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Compare home and contents insurance
Written by
Tina Sendin
Edited by
Andrew Kemp
Reviewed by
Adrian BennettOur Home and Contents partners
iSelect does not compare all providers in the market or all policies offered by our partners in your area. Not all policies or special offers are available to all customers. Learn more.
What is home and contents insurance?
Combined home and contents insurance is a single home insurance policy that covers the physical structure of your house – the building – and most of the things inside it – your contents. It combines building insurance and contents insurance into one policy, which often makes it more affordable than getting separate policies. By combining both into a single home insurance policy, you can also simplify the admin of protecting both your house and everything that goes into turning it into a home.
What are the benefits of a combined home and contents policy?
A combined home and contents insurance policy can potentially help you save on costs while also allowing you to save on extra paperwork and administrative hassle come renewal time. Not to mention that you’ll only need to make a single claim if an insured event damages both your property and its contents.
How to buy with iSelect
Get started
Tell us a bit about everything you want covered. Yep, even those decades-old linens.
Compare your options
We’ll line up a range of policies side by side – premiums, inclusions, exclusions and even extras you can add on.
Make your choice
Found the one you like? Go for it – you’re a few clicks away from having new cover. All with no extra cost to you.
Enjoy your new cover
Done and dusted? Let your old insurer know it’s time to say goodbye. Enjoy your brand-new cover!
What’s protected by home and contents insurance?
Your house
Home insurance protects your house’s physical structure and permanent fixtures.
That means you’re typically covered for everything from the walls to the roof, plus anything that wouldn’t fall out if you flipped it upside down. That also means fixtures and fittings like the dishwasher, oven, showers, light fittings and taps. Even outbuildings (like your garden shed) and structural improvements (like the pergola and in-ground swimming pool) are typically included.
Your contents
A combined home and contents policy covers not only the actual building but also covers your personal belongings, furniture, appliances, electronics, furnishings and valuables.
So, you’re also generally covered for all the stuff that would fall out if you flipped your house upside down – think game consoles, clothes and even your prized cricket bat. You can even protect the prized possessions you take outside with you, like your expensive laptop, mobile phone and beloved engagement ring – at least if you’ve added portable contents cover!
What optional extras can I add on to my home and contents insurance?
Optional extras like flood cover, accidental damage, motor burnout, portable items and landlord cover are some of the things you can typically add to a combined home and contents insurance policy– for an additional premium.
Depending on the policy, you might also be able to get optional or add-on cover for commercial storage, specified personal effects (including high-value items), sum-insured safeguard and complete replacement.
So, if a standard home and contents insurance policy won’t quite cover everything you’ve worked hard for, you can consider adding on some optional cover.
Flood cover
Flood cover can cover damage caused by flooding, whether it’s water from a swollen river or flash flooding.
This one’s essentially for folks in flood-prone areas.
Accidental damage cover
Accidental damage cover is for those unexpected blunders around the house.
Spilled red wine on the carpet or cracked a vintage coffee table during an intense game of Monopoly? It’s for these random ‘oops’ moments.
Motor burnout cover
Motor burnout cover helps protect your appliances or items powered by electric motors from power surges, electrical current or overloading.
It can help cover the cost of repairs or replacements without burning a hole in your wallet.
Landlord cover
Landlord insurance helps protect homeowners from financial losses linked to renting out an investment property.
So, if you’re a landlord, this optional cover could help you sleep like a baby. It can help with things like damage caused by renters or lost rental income.
Sum-insured safeguard
Worried you didn’t insure your home for a high enough value? This cover adds a buffer to your insured amount, in case rebuilding costs more than expected.
Commercial storage
Got stuff in a storage unit? This cover ensures your belongings are protected even when they’re not kept at home. If you’re moving or just need extra space for your collectables, this one’s got you.
Complete replacement cover
If your house needs repair or rebuilding, this cover means your insurer will either do it themselves or pay the full quoted amount. You don’t need to specify the cost of rebuilding your house in advance, so it can be a big sigh of relief if rebuild costs skyrocket.
Portable items and personal effects cover
This covers personal belongings you take out and about, like your phone, jewellery or laptop. It’s handy if you’re always on the go or prone to leaving your sunnies behind at the cafe.
What’s the average home and contents insurance premium in Australia?
The average annual premium for a home insurance policy is $2,055, based on quotes for customers who purchased home and contents insurance through iSelect.1Refer to table ‘Average home and contents insurance premiums by state or territory’ However, your premium may be higher or lower based on where you live and other factors.
For example, the average annual home insurance quote for iSelect customers in New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland (Qld) is $2,266 to $2,418 respectively, while customers in South Australia (SA) and Tasmania (Tas) are quoted among the lowest for home insurance – $1,471 and $1,641 on average, respectively.2Refer to table ‘Average home and contents insurance premiums by state or territory’
And don’t forget: the size of your home, what it’s made of, its security features, your excess and the coverage you choose can also factor into your premium.
| State or territory | Average home and contents insurance premium |
|---|---|
| Australian Capital Territory (ACT) | $1,716 |
| NSW | $2,266 |
| Qld | $2,418 |
| SA | $1,471 |
| Tas | $1,641 |
| Victoria (Vic) | $1,805 |
| Western Australia (WA) | $1,707 |
Note: These figures represent the average annual indicative quote to insure a home and its contents in each specified state and territory for customers who purchased home insurance through iSelect during the period from 1 June 2025 to 31 May 2026. Quote data includes indicative stamp duty and GST where applicable. Premiums have been rounded to the nearest dollar.
