Short answer: If a storm or power surge damages your appliances, make sure everything is safe first, then check your home and contents insurance, since many policies cover surge or electrical motor damage. If the surge came from an Ausgrid network incident, you can lodge a claim with Ausgrid, but claims are capped at $5,000, need proof of loss and can’t double up with insurance. A licensed electrician can check your installation and write a report on the damage.
After a big storm, it’s common to find the TV dead, the modem fried or the garage door motor silent. Sometimes it’s a lightning surge, sometimes a fault on the network, and sometimes something in your own wiring. Here’s what to do, step by step, and how to make a claim.
Step 1: safety first
- If power lines are down, stay at least 8 metres away and call Ausgrid on 13 13 88. See Ausgrid’s emergency information.
- If there’s smoke, burning smell, sparking or heat at your switchboard or outlets, turn off the main switch if it’s safe and call an electrician.
- Don’t plug damaged appliances back in to test them.
- If someone has had a shock, call 000. See what to do in an electrical emergency.
Step 2: record the damage
Before anything is thrown out:
- photograph damaged items, model plates and any scorch marks
- write down the date, time and what happened (lights flickering, a bang, a storm)
- keep the damaged items, because insurers or Ausgrid may want them inspected
- find receipts or proof of purchase
- note neighbours’ experiences, if they lost power or appliances too
Step 3: check your insurance
Ausgrid’s claims page recommends contacting your insurer first, as your loss may be covered. Many home and contents policies offer “new for old” replacement and cover fusion or motor burnout, and some cover food spoilage. Check your policy wording and any excess.
Ausgrid’s power surges page also notes that the Insurance Council of Australia urges households to check their policies for power surge cover.
Step 4: an Ausgrid claim (if it was a network issue)
If the damage was caused by an incident on Ausgrid’s network, you may be eligible for compensation. According to Ausgrid’s claims page:
| Point | What Ausgrid says |
|---|---|
| Evidence | Claims need proof of loss, such as receipts, repair reports and photos |
| Cap | Claims are capped at $5,000 |
| Repair vs replace | Ausgrid prioritises repairs over replacement |
| Replacement value | Based on the age of the item |
| Double claiming | You must confirm you haven’t claimed from another source, including insurance |
| Timing | Ausgrid aims to respond to most claims within 90 days |
Ausgrid also lists situations that may not be compensated, such as some natural disasters and events outside its control. Read the page before lodging. If you’re unhappy with the outcome, Ausgrid explains how to ask for a review, and the Energy and Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON) can investigate complaints.
What an electrician can do
A licensed electrician can:
- check your switchboard, safety switches and wiring for damage
- test circuits to make sure they’re safe to use again
- identify whether the damage points to an internal fault, such as a loose neutral, or an external event
- write a report describing what was found, which insurers or Ausgrid may ask for
- repair or replace damaged fixed equipment, like hardwired appliances, garage door power or outdoor lights
An appliance repairer is usually the right person to assess the appliances themselves.
Was it really a surge?
Not every storm-day failure is a surge. Other common causes include:
- water getting into outdoor fittings, tripping the safety switch; see power tripping when it rains
- a loose neutral, which can cause high voltage on some circuits and damage appliances
- old appliances that happened to fail at the same time
An electrician’s testing helps separate these, which matters for a claim.
Reduce the risk next time
Ausgrid suggests:
- unplugging appliances and disconnecting the TV aerial during storms
- using surge protector power boards
- buying appliances with built-in surge protection
- getting professional surge protection advice from a licensed electrician
- having appropriate insurance
A surge protection device at the switchboard adds another layer. See is whole-home surge protection worth it?.
Storm or surge damage at home? We check your switchboard and wiring, make it safe and write up what we find for your claim. See our emergency electrician page or call 0421 772 661.
We help after storms in Hurlstone Park, Canada Bay, Rozelle and Balmain. See also surge protection.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim power surge damage from Ausgrid?
If the damage was caused by an incident on Ausgrid’s network, you may be able to claim. Claims need proof of loss, are capped at $5,000, and can’t double up with insurance.
Does home insurance cover power surge damage?
Many home and contents policies do, sometimes as fusion or motor burnout cover. Check your policy wording and excess.
Should I contact my insurer or Ausgrid first?
Ausgrid recommends contacting your insurer first, because your policy may offer better cover, such as new-for-old replacement.
Do I need an electrician’s report for a surge claim?
Insurers or Ausgrid may ask for repair reports or an assessment. An electrician can check your installation and document what they found.