CGU and NRMA Insurance has launched a new education program to help Queensland communities better prepare for natural disasters, in support of the Queensland Government’s Get Ready initiative.

The CGU and NRMA Insurance education program will form part of Australia’s high-school business studies curriculum, educating students about the importance of understanding their local risks, anticipating what could happen, and making effective preparations.

Distributed through a range of online channels, the CGU and NRMA Insurance education program has been designed to provide instructional information and foster a new mindset to help Queensland communities bounce back more quickly after a natural disaster.

CGU and NRMA Insurance have also provided additional materials to the Queensland Department of Community Safety, which have been distributed to all of Emergency Management Queensland’s regional networks.

Queensland Minister for Police and Community Safety Jack Dempsey welcomed the new education program.

“I am greatly encouraged by CGU and NRMA Insurance’s determination to help support Queensland communities understand the risks they face and the steps they can take to prepare for natural disasters,” Minister Dempsey said.

“Insurers such as CGU and NRMA Insurance can play an integral role in helping to make our communities safer and more resilient.”

CGU general manager claims Donna Walker underlined the need for all Australians to better understand natural disaster risks and the importance of preparation.

“Many Queenslanders have experienced first-hand the devastation caused by recent natural disasters. Whilst we can’t predict the future, there are many things we can do to prepare for and reduce the impact of extreme weather events,” Walker said.

“Our role as insurers goes beyond paying insurance claims. We want to help individuals and communities become safer and more resilient. A key part of this is to help the next generation who play an increasing role in helping safeguard our communities.”

NRMA Insurance community and alliances manager Megan Lupton stressed that preparation is key to weathering natural perils safely.

“Through increased education and awareness of the risks in a community, people can better prepare their homes and potentially save a lot of the heartache that follows the impact of natural perils,” Lupton said.

“As we know, the best time to prepare for a major weather event is when you are not in the middle of one.”

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