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Compare home and contents insurance

Why compare home and contents insurance? To save money, of course. Our research shows you can save up to $1,653 by switching.

Budget Direct Home & Contents Insurance

Get 30% off

Finder's Top Pick for Most Popular
  • Fire, storm & theft cover
  • Lodge a claim online 24/7
  • Optional sum insured safeguard
Get a quote
Discount applies to first year’s premium for combined policies purchased online. T&Cs apply.
Promoted
1 - 5 of 7
Name Product Finder Rating
Budget Direct Home & Contents Insurance
4.5/5★★★★★
Finder AwardBonus
  • Storm
  • Fire
  • Theft
  • Flood
  • Accidental Damage (e.g TV falls)
  • Impact to home (e.g falling trees)
  • Escaped water (e.g burst pipe)
  • Portable contents (e.g dropped laptop outside of home)
  • + more insured events and other features
  • Storm
  • Fire
  • Theft
  • Flood
  • Accidental Damage (e.g TV falls)
  • Impact to home (e.g falling trees)
  • Escaped water (e.g burst pipe)
  • Portable contents (e.g dropped laptop outside of home)
  • + more insured events and other features
4.5/5★★★★★
Our verdict: The most popular insurer on Finder, Budget Direct prioritises low-cost cover and gives you up to 30% off your first year for new combined policies purchased online. This is a big reason it won this year’s Finder Award for value.
Youi Building and Contents Insurance
4.5/5★★★★★
Best Rated Brand
  • Storm
  • Fire
  • Theft
  • Flood
  • Accidental Damage (e.g TV falls)
  • Impact to home (e.g falling trees)
  • Escaped water (e.g burst pipe)
  • Portable contents (e.g dropped laptop outside of home)
  • + more insured events and other features
  • Storm
  • Fire
  • Theft
  • Flood
  • Accidental Damage (e.g TV falls)
  • Impact to home (e.g falling trees)
  • Escaped water (e.g burst pipe)
  • Portable contents (e.g dropped laptop outside of home)
  • + more insured events and other features
4.5/5★★★★★
Our verdict: Finder’s 2022 Insurer of the Year for Customer Satisfaction and our Top Pick for Fire Damage cover. It’s good if you want a tailored quote over the phone.
QBE Home & Contents Insurance
3.5/5★★★★★
Green CompanyBonus
  • Storm
  • Fire
  • Theft
  • Flood
  • Accidental Damage (e.g TV falls)
  • Impact to home (e.g falling trees)
  • Escaped water (e.g burst pipe)
  • Portable contents (e.g dropped laptop outside of home)
  • + more insured events and other features
  • Storm
  • Fire
  • Theft
  • Flood
  • Accidental Damage (e.g TV falls)
  • Impact to home (e.g falling trees)
  • Escaped water (e.g burst pipe)
  • Portable contents (e.g dropped laptop outside of home)
  • + more insured events and other features
3.5/5★★★★★
Our verdict: Finder's Top Pick for Floods plus cover for other common claims such as fire and theft). Its discount is better than most – 20% off your first year with a combined policy.
Honey Home & Contents Insurance
4.5/5★★★★★
Finder AwardBonus
  • Storm
  • Fire
  • Theft
  • Flood
  • Accidental Damage (e.g TV falls)
  • Impact to home (e.g falling trees)
  • Escaped water (e.g burst pipe)
  • Portable contents (e.g dropped laptop outside of home)
  • + more insured events and other features
  • Storm
  • Fire
  • Theft
  • Flood
  • Accidental Damage (e.g TV falls)
  • Impact to home (e.g falling trees)
  • Escaped water (e.g burst pipe)
  • Portable contents (e.g dropped laptop outside of home)
  • + more insured events and other features
4.5/5★★★★★
Our verdict: Honey gives you $250 smart sensors to reduce accidents and estimates your rebuild costs for you. Honey was a finalist for the comprehensive category in this year’s Finder Awards.
Australia Post Home & Contents Insurance
3.5/5★★★★★
Bonus
  • Storm
  • Fire
  • Theft
  • Flood
  • Accidental Damage (e.g TV falls)
  • Impact to home (e.g falling trees)
  • Escaped water (e.g burst pipe)
  • Portable contents (e.g dropped laptop outside of home)
  • + more insured events and other features
  • Storm
  • Fire
  • Theft
  • Flood
  • Accidental Damage (e.g TV falls)
  • Impact to home (e.g falling trees)
  • Escaped water (e.g burst pipe)
  • Portable contents (e.g dropped laptop outside of home)
  • + more insured events and other features
3.5/5★★★★★
Our verdict: Covers common claims such as fire, storms, floods and rain. It’s also very helpful if you need to rebuild following a disaster. It offers a special safeguard of up to 30%.
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Want to save some serious cash?

