Home and Contents Insurance Policies for Every Australian

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As an Australian homeowner, it's essential to have the right insurance coverage for your home and contents. You can choose from various types of policies, including comprehensive, third-party property damage, and third-party liability.

Comprehensive policies, for instance, can cover damage to your home and contents from natural disasters, theft, and vandalism. This type of policy typically has a higher premium but provides more comprehensive coverage.

In Australia, you can purchase home and contents insurance from various providers, including popular options like NRMA and RACQ. These providers often offer flexible policy options and discounts for bundling multiple policies.

Choosing the right policy for your needs can be overwhelming, but understanding your options is key. By doing your research and comparing policies, you can find the best coverage for your home and contents at a price that fits your budget.

Why Choose QBE?

QBE has been insuring Australians for over 130 years.

They've been recognized for their exceptional quality home and contents insurance, winning Mozo's 2023 Exceptional Quality Home & Contents Insurance Award.

QBE provides a 24/7 friendly claims service, so you can get help whenever you need it.

Their legal liability cover goes up to $30 million, giving you peace of mind in case of unexpected events.

Awards-Winning

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We're proud of our reputation for excellence, with numerous awards to our name.

Mozo awarded us its 2023 Mozo Experts Choice Award for Exceptional Quality Home & Contents Insurance.

We've been named Finder's Green Insurer of the Year in 2024, a recognition we're honoured to receive.

This is the fifth year we've received this award, a testament to our commitment to sustainability.

A big thank you to our customers, people, and partners for helping us enable a more resilient planet.

We've also been awarded the 2022 Personal Lines Mansfield Award, recognising our claims excellence in the Australian insurance industry.

This award highlights the vital role that claims professionals play in the insurance industry and recognises those achieving excellence in this field.

Best by State

At QBE, we understand that homeowners insurance needs can vary greatly depending on where you live. We offer tailored coverage options to meet the unique demands of different states.

Florida, for example, requires homeowners insurance policies that cover damage from hurricanes, which are a common occurrence in the state.

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If you're a homeowner in Texas, you'll want to consider policies that cover damage from wildfires, which are a growing concern in the region.

California homeowners, on the other hand, need policies that cover damage from earthquakes, which are a significant risk in the state.

New York and New Jersey homeowners, however, face different challenges, including damage from nor'easters and storm surges.

Here are some of the states we offer coverage in:

  • Florida
  • Texas
  • California
  • New York
  • New Jersey

Landlords

As a landlord, you know how important it is to protect your investment. Building and/or contents insurance for residential landlords is a must-have.

You've likely seen firsthand how quickly unexpected events can turn into costly repairs. With QBE, you can have peace of mind knowing your property is covered.

Their insurance policies are designed to meet the unique needs of landlords, so you can focus on what matters most - finding great tenants and maintaining a successful rental property.

What's Included

Home and contents insurance can cover your property and belongings in case of fire, storm damage, theft and more.

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Some standard features of home insurance include protection against fire, storm damage, and theft.

QBE Home Insurance, for example, covers your property and belongings in case of unexpected events.

This type of insurance can also provide financial assistance if you're unable to live in your home due to damage or destruction.

Home and contents insurance can provide peace of mind, knowing that your property and belongings are protected.

It's worth noting that different insurance providers may offer varying levels of coverage, so it's essential to review your policy carefully.

Home insurance can cover the cost of repairs or rebuilding your home if it's damaged or destroyed.

This can be a significant financial burden, but with home insurance, you can rest assured that you're protected.

Saving on Premium

Saving on Premium can be a game-changer for your wallet. Reading the Additional Information Guide can provide valuable insights into premiums, excesses, and claims.

You can reduce the cost of your home and contents insurance premium by following some simple tips. One way to do this is by reading the Additional Information Guide.

Some ways to save on your premium include reading more about premiums, excesses, and claims in the Additional Information Guide. This can help you make informed decisions about your insurance policy.

