Fixtures and fittings: Why they matter in home insurance

Do you know the difference between fixtures and fittings? It'll help you decide which home insurance policy is right for you.

Everyone's heard of fixtures and fittings, but do you know what they really mean? The commonly used duo might seem alike, but they're actually two different things.

Shower

Fixtures: Items that are firmly attached to your home and difficult to remove.

Windows

Fittings: Temporarily attached to the property or free standing items which can be removed.

There are some exceptions to the rule though. For example, carpets are almost always considered fixtures. We recommend contacting your insurer directly if you need clarification.

Protect your fixtures and fittings with home insurance

Generally, building insurance protects fixtures and contents insurance protects fittings. All of the home insurance policies in the table below protect both.

Product AUFHO Finder Score Fire, Storm & Theft Damage Flood Accidental damage Escape of Liquid
Finder score
Optional add-on
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Our verdict: The most popular insurer on Finder, Budget Direct prioritises low-cost cover and gives you up to 30% off your first year's premium for new combined Home & Contents policies purchased online.
Finder score
Optional
Our verdict: Good comprehensive cover (issued by QBE). Also, get $5 Kogan.com credit when you purchase a new combined Home & Contents insurance policy online. T&Cs apply.
Finder score
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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.
Youi Home Insurance logo
Finder score
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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 Insurance logo
Finder score
Optional
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.
Qantas Home and Contents Insurance
BonusFinder award finalist
Qantas Home Insurance logo
Finder score
Optional add-on
Optional
Our verdict: Earn up to 30,000 Qantas Points for joining by 2 April. Plus save 30% on your 1st year’s premium for purchasing a combined home and contents policy online. T&Cs apply.
Huddle Home Insurance logo
Finder score
Our verdict: Save up to 10% on your policy in the first year.
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Finder Score - Home and Contents Insurance

Each month, we get crunching on most every home insurance product 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.

Read full Finder Score methodology

Finder survey: Do Australians think home insurance is worth it?

Response
Yes68.37%
No18.06%
I don't know13.57%
Source: Finder survey by Pure Profile of 1113 Australians, December 2023

What are fixtures?

Fixtures are items that are firmly attached to your home. There are some exceptions to the rule but generally, you would not take fixtures with you if you decided to move home.

  • Baths and sinks
  • Kitchen counters
  • Floor and wall tiles
  • Decking and verandahs
  • Toilets and showers
  • Solar panels
  • Heating systems
  • Fences and gates

Home insurance policies that cover fixtures

There are two types of home insurance that can cover your fixtures.

House

Home (building) insurance

This type of policy will cover the physical structure of your home. This includes things like solar panels and your bathroom sink, but it won't include your fittings or contents.

Key

Home and contents insurance

This type of policy is more comprehensive since it will cover both your fixtures and fittings. It covers the physical structure of your house and the belongings you keep in it.

What are fittings?

Fittings are items that are freestanding or temporarily attached to your home. Generally, you would take fittings with you if you moved elsewhere. However, there is one major exception – fitted carpets. They are classed as fittings.

  • Blinds and curtains
  • Potted plants and artwork
  • White goods

Home insurance policies that cover fittings

You can choose from two types of home insurance to cover your fittings.

Nature

Contents insurance

This policy can cover your fittings and other things you have around your home. Just keep in mind that it won't cover things that are permanently attached to your home, or the physical house itself.

House one

Home and contents insurance

A home and contents insurance policy is probably the more comprehensive option since it can cover both fittings and fixtures. This way, you don't have to figure out which is which.

Compare home insurance to cover your fittings and fixtures

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Journalist

Nicola Middlemiss is a journalist with nearly a decade of experience in personal finance and insurance. She has contributed to Domain, Yahoo Finance, Money Magazine and Insurance Business Australia, offering in-depth insights into commercial insurance in the Australian market. Nicola holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Leeds and a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification, which complies with ASIC standards. See full bio

Nicola's expertise
Nicola has written 242 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Personal finance
  • Personal insurance, including car, health, home, life, pet and travel insurance
  • Commercial business insurance

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