Which situations does home and contents insurance typically cover?
Home and contents insurance may cover your house’s physical structure and contents against insured events such as natural disasters, extreme weather, burglary, malicious damage or vandalism, and impact damage. Depending on the type of cover, it can also include accidental glass breakage, temporary accommodation and legal liability cover. Home and contents insurance can help cover the cost of repairing, rebuilding or replacing damaged or stolen property up to the maximum amount insured building and contents sum insured.
It’s always worth checking the relevant Product Disclosure Statement of your policy for the specifics.
What’s covered by home and contents insurance?
Typically, insurers provide cover for damage or loss caused by insured events which are commonly around fire, theft, malicious acts, natural disasters and explosions.
Fire: Damage from fires, like a raging bushfire sweeping through your area
Theft or attempted theft: If someone pinches your stuff or tries to break in
Malicious damage: Harm done on purpose, like a Banksy wannabe spray-painting your newly painted gate
Storms and rainwater: Damage from wild weather like heavy rain, or rainwater entering your home as a direct result of a storm
Explosions: If your house is damaged by a boiler explosion or an explosion from a gas leak
Earthquakes or tsunamis: Damage caused by ground-shaking earthquakes or a massive wave crashing through
Impact at the home: If a power pole topples over and smashes your shed or a random car hits your fence
Leaking or burst pipes: Water damage from escape of liquid, say pipes that burst or a washing machine that leaks
What’s not covered by home and contents insurance
A combined policy for home and contents typically excludes general wear and tear, business activity, intentional damage or damage sustained after leaving your home unoccupied for a certain period.
Homes left unoccupied for more than 90 days without prior written approval: If your home’s empty for over three months and you haven’t given your insurer the heads-up
Damage from wear and tear: Like rust, rot, corrosion, mould, fading, or mildew
Breaking the law: Growing illegal substances at home or engaging in naughty stuff that sends people behind bars
Business activity: Doing business at home, unless you’ve got specific coverage for it
Cyberattack: If your fancy home tech or smart systems take a hit from some nasty malware
Terrorism: Damage caused by acts of terrorism involving weapons, explosions, pollution, civil commotion or contamination
Intentional acts: If you or someone in your home causes damage on purpose
‘To lock in great coverage, get a clear picture of what your home and belongings are worth. It’s surprising how quickly everything adds up – furniture, electronics, clothes and more.
A word of warning: watch out for underinsurance. Sure, trimming down your coverage might mean lower premiums now, but it can leave you in a tough spot if disaster strikes. Use an online calculator – like the one that’s within the iSelect comparison tool – or have a chat with an expert (this is the perfect time to touch base with your builder mate) to get a solid estimate of your home, any outbuildings and everything inside.’
Adrian Bennett
General Manager for General Insurance
Adrian is a seasoned expert in home insurance, bringing years of experience and a deep understanding of the industry to his role as General Manager – General Insurance.
With a background that spans finance, operations, and key industries such as retail, utilities, and financial services, he has a knack for analysing complex situations and finding solutions that make life simpler for customers. Whether helping homeowners protect their biggest assets or developing innovative ways to simplify decision-making, Adrian’s expertise and dedication ensure every customer feels empowered and informed with their choices.
Adrian’s top tips for getting a good deal on your home and contents insurance
Factor in natural risks
Make sure your policy covers potential local risks like floods, bushfires or storms. Some policies might require extra cover for these, so it won’t hurt to double-check what’s included.
Compare policies with an eagle eye
Look beyond just the premiums. Review what’s included, any exclusions and available optional extras. A cheaper policy might leave out essentials, and that could cost you down the track.
Review your policy annually
Your circumstances can change, from new security devices to home upgrades. Regularly reviewing your policy ensures you’re not underinsured or paying for more than you really need.
Frequently asked questions
What are some home and contents insurance providers in Australia?
Australia’s got plenty of home and contents insurance providers to choose from – and if you’re keen to compare a range of policies, the iSelect comparison tool can help you compare some, which include:
Other home insurers in the market include:
- AAMI
- Allianz
- ANZ
- APIA
- BOQ
- Bupa
- CGU
- Elders Insurance
- GIO
- Honey
- ING
- nab
- NRMA
- RAA
- RACQ
- RACV
- Suncorp
- Terri Scheer Landlord Insurance
- Virgin Money
- Youi
Note: iSelect does not compare all home insurance brands in the market, or all products offered by our partners in your area.
What are the benefits of a combined home and contents insurance policy?
