Over Half of Australian Homes Uninsurable

Research from Monash University and AON indicates that over half of all Australian homes are now uninsurable due to risks associated with coastal flooding and erosion, with approximately 370,000 residential and 120,000 commercial properties excluded from insurance coverage. Nearly 500,000 properties face a one percent annual risk of coastal flooding, translating to a 25% chance over a typical 30-year mortgage. Concurrently, a report by the Actuaries Institute reveals a 30% increase in the number of households experiencing home insurance affordability stress, rising to 1.6 million in the past year, as premiums have surged, particularly in flood and cyclone-prone areas. The average household is now spending over 9.6 weeks of their gross income on home insurance, with premiums rising at a rate surpassing wage growth. Experts warn that these trends are likely to worsen due to the increasing frequency of natural disasters linked to climate change. Advocates call for systemic changes in funding and regulation to address the root causes of rising insurance costs, emphasizing the need to transition away from fossil fuels.