SMS weather alerts
Our SMS weather alerts provide RAA members with free targeted messaging about upcoming severe weather events.
Alerts are targeted based on your registered location. We aim to send alerts in a timely manner to give you time to act and prepare for strong hail, bushfires and more.
If you don't want to receive the alerts, you can send an email request to RAA's hail alert service partner WeatherWatch at support@ewn.com.au to unsubscribe.
Jump to hail alert information
Jump to bushfire alert information
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Why did I receive an SMS weather alert?
You've received an SMS weather alert because you have an RAA insurance policy that may be impacted by a severe weather event. When a severe weather event is expected to impact your registered location, we'll alert you by SMS.
The amount of notice you receive may vary. For example, you might receive 15-45 minutes' notice of large hail.
If you want to opt-out of SMS weather alerts, send an email request to support@ewn.com.au to unsubscribe.
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How often will I receive SMS weather alerts?
The frequency of our SMS weather alerts will vary, subject to climatological factors.
Weather alerts might be infrequent during periods of limited severe weather events, or more frequent during peak seasons. For example, the peak bushfire season occurs between November and April.
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How does RAA source the weather information?
We work with Weatherwatch to deliver our SMS weather alerts. Weatherwatch uses advanced 3D radar technology and a model of the atmosphere to determine realtime weather activity, such as the estimated size of hail within a thunderstorm.
Bushfire alerts are sent in line with CFS' "Watch and Act" and "Emergency Warning" zones.
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How are RAA weather alerts different to Bureau of Meteorology warnings?
Our SMS weather alerts are designed to complement the warnings issued by the Bureau of Meteorology. They provide an additional service for RAA members, providing a more targeted alert for specific locations and a more specific timeframe.
You can visit the Bureau of Meteorology website for more weather related information.
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How do I opt-out from SMS weather alerts?
To unsubscribe from RAA SMS weather alerts, send an email request to our hail alert service partner WeatherWatch at support@ewn.com.au. Once you opt-out, you'll no longer receive SMS weather alerts from us.
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How do I know the alert I've received is from RAA?
Our SMS weather alerts will all have the sender name 'RAA Weather'. If you're unsure about an SMS you've received, you can call us on 8202 4600.
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How do I make an insurance claim for damage from a weather event?
Hail alerts
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Why did I receive a hail alert?
You've received an SMS weather alert because you have an RAA insurance policy that may be impacted by a severe weather event. When a severe weather event is expected to impact your registered location, we'll alert you by SMS.
The amount of notice you receive may vary. For example, you might receive 15-45 minutes' notice of large hail.
If you want to opt-out of SMS weather alerts, send an email request to support@ewn.com.au to unsubscribe.
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What size hail is likely to cause damage?
The size of hail required to cause damage can vary. It often depends on other factors like wind.
The official definition of damaging or severe hail in Australia, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, is hail that is 2cm in diameter or larger. Giant hail (5cm or larger) can crack windows, break car windscreens and cause significant damage to roofs and skylights.
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How do I prepare for a hailstorm?
If you've receive a hail alert, consider your own safety first.
To protect your vehicles, place them under shelter where possible and consider protective covers as an extra precautionary measure.
Proactive preparation and regular maintenance to your roof, drains and downpipes, skylights and windows is your best defence against hail damage to your home.
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Does my RAA insurance policy cover hail damage?
Read your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to understand what's included with your policy, and to understand any exclusions that may apply to your situation.
Bushfire alerts
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Why did I receive a bushfire alert?
We issue an SMS alert to our members when their property is located within a CFS determined bushfire "Watch and Act" or "Emergency Warning" zone and the CFS has issued a relevant warning. This advance notice should allow the timely implementation of bushfire survival plans.
Note, we don't currently send bushfire alerts for "Bushfire Advice" zones.
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What do the different bushfire warnings mean?
Bushfire Advice
A Bushfire Advice message will be issued by the CFS when bushfires pose a threat to property or public safety, or when:
- a bushfire has been reported and is being attended but no further information is available.
- a bushfire is producing smoke in an area that may cause concern to the public.
- there is a need to advise of a specific event.
Bushfire Watch and Act
A Bushfire Watch and Act message is regularly issued by the CFS for bushfires that pose a localised threat to property or public safety where:
- a bushfire is threatening or is a potential threat to public safety in the immediate area of a fire.
- a bushfire is producing smoke in an area that may cause concern to the public on a day of elevated fire danger.
- there is a need to advise of a specific event.
Bushfire Emergency Warning
Bushfire Emergency Warning messages will be issued by the CFS for wide area community effect when:
- an uncontrolled bushfire is burning under Extreme to Catastrophic Fire Weather conditions; and
- the risk of loss of life or threat to properties is almost certain or has occurred; or
- where special circumstances exist, for example when a life or house has been lost.
Additional information is available on the CFS website.
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How do I prepare for a bushfire?
If you've received a bushfire alert, consider your own safety first. Enact your bushfire survival plan.
Proactive preparation and planning for bushfires is key to survival. And regular maintenance to your home is your best defence against bushfire damage.
For information on bushfire preparedness and making your bushfire survival plan, visit the CFS website.
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Does my RAA insurance policy cover fire damage?
Read your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to understand what's included with your policy, and to understand any exclusions that may apply to your situation.
Tips to prepare for a weather event
How to prepare your house for a storm
Things you should know
All weather alert information is issued as accurately and as timely as possible to the best ability of RAA and Weatherwatch.
Due to the volatile nature of weather systems, there may be instances where the information becomes inaccurate or outdated.
It's important to gather your information from as many sources as possible, rather than rely solely on RAA weather alerts.