QBE Home Insurance Review | finder.com.au
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QBE Home Insurance

Need to protect your home and possessions from the unknown? Discover if QBE Home Insurance is the right fit for you.

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Alexandra Koster
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QBE Insurance have been looking after the needs of Aussie's for over 125 years. In addition to car and business insurance, QBE also offers home and contents insurance policies. Cover your home, fixtures and belongings and bask in the peace of mind that a comprehensive insurance policy can give you.

This review will explore the different policies on offer from QBE and what each covers.

Green Insurer of the Year 2020

As part of the Finder Green Awards, we are pleased to announce QBE as our Green Insurer of the Year. It is clear that QBE is an insurance business taking their sustainability efforts seriously. Notably the company is sourcing more than 60% of their electricity from renewable sources, as well as committing to numerous external benchmarks such as CDP and DJSI.

What policy options do I have?

Home Insurance

This policy provides cover for the structure of your home, including your garage, outbuildings and even your pool. When fire, theft, storm, flood, lightning, riot and a range of other incidents damage or destroy your home, QBE can provide the cover you need. Other features include cover for temporary accommodation costs, accidental glass breakage and legal liability protection.

Contents Insurance

Your possessions are the most important items in the world, so this policy ensures that they are safeguarded against an extensive selection of risks. This includes cover for your carpets, furniture, home entertainment system, the stuff in your backyard shed and more. QBE offers new for old replacement on most items and allows customers to choose the excess they pay. Legal liability cover is also included.

Home and contents Insurance

If you want the most comprehensive coverage then QBE's Home and Contents insurance policy is your best bet. It combines the cover offered under the Home Insurance and Contents Insurance policies to create a policy that offers the ultimate level of protection. As well as legal liability protection, this policy also covers accidental glass breakage, loss of credit cards, damage to external door locks and keys, three months of cover for contents in storage, rebuilding costs and the removal of debris. A 30% building sum insured safeguard is also included for situations where your building suffers a total loss.

How do the policies compare?

EventHomeContentsHome and Contents
Fire
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Yes
Flood
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Yes
Storm
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Yes
Theft
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Yes
Vandalism
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Yes
Water damage
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Yes
Glass breakage
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Yes
Temporary accommodation
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Yes
Essential temporary repairs
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Yes
Legal liability
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Yes
Actions of the sea
  • No
  • No
  • No
Malicious damage
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Yes
Impacts (collision)
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Yes
Escape of liquid
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Yes
High-value items and collections
  • No
  • Yes
  • Yes
Removal of debris
  • Yes
  • No
  • Yes
Open air contents
  • No
  • Yes
  • Yes
Credit card cover
  • No
  • Yes
  • Yes

What isn't covered by this policy?

Regardless of which QBE Home Insurance policy you choose, there are certain circumstances under which your claim will not be paid. These include if your claim:

  • Relates to the lawful seizure or repossession of your home or contents
  • Is caused by invasion, war or rebellion
  • Results from an act of terrorism related to biological, chemical or nuclear weapons, pollution or contamination
  • Results from a deliberate act by you, a family member or someone acting with your consent to cause the item to be lost or damaged
  • Is for wear and tear or deterioration
  • Is for depreciation
  • Results from damage caused by atmospheric conditions, vermin, mould, mildew, rot, insects, action of light or inherent defect
  • Results from any cleaning, repairing, restoring or altering
  • Is for financial or consequential loss.

How much will this cost me?

The following factors can all affect the cost of your QBE home insurance premiums:

  • Sum insured. If the sum insured of your property is worth more, your premiums will be higher.
  • Level of cover. If you are opting for a more comprehensive policy then you will likely be paying more. However, being overinsured is far better for your hip-pocket than being underinsured, especially in the long-run.
  • Location. Certain insured events are more at risk of occurring in specific areas of the country. For example, you have live in a suburb with a high crime rate or in a region prone to violent and damaging storms, your premiums will cost more as there is a higher likelihood that you will need to make a claim.
  • If you have a no claim bonus discount. This will help shave big discounts off the top of your cover.
  • Your insurance history. A history of past claims on your home insurance policy will influence your risk profile.
  • The construction and age of your home. The owners of older homes are generally more likely to make a claim, while the construction of your home can affect the likelihood of it suffering damage or loss.
  • Optional benefits. These added benefits are available at an extra cost to you.

How can I pay less for my policy?

  • Flexible excess. You can lower the cost of your premiums by applying a higher excess.
  • Annual premium discount. If you pay your premium upfront (as opposed to monthly) you can save cash.
  • Combined Policy Discount. You get a 10% discount when you take out both buildings and contents cover for the same address.
  • Risk Mitigation Discount (Queensland only). You can get a discount if your home has been certified for cyclone mitigation upgrades under the Queensland Government 'Stronger Homes - Household Resilience Program'. It's currently only available in Queensland and the size of discount depends on the type of upgrade.

How can I make a claim?

If an insured event occurs, make sure that you take all possible steps to prevent any further loss or damage. If theft or vandalism has occurred, report it to the police immediately.

You can then call QBE on or visit the QBE website to inform them what has happened. A QBE representative will take you through the claims process to give you an accurate idea of what you need to do next. If QBE requires it, you will need to complete a claim form and also provide any supporting documentation required to assess your claim. This could include letters, valuations, receipts or proof of ownership.

You can reach them on 133 723 for more information about making a claim.

Still have questions about QBE insurance?

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