Woolworths Home Insurance Review - Compare Cover and Apply Securely Online
Finding home and contents insurance can be a daunting process for many. The Australian insurance market is made up of literally hundreds of different policy options so choosing the right one can take some time and research. With the right insurance in place, you will feel safer and will not feel the pinch if you have to repair your home or replace any stolen or damaged items.
The ideal home insurance policy covers any cost you may incur due to loss or damage of the structure. Even contents within your home can be insured against loss or damage. Most insurers will offer the two cover options as a package. That is why it is important to calculate the cover you require, as it will have an effect on the premiums you pay each month.
Woolworths Home Insurance Policy Options
Who underwrites Woolworths Insurance?
All Woolworths Home Insurance policies are issued by the Hollard Insurance Company.
Woolworths Home Insurance Cover Details
Some of the different types of home cover that Woolworths offers include:
Building and Contents Insurance:
With this insurance policy, you can get cover not just for the building, but also for the contents. The insurance provides cover for;
- Fire
- Storm
- Flood
- Earthquake
- Vandalism
- Rainwater
- Theft
- Industrial unrest
- Damage due to impact
Woolworths offers the choice of standard or comprehensive home insurance. Both types can be bought online and if you are a first time buyer, you will be able to get a discount of up to 10% on your premiums. You also have the option of selecting the excess for your policy. All emergency claims can be notified to the 24-hour emergency claims helpline. This home insurance from Woolworths comes with several additional and optional benefits to help you tailor your cover closer to your needs.
Contents Insurance:
Woolworths contents insurance provides cover for valuable items including furniture, jewellery and clothing from;
- Fire
- Storm
- Industrial unrest
- Damage due to impact
- Vandalism
- Earthquake
- Burst pipes
- Flood and rainwater
You will have the option of Standard and Comprehensive cover and are eligible to a 10% discount if cover is purchased online. This insurance offers cover for your valuables and assets even if they get damaged or lost while you are at home.
Building Insurance:
Woolworths Building Insurance provides extensive cover against damage to your home at an affordable rate. This policy will provide cover for;
- Vandalism
- Earthquake
- Flood
- Rainwater
- Fire
- Burst pipes
- Storms
- Industrial impact
Applicants have the option of choosing either comprehensive or standard cover.
All three Home Insurance policy options allow you to pay monthly for the insurance without attracting additional costs.
Back to topWoolworths Home Insurance Insured Events
Woolworths Home Insurance will provide cover for:
- Fire and Explosion
- Does not include fire due to certain heat-resistant home appliances, cigarettes, radiator and inflammable liquids, including alcohol
- Storm, Rainwater and Floods
- Damaged due to water seeping in due to building makeovers or construction is not covered
- It also does not cover damage to retaining wall, gate, fence, driveway, paths, swimming pool and spa
- Earthquake, Tsunami and Volcanic Eruptions
- Lightning
- Malicious Damage Including Vandalism
- Does not cover damage caused by an inmate or person who lives in your home with your consent
- Theft
- Cover is not provided if the theft is done by someone living in the house or the theft occurred before you could begin living in the house.
- Riot, Industrial Unrest and Civil Commotion
- Impact: If your home or assets get damaged by a falling branch, communication or power pole, vehicle, aircraft, watercraft, trailer, satellite dish or debris from space, it will be covered. This event also covers damage due to falling radio or TV aerial.
- Bursting, Leaks, Discharge or Overflow of Liquids or Water from Taps and Pipes: This event also includes damage due to washing machines, baths, spas, dishwashers, hot water systems, refrigerators, air conditioners, roof gutters, drainage systems, sewerage system and/or aquariums.
- Accidental Glass Breakage: If you insure your home, you also will have cover for replacing window glass and other fixed glass, including shower screen, basins, baths and toilets.
- This does not cover breakage of the TV’s picture tube, computer screen, vases, cooking stove glass surface, handheld-mirrors, ornaments or glass of a greenhouse or conservatory.
Each insured event will have its own set of exclusions for when a benefit will not be paid. Knowing what is covered and what is not will allow you to choose the right insurance for your needs and according to your budget.
Back to topWoolworths Home Insurance Optional Benefits
When you select Woolworths Home Insurance, you also can select the optional benefits based on your needs. It is prudent to remember that these optional benefits will have an effect on your premiums. The more optional benefits you choose, the higher will be your premium.
Some of the optional benefits offered by Woolworths Home Insurance are as follows:
- Electrical Motor Burnout: If the wiring of a domestic motor burns out or fuses due to an electrical current, it is defined as electrical motor burnout. If you take this optional benefit, Woolworths will pay for the cost of repairing or replacing the affected motor. It also covers the loss you incur due to spoilage of refrigerated or frozen food or when public electricity supply fails to reach your home.
