Maribyrnong Insurance Project

Council partnered with GenWest and the Community Recovery Committee on a project designed to make insurance information more accessible to the community.

The Maribyrnong community were at the forefront of this project, dedicating time to participate in conversations to inform the needs assessment process and supporting the development of the guide. Through this process, it was clear there is a need to create a resource that conveyed complex insurance information in a clear, accessible way. This was how the Flood Insurance Guide: a Maribyrnong Community Initiative was born. 

The following organisations were involved in the creation of the guide:

• Cohealth
• Consumer Action Law Centre
• Disaster Legal Help Victoria
• Financial Counselling Victoria
• The Australian Red Cross
• West Justice.

This page will be updated to reflect any changes within the insurance sector that may impact the accuracy of the guide.

Key considerations

Some considerations to think about based on the information included in the guide are listed below. Please note this is not a comprehensive list. 

• Be aware of the difference between contents, building and home insurance (pages 11-12)
• Consider using tools to help calculate the amount to insure contents and home for (page 12)
• Check your exclusions (what you are not covered for) within the Product Disclosure Statement (page 15) 
• Check your insurance includes coverage for flood and note the difference in types of flooding (page 20)
• Check your Product Disclosure Statement for information on temporary accommodation and think about specific needs you may have for accommodation e.g. wheelchair access or pets - these can be relayed to your insurer after an emergency (page 22)
• If you own a home that is part of an owner's corporation, you can request to see the insurance information. Note that owner's corporation insurance usually only covers structural damage, not contents (page 24)
• Create your own emergency plan (pages 26-27). The Australian Red Cross REDI Plan or the Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness framework are useful templates.
• Consider creating a record of your important or valuable items before an emergency, including receipts, bank statements with purchases, and photos (page 31)
• Consider regular repairs and maintenance to your property - visit the insurance guide for helpful tips to maintain your property (page 32) 

For information on steps to take after an emergency, visit the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) website.

Next steps

The guide is one component of the Maribyrnong Insurance Project. GenWest and Maribyrnong City Council will continue to work together over the coming months to continue to make insurance information accessible through a range of programs.  

This project is made possible with joint funding from the Australian and Victorian Governments through the Community Recovery Hubs program.