About 76% of RACT members believe more must be done to prepare for natural disasters, including 48% who feel it is extremely important, according to a survey by the Tasmanian motoring club.

Nearly half say better information about ways to protect their homes would help; 40% want government subsidies for building improvements; 37% call for better information about insurance coverage; and 30% think government subsidies to reduce home insurance costs would help.

About 42% say rising premiums are an extreme worry, with more concern among those in higher-risk areas, RACT says.

“What came back was clear. Tasmanians are actively interested in this issue, many concerned about the potential impacts on their community more than themselves, and importantly they want to be part of the solution,” group CEO Mark Mugnaioni said. “There was strong support for measures that reduce risk … Many also want targeted support to act themselves.

“While discussions around insurance affordability are often framed as a cost-of-living issue, they cannot be solved without tackling the underlying factors driving insurance risk.”