We did some research and found that you can save up to $1,653 just by comparing quotes of your home and contents insurance policy.

What is home and contents insurance?

Home

Building cover

This covers the physical structure of your home. It also includes any permanent fixtures like air conditioning units and TV satellites.

Plus symbol

Luggage

Contents cover

This covers the cost of your belongings that may have been lost or damaged because of an insured event. It includes things like your entertainment system, furniture and even food.

How much does home and contents insurance cost?

Based on our research, the cheapest home and contents insurance policy was $118. This premium was based on a home in New South Wales with contents worth $100,000.

Home and contents insurance cost
While this is the cheapest price based on our quotes, it's probably going to be different for your home.

Prices are completely dependent on the value of your home and your stuff. The research below can help you compare between brands and show the difference in price when paying monthly versus annually.

To find out more, you can also head to our guide on average home insurance costs for a state-by-state breakdown.

Brand$500,000 Building - Monthly price$500,000 Building - Annual price$1,000,000 Building - Monthly price$1,000,000 Building - Annual priceGet quote
St. george logo$194.21$2,330.61$309.39$3,712.66More info
Picture not described$194.21$2,330.61$309.39$3,712.66Get quote
Everyday Insurance$155.72$1,668.37$227.42$2,436.63More info
Picture not described$168.39$1,667.29$262.38$2,607.20More info
Real insurance logo$147.92$1,584.75$216.10$2,315.21More info
Coles Insurance$159.72$1,835.16$328.85$3,864.84More info
Domain insure$117.75$1,412.97$144.64$1,735.63
GIO Logo$187.94$1,879.46$289.68$2,896.83More info
Picture not described$133.65 $1,603.82 $133.65 $1,603.82 More info
Budget Direct Logo$160.98$1,615.51$211.01$2,140.13Get quote
Picture not describedING Home Insurance Logo$163.18$1,631.68$212.94$2,161.54More info
Virginmoney logo$163.20$1,631.68$212.95$2,161.54More info
NRMA logo$156.10$1,816.20$177.19 $2,069.30 More info
Huddle home insurance$145.00$1,552.00$212.00$2,269.00More info
Qantas Life Insurance Logo$183.28$1,834.17$239.36$2,429.81More info
Australian seniors$129.77$1,390.36$189.57$2,031.09More info
Picture not described$138.01$157.45$1,490.54$1,889.37Get quote
Learn more about our methodology
  • Quotes were obtained for the same 3 bedroom NSW home in Baulkham Hills owned by a family of 2.
  • Building replacement costs for all quotes were $500,000 and $1,000,000, with an excess of $500.
  • Contents were valued at $100,000.
  • Quotes were obtained in November 2021 and were for a combined home and contents insurance policy.
  • Homeowning family of 2 who moved into their property in 2019.
  • 3 bedroom, 1 story freestanding house on flat ground with brick veneer walls, terracotta tiled roof, no verandas and built in 1980.
  • Windows secured by deadlocks, with no security devices.

Why do I need home and contents insurance?

Getting home and contents cover is a no-brainer. You've probably sacrificed a lot to save up a deposit and pay down your mortgage, so why would you risk losing it all? Here's why it's worth every cent.

Hugging

Because life happens, and that's okay!

Unexpected things happen and there's nothing we can do about it, but getting a home and contents insurance policy will help you prepare for it.

No travelling

Because replacing everything will cost you.

