more heavily on climate-data-driven models and predictive analytics. This includes:
- Integration of data science: For a more valuable assessment of potential risks.
- Customer education: Informing policyholders about their climate risk coverage.
- Strategic partnerships: Collaborating with climate science companies to receive accurate updates. Assessment Element
| Cost Impact | Proposed Strategy | Risk Model |
|---|---|---|
| High | Refine assessments using data science | Customer Education |
| Medium | Raising awareness of the importance of disaster insurance | Partnerships |
| High | Building alliances with climate research institutes |
