Nearmap Data Shows Highly Vulnerable Properties 3.6x More Likely to Suffer Severe Bushfire Damage — Nearmap Pty Ltd

Event summary

Nearmap's analysis of 36,012 buildings affected by the January 2026 Victorian bushfires found highly vulnerable properties were 3.6x more likely to be destroyed or badly damaged than least vulnerable ones.
Among properties close to the fire front, 6.6% of the most vulnerable group were destroyed or badly damaged, compared with 1.8% of the least vulnerable.
The analysis highlights the limitations of broad hazard assessments in identifying individual property vulnerabilities.
Defensible space was found to be a consistent factor in property survival, with surviving homes having more cleared ground.
Nearmap's Bushfire Vulnerability Score demonstrated a pronounced concentration of losses among the most vulnerable properties.

The big picture

Nearmap's findings underscore the growing importance of granular property intelligence in the insurance industry, particularly as climate patterns like El Niño increase bushfire risks. The analysis challenges traditional hazard assessments, highlighting the need for precise, property-level data to accurately gauge vulnerability. This shift towards detailed property intelligence could redefine underwriting standards and risk management strategies in bushfire-prone regions.

What we're watching

Risk Assessment Evolution: How insurers will integrate property-level intelligence into underwriting and claims processes to move beyond postcode-level assessments.
Prevention and Mitigation: Whether property condition, roof characteristics, vegetation, and defensible space will become key factors in loss-control programs and prevention efforts.
Data Utilization: The pace at which insurers adopt pre- and post-event imagery to establish baselines and assess changes for more informed decision-making.