Look around you, how much was the sofa you're sitting on? The TV you're staring at? The laptop you're using?

Thumbs up

Because it's the smart thing to do.

You've worked hard to become a homeowner. It's probably one of the biggest financial decisions of your life – it makes sense to protect it.

Dollar

Because it's a small price to pay for peace of mind.

Think about the cost of your home, and all your stuff. The price of a home insurance policy is only a fraction of this.

What is the best home and contents insurance in Australia?

We'd love to tell you what the best policy is, but the truth is, only you can know that. It will depend entirely on your home and what you want to protect.

But here's what we can do.

We can help you figure out what the best policy is for you, and can let you know who our most popular home insurance brands are.

What does home and contents insurance cover?

A home and contents insurance policy will generally cover events that could lead to your financial loss. You can find these events in your product disclosure statement (PDS), but they usually include events like fires, storms, theft and vandalism.

Here are some examples where the right home and contents insurance policy can cover you.

Can I customise my policy?

You definitely can. Most home insurers will offer optional add-ons during the application process so you can get the most tailored policy to your needs.

Common add-ons include:

  • Accidental damage. Cover for those homely mishaps like a knocked-over TV or a spilled glass of wine on an expensive rug.
  • Personal effects/portable contents. Cover for loss or damage to your valuables that you take outside of your home. You might want to cover your phone, engagement ring or designer handbag.
  • Personal valuables. Some contents will have a limit to which they'll be covered. If you have any unique or collectible items of particularly high value, you may want to consider specifying them on your policy for extra cover.
  • Flood cover. If you live in a flood-prone zone, having flood cover is essential to protect your home and contents from damage.
  • Motor burnout. Cover for your home appliances like your fridge or washing machine if the motor burns out. You should also be covered for any damages that are caused like food spoilage or water damage.
  • Sum insured safeguards. When you apply for home insurance, you'll tell the insurer how much your home is worth; this is usually the maximum pay-out if you lose everything. Having a sum insured safeguard means that if you get your estimation wrong, the insurer will give you a buffer to help cover the costs.
  • Contents in commercial storage. If you have stuff stored away and an insured event occurs at the site (like if the building burns down), you may be able to recuperate the value of contents lost.
  • Business items. Cover for the things you use as part of your profession.
  • Pet injury. Cover for your pet (up to a certain limit), if they are accidentally injured and need veterinary care.

What won't I be covered for?

All insurance policies will have general exclusions but they might not be the same. That's why it's important to check over your PDS to make sure you understand what is and what isn't covered under your home and contents insurance policy.

General exclusions can vary between insurers, but here are some common ones.

  • Deliberate damage or poor maintenance. If you fail to take care of your property then neither will your home insurance.
  • Breaking the law. If the damage to your home is caused by illegal activity, it's safe to say that you probably won't be covered for the repairs or any replacement costs.
  • Action of the sea. Things like king tides, tidal waves and storm surges are not usually covered. You can get cover for floods if you add it on to your policy. It might be hard to tell the difference between floods and storm surges, so check your PDS because each insurer can define them differently.
  • Pest control and eradication. Pests like cockroaches, mice and rats are not usually covered under home insurance since these policies are designed to cover you for preventable issues.
  • Asbestos and mould. Just like the above, asbestos and mould are not covered under home insurance because they're considered preventable issues.
  • For contents left unattended. If you leave your things in the open air, you may not be covered even if you have portable contents cover. For example, if you leave your clothes on a shared clothes line unattended, and it's taken, you most likely won't be covered.
  • An unoccupied home. If your home is left unoccupied for a period of time (usually over 60 days), you may void your cover since the property will likely be unmaintained.

Many of the individual benefit categories (flood, fire, theft, etc) will have their own individual exclusions, so make sure you're fully across those as they apply to your specific policy.

How can I save money on home and contents insurance?

It's important that you're happy with your home and contents insurance, and that means being happy with the price too.

