Suncorp Group Ltd.

10/14/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/13/2026 18:21

Severe storms don't have a permanent postcode

Severe storms don't have a permanent postcode

October 14, 2026

New analysis of AAMI and Suncorp Insurance's claims data has revealed an alarming trend across multiple Australian states, highlighting that no community is immune to the impacts of severe storms.

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#Key takeaways

  • Severe storm impacts are becoming less predictable, with claims data showing hotspots shifting across many Australian states over the past five years.
  • More communities are appearing in AAMI and Suncorp Insurance storm claims data, highlighting that severe weather can affect households almost anywhere, not just traditional storm-prone areas.
  • A quieter spring doesn't mean no risk, with households urged to prepare for severe weather before storm season begins.

Think you know where severe storms are most likely to strike in your state? Think again. New analysis shows many states no longer have a single, consistent storm hotspot. Instead, a growing number of suburbs are appearing in severe storm claims data, highlighting just how unpredictable storm impacts can be from year to year.

New Suncorp research, analysing five years of claims data from AAMI and Suncorp Insurance reveals while some regions continue to experience repeated storm activity, many states are seeing storm impacts spread across a wider range of communities.

In Queensland alone, the data analysis of more than 126,000 home insurance claims reveals Brisbane, the Fraser Coast, Far North Queensland and the Gold Coast have all emerged as major severe storm hotspots at different times in the past five years.

#Queensland

Financial Year

#1 Home Claims Hotspot

FY22

Bracken Ridge

FY23

Maryborough

FY24

Gympie

FY25

Runaway Bay

FY26

Manly West

Bracken Ridge in Queensland recorded the state's highest number of home extreme weather claims in FY22 with the devastating February and March flood event across Southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales.

Claims data from New South Wales identifies a similar trend, with the impact of major storm damage leading to a different storm hotspot every year.

#New South Wales

Financial Year

#1 Home Claims Hotspot

FY22

Lismore

FY23

Belmont

FY24

Rutherford

FY25

Banora Point

FY26

Gwandalan

Similar unpredictability is seen in Victoria, where the leading hotspot moved from Werribee (FY22) to Shepparton (FY23), Mulgrave (FY24), Highton (FY25) and back to Werribee (FY26).

#Victoria

Financial Year

#1 Home Claims Hotspot

FY22

Werribee

FY23

Shepparton

FY24

Mulgrave

FY25

Highton

FY26

Werribee

Western Australia and South Australia seem to be the only outliers to this trend, with Halls Head in WA continually appearing as the top storm hotspot in four out of the five years analysed, and Aberfoyle Park in SA taking the top hotspot title for three out of five years.

#Western Australia

Financial Year

#1 Home Claims Hotspot

FY22

Halls Head

FY23

Halls Head

FY24

Waikiki

FY25

Halls Head

FY26

Halls Head

#South Australia

Financial Year

#1 Home Claims Hotspot

FY22

Salisbury

FY23

Aberfoyle Park

FY24

Aberfoyle Park

FY25

Aberfoyle Park

FY26

Port Pirie South

While some suburbs do feature more than once across five years, the growing number of locations appearing in the data demonstrates that severe weather can affect communities almost anywhere.

Suncorp Executive General Manager Home Insurance Anna Cartwright said the analysis highlighted the importance of being storm-ready in every Australian community.

"Five years of claims data tells us one thing very clearly: no community should assume it's immune to severe storm impacts," Ms Cartwright said.

"Some communities appear in our claims data time and again, while others can go from barely featuring one year to becoming a major hotspot the next.

Suncorp Executive General Manager Home Insurance Anna Cartwright

The lesson isn't to focus on which suburb topped the list last year. It's that every household should prepare for severe storms before it arrives.

Suncorp warns residents not to be complacent in a "less active" Spring season

Suncorp Insurance and AAMI's findings reinforce the importance of preparing your home for severe weather, regardless of where you live or whether your area is considered a traditional storm hotspot. While forecasts indicate significant weather activity may be less frequent than normal this spring, severe thunderstorms, damaging winds, hail and heavy rainfall remain possible across the country.

Suncorp Severe Weather Forecaster Justin Noonan said seasonal outlooks could indicate broad weather patterns but could not identify exactly where the next severe thunderstorm would strike.

"A quieter season does not mean a risk-free season," Mr Noonan said.

"While this Spring is expected to be less active than average, Australians should still be prepared for severe thunderstorms, with damaging winds continuing to pose a separate risk.

"The claims data shows severe storms can strike almost anywhere, which is why every household should prepare for severe weather regardless of whether your suburb has appeared on a hotspot list before."

Prepare your home ahead of storm season

AAMI and Suncorp Insurance, alongside partners SES NSW, SES Victoria and SES Queensland, encourage all Australians to consider these top tips ahead of the active storm season this summer.

  • Inspect your roof and repair damaged or loose tiles, eaves, and fittings.
  • Secure or put away loose items around your backyard or balcony.
  • Trim trees and branches that could fall onto your home or car, taking care around powerlines.
  • Clean gutters, downpipes and drains of leaves and debris.
  • Park vehicles undercover, or away from trees, powerlines, and waterways if cover is unavailable.
  • Prepare an emergency kit with essential supplies, medications, important documents, a torch, batteries.
Suncorp Group Ltd. published this content on October 14, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 14, 2026 at 00:21 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]