A majority of Australians are heading into winter without completing basic home or vehicle maintenance, according to survey data published by Allianz Australia on June 5, 2026, as the insurer’s own claims figures show the season carries a substantial financial burden for the industry.
Allianz surveyed 1,010 Australians aged 18- to 65-plus through Pureprofile between May 6 and 11, 2026, with the sample drawn in line with Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) census statistics. The results showed that 55% of respondents had done nothing to ready their home for winter this year, while 68% had not carried out any vehicle maintenance ahead of the season. The insurer’s claims data from winter 2025 puts the cost of that inaction in concrete terms. Home and contents claims – excluding classified natural catastrophes – totalled $204.63 million, while motor claims added a further $238.94 million, bringing the combined figure to more than $440 million for a single season. One in five respondents – 20% – said they did not expect seasonal weather to have any impact on them. A further 25% pointed to cost-of-living pressures as the reason maintenance had been pushed back. Both attitudes translate directly into claims exposure.
Weather-related damage was the single largest driver of home insurance claims during winter 2025. Incidents involving rainwater, lightning, and wind collectively generated close to $60 million in claims costs – the highest of any category. Yet only one in four survey respondents said they arrange for their roof or gutters to be inspected before winter arrives. Shez Ford, chief general manager consumer at Allianz Australia, connected the survey findings to broader seasonal trends. “At Allianz, we know winter can bring unpredictable weather and seasonal risks that many Australians might not feel prepared for. The Allianz Prevention: Winter Risk Report provides practical care, helping people understand the common risks that emerge during winter and the small steps in prevention that can help avoid issues down the track,” Ford said.
The financial consequences of heating-related incidents were among the more striking figures in the Allianz data. Individual claims tied to electric blanket faults reached upwards of $65,000, while fireplace and chimney fires produced claims exceeding $20,000 in some cases. The per-claim severity stands in contrast to how few households appear to be checking these appliances: only 19% of respondents said they inspect their electric blanket before winter use, and just 12% look over their fireplace or chimney. Broader fire safety readiness was also limited. Only 15% of respondents said they had a fire blanket on hand, and fewer than half – 48% – had tested their smoke alarms.
NRMA Insurance reported a related pattern in data published on June 1, 2026. Cooking-related fires made up 55% of the insurer’s winter fire claims in 2025, with June standing out as the busiest month for such incidents over the past two years. Accidental fires accounted for a further 20% of winter fire claims, followed by electrical faults at 11%, battery-related incidents at 8%, and heating devices at 4%. Nick Kirkovski, NRMA Insurance executive manager of property and niche claims, pointed to the risk posed by everyday heating habits. “Heating sources can be volatile, particularly when combustible materials such as bedding, clothing, curtains, or firewood are placed too close. Simple things like placing heaters too close to furniture, overloading power outlets, or using worn electric blankets can very quickly turn into a major fire,” Kirkovski said.
Reduced daylight hours during winter create conditions that affect both property security and road safety. Allianz recorded $7.10 million in theft-related home claims and approximately $7.34 million in motor theft claims during winter 2025. Only 18% of survey respondents said they take any additional steps to secure their property during the darker months. Road data from the same period showed animal collision claims rose 64% in winter 2025 against summer 2024-25. Rear-end collisions also increased in both volume and average cost compared with the prior summer, resulting in more than $27 million in claims. Forty-five percent of respondents said they do not adjust their following distance during winter, and only one in three said they drive more carefully in areas where animals are commonly found.
Luke Whenman, chief claims officer at Allianz Australia, said the claims patterns point to preventable losses. “Many of the incidents we see could be prevented through simple maintenance and safety checks ahead of winter, whether that’s inspecting heating appliances, clearing gutters, security-proofing homes in darker conditions, or adjusting driving habits for reduced visibility on the road. Taking small, proactive steps can really help reduce the likelihood of these events that can lead to bigger issues and stress,” Whenman said.