Coverage Details

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Coverage Details can be a bit tricky to understand, but don't worry, I've got you covered. Home contents insurance usually covers your personal property, whether it's in your home or somewhere else, from covered perils such as fire, theft, or falling objects.

Most policies have sublimits for especially valuable items like jewelry, fine art, or watercraft. For example, Allstate's policy has a sublimit of $100 for money and coins, while Farmers' policy has a sublimit of $5,000 for stolen jewelry and furs, with a maximum of $1,000 per item.

You can create an inventory of your belongings using a pen and paper, or a mobile app, to determine how much coverage you need. The total value of your possessions will help you decide on the right policy.

Expand your knowledge: Renters Insurance Coverage

How Much Coverage?

Homeowners insurance tends to cover personal property at a value ranging from 50% to 70% of the insurance value of the structure.

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To determine how much coverage you need, you'll want to create an inventory of all your belongings. This can be done by writing a list of your belongings with serial numbers, keeping photos and receipts, or using a mobile app to create a digital inventory.

Most people underestimate how much their personal property is worth in total, but this makes sense given that you're tallying up years' worth of purchases.

You can choose a coverage limit for renters insurance, allowing you to pay for just enough to cover the total value of your possessions.

Your maximum coverage can be affected by how your policy calculates value and sublimits on specific types of property.

Here are some key factors to consider when determining how much coverage you need:

Guarantee on Repairs

If you're looking for peace of mind when it comes to repairs, you'll be happy to know that our home insurance policy includes a guarantee on home repairs made by our repairer.

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This guarantee ensures that any repairs made to your home are of high quality and meet the necessary standards.

You can rest assured that the repairer we select and authorise will do a great job, and if they don't, you're protected.

Here are some key details about our guarantee on repairs:

  • Guarantee on buildings repairs if we have selected and authorised the repairer.

So, if you're concerned about the quality of repairs, our guarantee on repairs is definitely something to consider.

Who and What is Covered?

Homeowners insurance policies typically cover many items that contents insurance doesn't, such as carpeting, boilers, and appliances like washing machines. If you rent, your landlord's homeowners coverage should apply to these items.

Your personal property is usually covered by home contents insurance, whether it's in your home or somewhere else, from covered perils like fire, theft, or falling objects. This protection extends throughout your home, covering things owned by guests or relatives that live in your home.

Home contents insurance typically covers up to $30 million in legal liability, which can provide peace of mind if you're a homeowner. However, this coverage may not be enough if you have a business that operates from your home.

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A key thing to note is that home contents insurance usually doesn't cover property already insured under its own policy, such as a car. This means you'll need separate insurance for your vehicle.

Here's a breakdown of what's usually covered and what's not:

Keep in mind that your policy's covered categories and limits may differ, so it's essential to review your policy details.

Sublimits on Valuables

Most contents insurance policies come with sublimits on valuable items, which means you'll only be compensated up to a certain amount for specific types of property.

These sublimits can vary depending on the insurance company and the type of item, with some policies having lower sublimits than others.

For example, a policy from Allstate may only cover stolen jewelry and furs up to $500, while a policy from Farmers may cover up to $5,000.

Some sublimits also include a lower per-item limit, which means you'll only be compensated up to a certain amount for each individual item.

Credit: youtube.com, Understanding Sublimits on Your Insurance Policy

For instance, a policy from Allstate may have a sublimit of $100 for money and coins, with a maximum of $250 per item.

Here's a comparison of sublimits found in three sample homeowners policies:

Some policies may also have specific exclusions for certain types of property, so it's essential to review your policy carefully to understand what's covered and what's not.

Policies and Solutions

If you're looking for a home insurance policy, you have several options to consider. The average cost of home insurance can vary depending on several factors, but it's essential to find a policy that fits your budget.

To get started, you can explore the cheapest home insurance options available in the market. According to our research, some of the best home insurance companies offer competitive rates and comprehensive coverage.

