NATIONAL INSURANCE GUIDE

Home and Contents Insurance in Australia

Home and Contents Insurance in Australia: Comprehensive Guide for 2025

In Australia, home and contents insurance is a vital safeguard against unexpected financial losses resulting from damage, theft, or other insured events. Whether you own or rent your home, protecting your property and valuables through a robust insurance policy is essential. This guide offers an in-depth look at the scope of coverage, common inclusions, exclusions, and tips for choosing the best policy in 2025.

What Is Home and Contents Insurance?

Home and contents insurance is commonly sold as a combined policy but consists of two distinct parts:

Home Building Insurance: Covers the physical structure of your home, including fixtures and domestic outbuildings like sheds and granny flats.
Contents Insurance: Protects your personal belongings, such as furniture, electronics, clothing, and valuables, against loss, theft, or damage.

You can also purchase building-only or contents-only policies based on your needs, but combined policies offer comprehensive protection in one package.

What Does Home Building Insurance Cover?

Most home building policies cover damage or loss caused by insured events such as:

Natural disasters: Fire, storms, cyclones, floods, earthquakes, and hail.
Impact damage: Damage caused by vehicles, falling trees, or flying debris.
Vandalism or malicious damage.
Escape of water: From burst pipes or leaking appliances, subject to maintenance conditions.
Legal liability: Coverage if someone is injured on your property and sues you.
Professional fees and rebuilding costs: Including architect, engineer, and surveyor fees.
Temporary accommodation: If your home is uninhabitable due to an insured claim.

Typical insured buildings include:

Covered Building Elements	Examples
Main dwelling	House structure, roof, walls
Domestic outbuildings	Sheds, carports, garages
Fixed outdoor items	Pools, spas, fences, pergolas
Fixed indoor fixtures	Built-in ovens, dishwashers, ceiling fans

Many insurers, such as ANZ and Allianz, provide a safety net (e.g., 25% over the sum insured) if rebuilding costs exceed your declared amount.

What Does Contents Insurance Cover?

Contents insurance policies cover household items generally valued for replacement, including:

Electrical appliances and electronics (TVs, computers, phones)
Furniture and furnishings (beds, lounges, rugs, carpets)
Clothing, jewelry, and personal accessories
Recreational and sporting equipment (bikes, surfboards, gym gear)
Tools and garden equipment
Media collections (CDs, DVDs, records)

Your contents are usually insured for loss or damage caused by:

Theft or burglary
Fire, storms, floods, and other natural disasters
Accidental damage (may require an optional cover)
Damage sustained while moving house or in transit
Legal liability relating to contents

Portable items like jewellery or artwork might require additional valuables cover if they exceed certain thresholds (commonly $2,500). Also, valuables used outside the home often need individual coverage.

Optional and Additional Covers

Many insurers offer optional add-ons to extend your home and contents cover, including:

Accidental damage cover: Extends protection to unforeseen accidental breakage.
Flood cover: Important in flood-prone areas, often excluded from standard policies.
Motor burnout: Covers household appliances damaged by electrical faults.
Domestic workers’ compensation: For household employees.
Loss of rent: If you rent out your home and it becomes uninhabitable due to an insured event.

These additional covers usually come at extra cost but enhance protection and peace of mind.

What Is Not Covered?

Common exclusions include:

Damage caused by wear and tear or lack of maintenance.
Damage from pests or vermin.
Loss due to illegal acts by the insured or household members.
Damage from earthquake or tsunami unless specifically included.
Damage from war, terrorism, or nuclear incidents.

Always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) carefully to understand policy limitations and exclusions.

How Is the Cover Amount Determined?

For building insurance, cover should reflect the full rebuild cost of your home—not the market value or land value.
For contents, estimate the replacement cost of all household goods.
Many insurers provide online calculators to assist.
Underinsurance can lead to out-of-pocket expenses if claims exceed sum insured.

Making a Claim: What to Expect

Notify your insurer promptly after damage or loss.
Document damage with photos and keep receipts for repairs or replacements.
Use insurer-approved repairers if required.
Understand your excess and how it affects claim payouts.
Insurers like Allianz and NRMA have streamlined online claims processes for faster service.

Tips for Choosing the Right Home and Contents Insurance

Compare policies from multiple insurers considering coverage, exclusions, and premiums.
Check insurer financial strength and claims reputation.
Confirm coverage for regional risks, such as floods or bushfires.
Ensure your valuables are adequately covered and consider schedules or endorsements.
Review policies annually and update cover if you renovate or acquire valuable items.

AUSTRALIA

Car Insurance in Australia – Car Insurance in Australia

Health Insurance in Australia – Health Insurance in Australia

Life and Income Protection Insurance in Australia – Life and Income Protection Insurance in Australia

Travel Insurance for Australians – Travel Insurance for Australians

Insurance Australia Group (IAG) – Insurance Australia Group (IAG)

Medibank Private – Medibank Private

QBE Insurance – QBE Insurance

Suncorp Group – Suncorp Group

TAL Life Limited – TAL Life Limited

NATIONAL INSURANCE GUIDE

Home and Contents Insurance in Australia