Combined home and contents insurance can be cheaper than buying separate building insurance and contents only cover policies. This means that you could save a few bucks without cutting corners on coverage for your house’s physical structure and most things inside!
It also means that, instead of juggling separate policies, you’ve got all your cover sorted under one roof (pun intended). A combined home and contents cover simplifies your policy’s admin – one renewal date, one insurer and no hassle trying to remember what’s covered where.
Is it cheaper to get home and contents insurance together?
Yes, bundling building and contents insurance into a single home and contents insurance policy is often cheaper than getting them separately. Many insurers offer multi-policy discounts, or a discounted price for combining these policies together – usually ranging from around 10% to 15%. Plus, you only have to worry about a single policy fee, not to mention managing one instead of two insurance policies.
How much should I insure my home and contents for?
You want enough coverage to rebuild your home and replace everything inside. For your home, it’s worth looking at the full rebuild cost not the market value – including materials, labour and any extras like fences or pools. For your contents, it makes sense to take stock of everything – furniture, electronics and even all those kitchen gadgets you rarely use.
If you’re unsure, using online home and contents calculators or getting some advice from an industry expert (say an estimator, quantity surveyor or architect) are great starting points – you don’t want to be underinsured if the worst happens.
How much does home and contents insurance cost?
The average annual home and contents insurance premium ranges from $1,471 (in SA) to $2,418 (in Qld), based on quotes for customers who purchased home and contents insurance through iSelect. In NSW and Vic, customers were quoted $2,266 and $1,805 on average, respectively. In the ACT and WA, average home and contents insurance premiums are $1,716 and $1,707 respectively, while in Tas the average cost is $1,641.3 Refer to table ‘Average home and contents insurance premiums by state or territory’
But bear in mind, the amount you pay for a combined policy can vary widely based on things like where you live, the size of your home, the materials it’s made from, its security features and the coverage you choose. It’s worth taking the time to compare quotes – a little effort could save you time and money.
How does ‘excess’ work with home and contents insurance?
An excess is the amount your insurer requires you to pay if it approves your claim. Say an insured event causes damage or loss to your property worth $20,000 and your excess is $500, you’ll pay the excess while your insurer covers the remaining $19,500.
The insurer generally covers additional repair or replacement costs beyond the excess when your claim is accepted, up to the specified limits of your policy. You can often choose your excess when buying a policy. Afterwards, your excess amount is usually found in your certificate of currency or your online account.
Where can I find cheap home and contents insurance?
To find a cheap home and contents insurance, that suits your budget, compare a range of policies using comparison sites like iSelect. But here’s the thing – price isn’t everything.
Just because a policy is cheap doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a great fit for you. Say a policy is cheaper because it doesn’t include flood cover. If you live in a flood-prone area, that’s an extra you might regret skipping. Or take the excess, for example. Sure, a higher excess can lower your premiums, but not everyone has the savings to comfortably cover a $5,000 excess if something goes wrong. It’s all about finding that sweet spot for your situation.
Then there’s the coverage limit. A policy covering $200,000 will obviously cost less than one covering $500,000, but if your home is worth $500,000, the higher coverage will help avoid serious out-of-pocket costs when disaster strikes.
Bottom line: While cost is worth considering, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. Think about your excess, the coverage options and whether the insurer has a solid reputation. After all, you want someone who can deliver when it’s time to make a claim.
Comparing a range of policies is hands down one of the best ways to figure out your options. It helps you see where you’re getting more bang for your buck.
iSelect can help when it comes to comparing policies. You can use our online home and contents tool to compare a range of policies from different brands.
You might be interested in …
How to make a home insurance claim
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Learn the average value of home contents in Australia and what to consider when insuring your belongings for peace of mind.
How much does home insurance cost?
Find out what impacts home insurance costs and get some tips to avoid underinsurance while keeping your premiums affordable.
How to avoid underinsuring your home
Discover how to avoid the pitfalls of underinsuring your home. Get some handy tips on how to steer clear of underinsurance.
Get started on comparing home and contents today!
Save time and effort by comparing a range of home and contents insurance policies with iSelect
iSelect General Pty Ltd (ABN 90 131 798 126. AFSL 334115) has partnered with Compare the Market (ABN 83 117 323 378. AFSL 422926) to compare a range of home insurers and policies. Not all providers in the market or all policies offered by the partners are compared and not all policies or special offers are available to all customers.
A number of our participating general insurance brands are arranged by Auto & General Services Pty Ltd ACN 003 617 909 on behalf of Auto & General Insurance Company Limited 111 586 353, both of which are related entities of iSelect Limited. Our relationship with those companies does not impact the integrity of our comparison service. Click here to view iSelect’s range of providers.
Any advice provided by iSelect is of a general nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You need to consider the appropriateness of any information or general advice iSelect gives you, having regard to your personal situation, before acting on iSelect’s advice or purchasing any policy. You should consider iSelect’s Financial Services Guide which provides information about our services and your rights as a client of iSelect. iSelect receives commission for each policy sold that is a percentage of the premium or a flat fee. Ask us for more details before we provide you with any services.