Suncorp and IAG-owned NRMA Insurance will offer premium discounts to home policyholders who use a self-assessment app to improve their bushfire risk.

Households that complete the app’s bushfire resilience rating assessment and strengthen their properties’ defences accordingly will be given discounted premiums.

The app, a federally funded risk mitigation tool launched last October, measures the resilience of individual homes to local bushfire risk and more than 19,000 have used the free tool since its launch by the Resilient Building Council.

About 6600 households have taken at least four actions recommended by the app, investing an estimated $44 million in resilient home improvements, according to the council.

“Helping people take action and reduce their insurance premiums through the free app is a game-changer for the one million households living in bushfire risk areas across Australia,” council founder and CEO Kate Cotter said.

“The resilience ratings can help transform Australia’s risk into resilience, rapidly. Every action a household takes, big or small, helps make our communities stronger, safer and insurable.”

Insurance Council of Australia CEO Andrew Hall says the assessment empowers individuals to improve the resilience of their homes, paving way for a more resilient Australia.

“Getting this right means Australians can not only protect their home from the full extent of possible damage, but it has the potential to reduce insurance premiums too,” he said in a LinkedIn post today.

“By prioritising resilience in our homes, we pave the way for building a more resilient Australia – but we need to keep the momentum going.

“The Insurance Council is looking forward to seeing an expansion of the Resilience Ratings Scheme across the nation, not just for bushfire but also threats like flood and cyclone.”

Mr Hall was in Canberra this morning to discuss the steps insurers are taking to recognise household resilience and mitigation works.

Suncorp CEO Consumer Insurance Lisa Harrison and NRMA Insurance CEO Julie Batch joined Mr Hall this morning meeting Emergency Services Minister Senator Murray Watt, Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones, Ms Cotter and other stakeholders.

Mr Watt says the app is helping Australians make their homes safer and also delivering premium relief for households.

Policyholders who get a bushfire resilience rating certification of three stars or more through the app will get pricing discounts, Suncorp and NRMA Insurance said.

Ms Harrison says insurers play a huge role in getting homeowners and communities back on their feet after a bushfire.

“We welcome the opportunity to support this initiative to arm homeowners with information to help build their bushfire resilience,” she said.

Ms Batch says bushfires pose a critical threat to properties and lives across the country and the impact of these tragic events can last for generations.

“We are delighted to see the early uptake of people utilising the app, taking action to understand their bushfire risk and improve their household resilience. We welcome the opportunity to support this initiative to arm homeowners with information to help build their bushfire resilience.”