The Queensland Government is calling on insurance companies to reward people who design their homes to better withstand flooding with lower premiums.

State Minister for Recovery and Resilience, David Crisafulli, said that insurance companies should offer discounts if property owners prove that they have restumped their houses more securely or above benchmark flood levels, don’t build below stilt homes or even elect to use tiles rather than carpets in downstairs rooms.

“Insurers offer a discount on home and contents insurance for things like security screens, alarms or deadlocks,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“Why not offer discounts to those who choose more resilient building products or raise their house high enough to avoid flooding?”

Mr Crisafulli said residents should also check local council flood maps to determine the flood risk in their street before speaking to insurers.

“At a time when thousands of Queenslanders are picking up the pieces and insurers face big payouts, this is one way we can start to rein in spiralling costs.”