What does home and contents insurance commonly exclude in Australia?

Common exclusions may include wear and tear, gradual damage, poor maintenance, pests, defective workmanship, some flood or sea-related events, unoccupied homes, business use, high-value item limits and intentional or illegal acts. Exact exclusions vary by insurer and policy wording.

Is your home renovation covered by your insurance policy?

Home renovations may not always be covered by a standard home and contents insurance policy. Before starting work, review your policy and contact your insurer to confirm whether renovations are covered, whether exclusions or limits apply, and whether you need to update your policy or consider additional cover.

How can I lower my home and contents insurance premiums effectively?

To effectively lower your home and contents insurance premiums, start by shopping around to compare different insurance providers. Each insurer may offer varying rates, discounts, and features, so it's crucial to find the best deal. Focus on comparing not just the price, but also the coverage options, features, and deductible amounts offered by each policy. Additionally, consider increasing your excess, as a higher out-of-pocket expense during a claim can lower your premium. Improving home security, such as installing smoke alarms or security systems, could also make you eligible for additional discounts. Regularly reviewing and updating your policy to ensure you're not over-insured can keep your premiums in check. Finally, bundling your home and contents insurance with other policies, if possible, with the same provider, can often lead to further savings. These strategies together can help reduce your insurance costs effectively while maintaining the necessary coverage.

What are the essential insurance policies needed for a home-based business?

For a home-based business, itâ€™s crucial to have the right insurance policies to protect against financial risks not covered by a typical homeownerâ€™s policy. Firstly, consider business property insurance to protect equipment and inventory from damage or theft. Liability insurance is also essential, covering any claims made against your business for injury or property damage. If you have employees, workersâ€™ compensation insurance is a must to cover work-related injuries or illnesses. Professional indemnity insurance protects against claims of negligence or inadequate service. Lastly, depending on the nature of your business, cyber liability insurance might be necessary to safeguard against data breaches and cyber threats. Each of these policies serves a specific purpose to keep your home-based business secure and operating smoothly, giving you peace of mind.

What are the common mistakes in Australian household insurance claims?

Common mistakes in Australian household insurance claims include failing to thoroughly understand the policy terms, which can lead to unexpected exclusions. Many people forget to document damages or losses properly, which is crucial for a successful claim. Underestimating the value of possessions is another frequent mistake, resulting in inadequate coverage. Also, delays in reporting incidents to the insurer can complicate the claims process. Some individuals make the error of starting repairs before the claim is approved, which might not be covered if completed without the insurer's consent. To prevent these issues, itâ€™s essential to carefully read and comprehend your insurance policy, maintain an accurate inventory of possessions, report claims promptly, and get approval from your insurer before making any repairs. By being proactive and organised, you can navigate the insurance claims process more smoothly and ensure you're adequately protected.

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Home & Contents Insurance For Australian Homeowners & Renters

Home and contents insurance helps homeowners and renters manage the financial impact of risks such as fire, storms and theft. Understanding building and contents cover, rebuilding costs and the value of your belongings can help you recognise gaps and underinsurance. Explore our household insurance articles, insurance news and podcast ... or connect with a household insurance broker from our Australia-wide referral partner network who can discuss your needs and compare available rates and options.

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Household Insurance

Household insurance is an insurance cover for individuals and families to indemnify against the financial implications resulting from unexpected losses to the home, contents and personal effects.

Household insurance comes in a range of forms and may include Building cover, Contents cover, Special Risks cover, Domestic Liability cover and Domestic Workers Compensation.

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Insurance Online does not provide personal financial advice or claims assistance directly. Your enquiry is referred to a licensed broker from our Australia-wide referral partner network, who will communicate with you directly after you submit a quote request and can help you compare quotes and provide personal advice where appropriate and within their authorisation. Ask your broker or insurer what claims assistance is available. For some products, claims may ultimately be managed directly by your chosen insurer. All brokers in our referral panel are appropriately licensed.