- Portable Valuables: Provides cover for accidental loss or damage to:
- Clothing
- Jewellery
- Watches
- Contact lenses
- Sunglasses
- Prescription glasses
- Electronic diaries
- Calculators
- Pocket computers
- Portable radios
- Music players
- Video cameras
- Other photographic equipment
- Sporting equipment
- Binoculars
- Telescopes
- Wheelchairs
- Hearing aids
- Mobility devices are covered for accidental loss or damage.
When you opt to cover portable valuables, there are two ways that you can buy the cover. The first is the Group Cover wherein any number of portable valuables can be covered from the eligible list of items. This cover is to a maximum value of $1,000 per item. Alternatively, you can opt for Itemised Cover which will cover items that exceed $1,000 in value each. Each item may be insured individually.
It is important to note that there are certain exclusions applied to the insuring of individual items. If loss or damage occurs due to one of the following reasons, the cover will not be valid.
- Cleaning, repairing, restoring, renovating or altering
- Overwinding, mechanical or electrical breakdown, failure
- Scratching or denting
The loss and damage of the following items also will not be covered:
- Musical instrument or sporting equipment while in use
- Using photographic equipment underwater
- Items on display, sale, exhibition or consignment
- CDs, DVDs, films and audio or visual tapes
- Mobile phones, smartphones and car phones
- Cash, credit cards, debits cards and all other negotiable documents and instruments
- Stamp and coin collection
- Artificial limbs, wigs, dentures and dental appliances
- Professionally used musical instruments and musical accessories, like amplifiers
- Tablets, fax machines, printers and portable laptops
- Hobby equipment
- Handheld computer games and toys
- Camping equipment and accessories, including tents
The Portable Valuables benefit becomes void if the item broken is brittle in nature or the cause of loss or damage cannot be established.
Back to topWoolworths Home Insurance F.A.Qs
Q: How should I determine how much to insure my home or building?
- A: When you are calculating the amount of home insurance to take out, you should consider the entire cost of rebuilding the building, including the costs you will incur for making any kind of structural improvement, such as adding fences, pool or carport. Never take the land value when you are calculating the amount.
Q: How can I pay for my home insurance?
- A: You can opt for direct debit from your bank account or credit card. Premiums can be paid on an annual or monthly basis.
Q: Will I have to pay extra if I choose monthly payment basis?
- No, Woolworths does not levy any extra charges if you decide to pay for your home insurance on a monthly basis. There are no hidden costs involved.
Q: If my payment date happens to be a public holiday or weekend, how can I pay?
- A: If the date happens to be a holiday or weekend, you can always make the payment on the next business day without incurring a penalty or fine.
Q: What is excess?
- A: Excess is a contribution made by you towards the claim. This helps to make the insurance premiums affordable. If you make a claim, you will be charged an excess and you can decide what the excess level should be. Generally, a higher excess will result in lower premiums. You have the option of increasing your excess level during the period of your insurance. If you want to decrease the excess level, it can only be done when you are renewing your home insurance policy.
Q: I seem to have misplaced my home insurance documents. What should I do?
- A: If you have lost your home insurance document, you can contact Woolworths call centre and request for a copy. The copy will be sent to you by fax, post or email.
Woolworths Home Insurance Claims
There are four simple and easy steps if you want to claim your Woolworths Home Insurance. These steps are as follows:
- Step 1: Inform the Woolworths Claims Team about the claim. This can be done via telephone 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Give the details and you will be issued a claim number. The other option is to download the claim form, fill it out and email or fax it to Woolworths as quickly as possible.
- Step 2: Your claim will be assessed by the Woolworths assessor. During this assessment, the damage of the building and/or contents will be assessed. Woolworths will then make arrangements for a quote or organise emergency repairs.
- Step 3: Depending on the type of home insurance you have, the claim will be settled. It will be different for Building Insurance and Contents Insurance, and Woolworths will decide on the service provider who will repair the damage. In such cases, the excess would is paid directly to the service provider. If you opt against the repair or rebuilding, Woolworths will settle your claim.
- Step 4: Once your claim is accepted, all payments will be made as per the terms and conditions of your home insurance policy.
Who is Woolworths?
Since the opening of its first retail store in Sydney in 1924, Woolworths has grown to become the largest retail store in Australia. Over the years Woolworths has extended its services to now offer banking and financial solutions, including insurance and credit cards.
Insurance products currently offered by Woolworths include:
- Travel insurance
- Car insurance
- Home insurance
- Life insurance
Woolworths makes it easy for homeowners to pay their premiums, which can be directly debited via bank account or credit card. As a result, you never have to worry about missing or delaying your premium.
You have the option of combining the insurance for the building and contents, so that a single policy covers not just your home, but also the assets therein. If you are staying in a rented house or apartment, it is worth considering contents insurance to look after the assets in the building. This cover extends to clothing, jewellery and furniture as well. There are several options that you can choose from to ensure your personal belongings are adequately protected.
