We crunch eligible home insurance products in Australia to see how they stack up. We rank over 50 products on 16 different features, including price. We end up with a single score out of 10 that helps you compare home insurance a bit faster. We assess home and contents, building only and contents only products individually.
Yes but it depends on what type of home insurance policy you have. In outside areas insurers will generally differentiate between:
Take a look at how each type of home insurance can cover your outdoor areas:
Can protect permanent outdoor structures like pools, sheds and pizza ovens from physical damage
Can cover the things you keep in those structures and elsewhere outside like prized potted plants or a bar fridge
Provides cover for both the physical structure of your outdoor setting and the contents within it, giving the broadest protection
Home insurers' definitions can vary slightly, but basically, if it's permanently attached to the property, it's a permanent fixture. Examples include:
If one of the above is damaged or lost in an insured event, home insurance can cover it, whereas a straight contents policy won't.
Keep in mind there's a difference between:
Not usually. Building cover generally includes permanent outdoor structures and fixtures, like fences, sheds, garages and paved areas, within your sum insured, so you don't have to itemise them. What matters is that your sum insured is high enough to rebuild them, so if you've added a deck, pool or outdoor kitchen, increase it. High-value items and anything worth more than your policy's standard limits may need to be listed separately, so check your PDS.
Because home and building insurance and contents insurance cover different things, you'll need to differentiate between permanent fixtures and their contents (including fittings) when you work out your sums insured.
With combined home and contents insurance, you can be covered for repair or replacement costs if an outdoor structure and/or its contents are damaged, destroyed or lost because of:
For example, you could be covered if:
You'll also have the option to include various add-ons, such as accidental damage insurance, that can broaden your cover.
Exclusions to your cover might apply if:
If you're renovating an outdoor area, don't make the common mistake of forgetting to update the relevant maximum insured amounts in your policy so they'll reflect:
After pouring money into a renovation, the last thing you want is for the upgraded area to be damaged and then to find you're not covered for its full value because you didn't update your policy.
Keeping the buildings, contents and all-important sums insured in your policy up to date is a key way to get the most out of your insurance.
When you do update your policy, take the opportunity to check whether you could be getting a better deal on your home insurance.
ALDI offers home, contents and landlords insurance. Its policies have thorough coverage with generous benefit limits.
If you serve or have served, you are probably eligible for home insurance with the Defence Service Homes Insurance Scheme.
GIO home Insurance has one of the most comprehensive policies around, covering you for environmental upgrades, emergency accommodation + more.
A surprising range of factors will shape your jewellery insurance options. Find out how to make the best choice.
If you live in WA, RAC home insurance could be good for you. It comes with lots of benefits and savings, including RAC membership.
Compare features and benefits of CBA's home insurance policy. Discover if it's right for you with this handy guide.
A review of NAB's home and contents insurance policies. Find out how NAB can cover your house and possessions, giving you peace of mind and protection against the worst.
Need home and contents insurance? Check out Bank of Queensland's Vero Secure Home Extra Insurance and Vero Secure Home Elite Insurance policies.
Here's a review of the home insurance products available from Budget Direct.
Compare the home insurance options available from Suncorp.