Here's a quick rundown of the top home insurance companies and their average costs:

Remember, these costs are only estimates, and your actual premium may vary based on your location, property value, and other factors.

Find the Right Solution

A Home Insurance Policy
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To find the right solution, you need to consider a few key factors.

Start by researching the best home insurance companies, as they can offer a range of coverage options and competitive pricing.

The cheapest home insurance is often a top priority, but keep in mind that it may not always be the best value.

The average cost of home insurance can vary significantly depending on your location and the value of your home.

To get a more accurate estimate, use a home insurance calculator to determine your specific needs and costs.

Renters and Strata Owners

Renters and strata owners have specific needs when it comes to contents insurance. If you're renting a property, you'll want to make sure your belongings are protected against damage or loss caused by storms, fires, theft, floods, and more.

You can get cover for up to $30 million in legal liability, which is a significant amount of protection. This is especially important if you're renting a property and could be held responsible for any damage to the property.

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Contents insurance for renters and strata owners also covers your belongings while you're moving to a new residence. This means you can focus on getting settled without worrying about your stuff.

Here are some key benefits of contents insurance for renters and strata owners:

  • Cover for damage or loss caused by storm, fire, theft, flood and more
  • Up to $30 million legal liability cover
  • Contents cover while moving to your new residence
  • Electrical motor burnout cover
  • Contents cover for up to 60 days at your old and new home
  • Temporary accommodation if your home isn’t liveable due to damage by an insured event
  • Environmental upgrades

Specific Policies

Home and contents insurance policies can be tailored to suit your specific needs.

A standard policy typically covers damage to your home and contents due to events like theft, fire, and storm damage, with some policies also covering accidental damage.

If you live in a flood-prone area, you may want to consider a policy that specifically covers flood damage, which can be a costly and time-consuming process to repair.

Some policies may also offer additional features such as home emergency assistance, which can provide help with tasks like burst pipes and electrical faults.

You can also opt for a policy that covers your home and contents worldwide, which can be useful if you're a frequent traveler or have family living abroad.

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It's essential to carefully review your policy documents to understand what's covered and what's not, to avoid any unexpected surprises.

You can also choose to increase your policy excess, which can lower your premiums, but keep in mind that you'll need to pay more out of pocket in the event of a claim.

Calculators

Calculators can be a valuable tool in determining how much you should be insured for. Our Home Insurance calculators are designed to help you accurately reflect the cost to rebuild your property and replace your contents.

Using our calculators as a guide is a good idea, as it can save you from having to pay the difference out of your own pocket if you're insured for less than the replacement value of your home and contents.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 80% rule in homeowners insurance?

The 80% rule in homeowners insurance requires policyholders to have coverage equal to at least 80% of their home's total replacement value to ensure full payment of damages. This ensures homeowners can afford to rebuild or repair their home after a loss.

How much is home insurance on a $300,000 house?

The average annual cost of home insurance for a $300,000 house is $2,304, which breaks down to about $192 per month.

What is building and contents insurance?

Building insurance covers the physical structure of your property, while contents insurance covers your belongings and valuables inside it. Understanding the difference between these two types of insurance is crucial to ensure you're properly protected.

Is it best to get buildings and contents insurance together?

Yes, getting buildings and contents insurance together from the same provider can simplify the claims process and save you time and money. This is because it eliminates potential policy disputes and reduces the number of excess payments you'll need to make.

Is it worth getting contents insurance?

Yes, getting contents insurance is a good idea to protect your possessions from costly damage or loss due to unexpected events. It can save you a significant amount of money in the long run.

Virgil Wuckert

Senior Writer

Virgil Wuckert is a seasoned writer with a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. With a background in insurance and construction, he brings a unique perspective to his writing, tackling complex topics with clarity and precision. His articles have covered a range of categories, including insurance adjuster and roof damage assessment, where he has demonstrated his ability to break down complex concepts into accessible language.

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