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Insurance News

New WHS figures sharpen the risk picture for tradies

11 Nov 2026: Paige Estritori

Safe Work Australia’s latest Key Work Health and Safety Statistics, released on 12 October 2026, provide a fresh reminder that construction remains one of the country’s highest-risk work environments. The national data records 41 construction worker fatalities in 2025 and shows construction accounted for 11.7% of serious workers’ compensation claims in 2024-25, making the figures directly relevant to trade businesses reviewing safety systems, contracts and insurance arrangements. - read more

Mallee Hail Is a Sharp Reminder About Harvest-Time Insurance Gaps

10 Nov 2026: Paige Estritori

A damaging hailstorm across Victoria’s Mallee has turned a promising harvest into a difficult insurance and cash-flow test for affected grain growers. ABC Rural reported on 6 November 2026 that hail swept through districts including Birchip, Wycheproof and Quambatook, damaging thousands of hectares of wheat, barley, lentils, canola and other crops just as many paddocks were ready to harvest. - read more

Strata Storm Claim Ruling Puts Defect Exclusions in Focus

10 Nov 2026: Paige Estritori

A recent Australian Financial Complaints Authority decision has highlighted a difficult but common issue for strata communities: damage that happens during a storm is not always insured storm damage. The dispute, reported on 5 November 2026, involved an owners corporation claim for a collapsed parapet wall, with the insurer declining cover on the basis that defective design, materials or workmanship were the dominant cause rather than the weather event itself. - read more

Healthcare liability pressure puts clinic renewal evidence in focus

10 Nov 2026: Paige Estritori

A new Australian healthcare professional liability market update points to a sharper divide between general insurance market conditions and the experience of healthcare organisations arranging malpractice and professional liability cover. Lockton’s 1 November 2026 update says established insurers remain selective, claims inflation is affecting attachment points and underwriters are looking more closely at how clinical governance works in practice, not merely whether accreditation exists. - read more

WA Child Safety Changes Put Fitness Compliance in the Spotlight

10 Nov 2026: Paige Estritori

Western Australia’s updated Working With Children Check laws are a timely reminder that fitness business risk is not limited to physical injury, equipment damage or venue incidents. The changes, in effect from 17 September 2026 and highlighted by AUSactive in October, mean certain adverse Working With Children outcomes from other Australian jurisdictions can now affect a person’s ability to work with children in WA. - read more

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Household Insurance Articles

The Beginner's Checklist for Comparing Home Insurance Quotes Online

Home insurance serves as a critical safety net for homeowners, providing peace of mind and financial protection from unexpected events. In Australia, where Mother Natureâ€™s whims can often result in extreme weather conditions, securing a robust home insurance policy isn't just wiseâ€”it's practically a necessity for safeguarding one of life's biggest investments. - read more

Financial Planning for Homeowners: Top Strategies to Protect Your Assets

Financial planning is a crucial aspect of personal finance, enabling individuals to manage their money effectively and achieve their financial goals. For homeowners, financial planning takes on even greater significance. It involves not just handling your income and expenses, but also protecting valuable assets like your home and possessions. - read more

The Most Common Mistakes in Household Insurance Claims and How to Prevent Them

Household insurance is a crucial safety net for both homeowners and renters in Australia, offering protection against a range of potential damages and losses. Navigating the insurance claims process, however, can often be challenging and fraught with pitfalls. - read more

Household Insurance for Australian Renters: What You Should Consider

Household insurance is a type of coverage that protects you against financial losses from events such as theft, fire, or natural disasters. It typically includes two main components: building insurance, which covers the structure of the home, and contents insurance, which covers personal belongings within the home. - read more

How Often Should You Review and Update Your Household Insurance Policy?

Itâ€™s easy to think of household insurance as something you purchase once and forget about. However, this approach can leave you vulnerable to unexpected risks. Your home and its contents change over time, and so do your insurance needs. - read more

Knowledgebase

Coinsurance:
A percentage of the cost of a covered healthcare service that you pay after you have paid your deductible.

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