Back to top
How good is Woolworths insurance regards claims and communications
Hi Roy,
Thanks for getting in touch. Unfortunately, we do not currently have any information relating to Woolworths and its claims process. How smoothly a claim will run will vary from person to person. To find out more about home insurance claims, please head over to our guide to home insurance claims.
All the best,
Richard
I have a policy with you but cannot find it. Please email me privately so I may speak with you further. Thanks you
Hi Colleen,
Thanks for getting in touch. finder.com.au is a comparison service and not an insurer. If you would like to get in contact with Woolworths, you can do so by heading to their contact us page.
All the best,
Richard
Does Woolworths offer House only Replacement cost insurance? Does Woolworths give an actual cash value settlement in the event of the policy holder choosing not to rebuild. Who underwrite Woolworths home insurance policies?
Hi Fleur,
Thanks for your question. Woolworths do offer building only cover. According to the product disclosure statement:
“If you decide not to proceed with the rebuild or repair of your building we will pay the lesser of:
•The rebuild or repair cost
•The difference in the value of your building and the land it is situated on before the damage occurred and the value of the building and land after the damage has been sustained
Woolworths Home Insurance policies are underwritten by The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
How long has Woolworths Home contents insurance existed?
Hi Kay,
Thanks for your question. Woolworths have been offering insurance products in Australia since 2011.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
Can I get cover for Computer hardware under contents – optional benefits.
Can tools & equipment contained within a garage be covered under contents – optional benefits.
What is not covered under the heading of “storm surge”
Hi Don,
Thanks for your question. You will need to discuss these matters with Woolworths directly. finder.com.au is a comparison service and does not have access to the specifics of what can be covered under optional benefits. Additionally, there is no reference to storm surge in the most recent PDS. Storm exclusions for loss or damage include:
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
Interesting. If caused by water that has seeped or percolated into your building or to the interior of your building or to your contents if the damage or loss has not occurred as a result of an opening made by the Storm, then what is actually covered. Isn’t this how storm damage impacts a property?. I am concerned if my cover will protect me.
Hi Jack,
Thanks for your question. finder.com.au is a comparison service and we are not permitted to provide personalised advise. This exclusion refers to a homeowners need to maintain their home in order to minimise the risk of loss or damage. Woolworths Home Insurance states the exclusion as:
“loss or damage to the interior of your building or to your contents if the damage or loss has NOT occurred as a result of an opening made by the Storm”
If you would like to know more about the specifics of your cover, you should contact your insurer directly.
I hope this was helpful,
Maurice
I have woolworths standard home & contents insurance am i covered for food spoilage
Due to loss of power during the nsw storms last week and will I have to pay an excess
Hi Tracey,
Thanks for your question. Woolworths standard cover provides a maximum of $500 cover for food spoilage or loss to frozen or refrigerated food caused by an Insured Event. You will need to contact the Insurer to find out whether or not this is classed as an Insured Event. However, if you took out optional Electrical Motor Burnout, you may be covered of $500 for loss or spoilage of food caused by the failure of public electricity to supply your home.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
I have comprehensive home and contents. Am I covered for food spoilage due to power blackout. Power out for over 3 days and still not back on
Hi Jacqueline,
Thanks for your question. Woolworths Comprehensive covers loss or spoilage of frozen or refrigerated food (up to a maximum of $1,000) that is the result of an Insured Event.
If you have optional Electronic Motor Burnout, you would be covered for a maximum of $1,000 for loss or spoilage of food due to the failure of public electricity to supply your home.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
Does your insurance cover damage roof solar panels, switches and inverters.
Many Thanks Dennis
Hi Dennis,
Thanks for you question. Unfortunately, finder.com.au is a comparison service and not an insurer. I have had a look through the Woolworths Home Insurance PDS and didn’t find a reference to solar panels. You may wish to contact Woolworths and find out if solar panels are covered. You can contact Woolworths by calling 1300 10 1234.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
Hi
Can you please advise if your building and/or continents policies include replacement of hot water systems at end of life?
Thanks
Hi Georgina,
Thanks for your question. Woolworths Home Insurance does cover losses that result from a faulty hot water system. However, whether or not they cover the replacement of it as a fixed appliance is unclear. You may wish to contact the Woolworths claims team as they will be able to give you a definitive answer. They can be reached by calling 1300 10 1234.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
Hi ,Do you have Investment Property insurance within you product range ??
Regards,
Rod
Hi Rod,
Thank you for your enquiry. Finder.com.au does not actually represent Woolworths travel insurance as we compare travel insurance products from a range of different providers. The Woolworths Home Insurance range of products does not include investment property insurance and is currently limited to;
Building and contents insurance
Contents insurance
Building insurance
Thank you for your enquiry and all the best.
Will