Home insurance havoc: 69% of customers say their premiums have gone up

Aussies are having to fork out even more on their home and contents insurance, according to new research by Finder.
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A staggering 69% of homeowners – equivalent to 6.4 million households – say their premiums have gone up in the past 12 months, according to a new Finder survey.
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The research found a further 1 in 10 are in the dark – with 9% of respondents admitting they don't know whether their premiums had gone up in the past year.
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Peta Taylor, insurance expert at Finder, said premium increases are a growing burden.
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"Insuring your home is becoming even more expensive as insurers pass on the cost of more frequent and severe weather events.
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"Your house is often your biggest asset, and home insurance is a vital investment to protect yourself from financial loss due to damage or theft, but it still stings when the bill jumps."
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Taylor said there are ways Aussie homeowners can insulate themselves from rising costs.
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"Many insurers will give you a discount for paying your premium annually.
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"Likewise, you often can pay less by increasing your excess, but this might mean you feel the sting when it comes time to make a claim.
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"Oftentimes, the way to score the biggest discount is to switch to a different provider.
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"The good news if you find a better or cheaper policy is you can switch at any time – even if you've paid 12 months up front – your insurer will refund you the days remaining on the policy."
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Taylor said it's never been more important to shop around.
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"Just as no two homes are alike, insurance pricing and coverage can vary widely between providers.
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"That's why it's essential to compare coverage options and available discounts, and choose a policy that offers the right protection at the best price for you.
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"The competition is fierce – providers are now offering reduced premiums, smart sensors and even airline points for those willing to switch."
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To help Australians make better decisions when it comes to their home and contents insurance, Finder has revealed the winners of its Home Insurance Awards 2025.
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Finder compared 52 policies from 31 providers in Australia to help find some of the best value policies.
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AAMI Home & Contents Insurance was awarded top spot for Best Value Home Insurance, while Australia Post Home & Contents Insurance took top gong for Best Comprehensive Home Insurance.
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Taylor said you can't be sure you're getting a good deal if you don't know what you're actually paying for.
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"Nobody wants to read their product disclosure statement (PDS) for their home insurance, but the benefits will outweigh the boredom if it means you can save money on your policy.
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"When looking for a policy, prioritise core coverage like building insurance, and ensure the sum insured will cover a complete rebuild if the worst happens.
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"After that, make sure your contents insurance accurately reflects the replacement value of your possessions."
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Has your home and contents insurance premiums gone up in the past 12 months?
| Yes | 69% |
| No | 22% |
| I don't know | 9% |
| Source: Finder survey of 1,009 respondents, 416 of whom have home and contents insurance, November 2024 |
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Methodology
- Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker is a monthly recurring nationally representative survey of more than 60,000 respondents.
- Figures in this release are based on 1,009 respondents, 416 of whom have home and contents insurance, November 2024.
- The Consumer Sentiment Tracker is owned by Finder and operated by Qualtrics.
- The survey has been running monthly since May 2019.
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Sources
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