Here are our tips on how to save money on a policy:

  • Go bare bones. If you do your homework, you might find that some policies actually have more inclusions than what you actually need. This will in turn reflect on your premium and you'll likely pay a higher price.
    By understanding your policy, you may be able to strip back a few benefits (like flood cover if you don't live in a flood-prone area) and pay a cheaper premium.
  • Change your excess. Playing with your excess is a balancing act. If you choose to increase your excess, your premium will decrease. However, if you end up needing to make a claim, you'll have to pay more.
  • New customer discounts. A lot of home insurance companies offer discounts to attract new customers. This is why it's a smart idea to check your policy and compare what's on the market to see if you can get better value with another insurer.
  • Online discounts. Some home insurance companies will also offer discounts to buy your policy online rather than in-store or over the phone.

Here are some deals that we have available in January 2024

Deal

Receive $250 worth of smart sensors with Honey Home Insurance

Get free smart sensors (valued at $250) to install around your home when you sign up for a combined home and contents policy. T&Cs apply.
Deal

30% online discount on new home and contents insurance

Receive 30% off your first year's premium when you purchase a new combined home and contents insurance policy online. T&Cs apply.
Deal

Get up to 20% off your first year's premium with QBE Building and Contents Insurance

Discount is made up of a 10% online discount, and a further 10% for buying a combined policy. T&Cs apply.
Deal

Get 10% off when buying Home and Contents Insurance from Australia Post

Save 10% when you buy a combined home and contents insurance policy online from Australia Post. T&Cs apply.

Think you've got enough cover on your home?

We hate to be the bearers of bad news but according to the Insurance Council of Australia, 83% of Aussies don’t have enough insurance cover for their combined home and contents. This is known as underinsurance and it can be almost as bad as not having insurance at all.

Let’s say your home and everything in it was worth $2 million and a fire destroyed it all. Having your stuff insured for half that would help, but you’d still be reeling.

Here are some tips to help you avoid this fate:

  • Do the maths. Be as detailed as possible in your calculations. There are plenty of online calculators to help you.
  • Don’t cut corners. Don’t insure something important for lower than what it’s worth, and don’t pass on extras you know you might need (like flood cover when you’re on a flood plain). You might save a few bucks on your premium but find yourself on the hook for thousands if you ever need to claim.
  • Details, details, details. Sometimes the devil is in the detail. For example, your contents protection might give you $50,000 worth of cover but cap your payout at $2,000 per item. If your $10,000 wedding ring gets stolen, a $2,000 payout probably won’t cheer you up much. In this instance, you’d need to declare the ring separately.
  • Review early, review often. There’s a good chance the value of your stuff will change over time. Property values never stay the same, and you'll always be bringing new gadgets into your house. If the value of everything changes, adjust your cover as necessary.

How do I make a home and contents claim?

Making a claim is usually straightforward. Here's what you need to do:

    1. Alert the authorities. If there was a crime, call the police to file a report. Otherwise, move on to step 2.
    2. Alert the insurer. Ring your insurer as soon as possible so they’re aware a claim is on the way. It will let you know if you need to do anything specific.
    3. Make a detailed claim. Submit a claim form with all the details. You can often do this over the phone or online.
    4. Gather evidence. The insurer will want supporting evidence, such as a police report, photographs, proof of ownership and receipts.
    5. Let the inspector in. The insurer might send someone out to assess the damage, arrange emergency repairs and obtain quotes.
    6. Wait. Sit back while the insurer processes your claim. They'll notify you of the outcome as soon as they can.

    Why you can trust Finder's home insurance experts

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    We're free

    You pay the same as buying directly from the home insurer. Better still, we regularly run exclusive deals that you won't find on any other site – plus, our tables make it easy to compare policies.
    expert advice

    We're experts

    We've researched and rated dozens of policies as part of our Finder Awards. We provide unique insights and our in-house experts regularly appear on Sunrise, 7News and SBS News.
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    We're independent

    Unlike other comparison sites, we're not owned by an insurer. That means our opinions are our own and we work with lots of home insurance brands, making it easier for you to find a good deal.
    help

    We're here to help

    Since 2014, we've helped 150,000+ people find home insurance by explaining your cover options simply and clearly. We'll never ask for your number or email. We're here to help you make a decision.

    Frequently asked questions about home and contents insurance

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