Complete guide to home insurance

How to choose home insurance 

Finding the right home insurance policy 

Home insurance can feel overwhelming at first, especially if you’re taking out a policy for the first time. Understanding the different types of cover can make it easier to work out what suits your home, your belongings and the way you live. 

Learn the basics of home insurance and find the right policy for your needs.  

Shared insurance policies: pros and cons 

If you share your home with a partner, a joint insurance policy might seem like the obvious choice. But it’s worth understanding how insurance policies with more than one insured work, and where the pros and cons sit, before you commit. 

Before committing, learn the benefits and risks of a shared insurance policy. 

Do renters need home insurance? 

Your belongings can be some of your most valuable assets when you’re renting, so it makes sense to help protect them 

Discover all about renters insurance and what it can help cover. 

Insurance for townhouse and duplex residents 

Townhouses and duplexes that fall under a strata agreement can come with a few extra insurance considerations. If your property is part of a strata agreement, it helps to know where building cover ends and your own responsibilities begin. 

Find out more about how home insurance works if you live in a townhouse or duplex. 

How accidental damage cover works 

Accidents happen. When they do, having Accidental Damage Cover as an optional extra on your home insurance policy can help minimise the financial burden. 

Learn how accidental damage cover works and what sort of scenarios it can help cover. 

How do I insure valuable and portable items? 

What is Valuable Items Cover? 

Some belongings need a little more thought when you’re working out your cover. Items such as artworks and jewellery may be eligible for Valuable Items Cover, depending on the policy and item. 

Learn how to insure some of your most previous belongings with Valuable Items Cover. 

What is Portable Items Cover? 

Some of the belongings we rely on most are the ones we take with us every day. Portable Items Cover can help protect certain items when they’re taken outside the home. 

Here’s how to insure certain items with Portable Items Insurance. 

Insuring smartphones, laptops and other electronics 

Mobile phones and laptops can feel so ingrained in day-to-day living that it can be easy to forget them when taking out a home insurance policy. Yet, their loss can greatly impact our lives and work.  

Find out how insurance works for mobile phones and for laptops. 

Can jewellery be insured?  

Valuable pieces of jewellery are often a target for thieves as they’re easy to steal, conceal and resell. While there’s no replacing the sentimental value, insuring your jewellery can help reduce  the financial impact if it’s stolen or damaged in an insured event.  

Learn how you can insure your jewellery, including rings and watches. 

Should you insure your clothes? 

It might feel trivial including the value of your clothes when calculating your insurance needs. But imagine how much it might cost to replace your whole wardrobe should you lose it all at once in an insured event, such as in a house fire. 

Here’s what you need to know about insuring your clothes correctly. 

How to help avoid underinsurance

What is underinsurance? 

Underinsurance can have serious consequences, but many people don’t realise they’re underinsured until they need to make a claim. That’s why it’s worth checking your cover before something goes wrong. 

Learn what underinsurance means and the risks it can entail. 

How to tell if you’re underinsured 

It can be tricky determining if your home or contents is underinsured. Tips such as using a home and contents calculator, understanding your property’s zoning and the current market value of your possessions are all ways to help prevent being underinsured. 

Here’s how to tell if your home and contents are adequately insured. 

Make a home contents inventory 

Having an up-to-date home contents inventory can help reduce stress in the event you need to make a claim. 

Discover how to make a home contents inventory for insurance. 

Calculate the value of your contents 

Learning how to accurately value your belongings isn’t as hard as you might think. Plus, it’s a vital step in helping prevent being underinsured. 

Here’s how to accurately value your home contents. 

Don’t forget these items 

Some of the household items most often forgotten when calculating the value of your contents are also the items that are hardest to go without.  

This list rounds up some of the most common household items you might forget to insure.

When should you update your home insurance? 

Updating your home insurance policy 

Life changes, and your insurance often needs to change with it. Moving, renovating, buying major items or growing your household can all be reasons to review your cover. 

Discover the top reasons to update your home insurance coverage. 

Updating home insurance with renovations 

Renovating your family home can be an incredibly satisfying experience. But you might not realise the importance of notifying your insurer before works commence, and then updating your home insurance policy once complete. 

Find out the steps to take with your home insurance when planning renovations. 

Solar panels and insurance 

The benefits of solar panels are well documented and one in three Australian homes now have rooftop solar according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.  If you’re installing solar panels for the first time, you may need to update your Home Insurance to reflect the new feature. 

Learn more about home insurance coverage for solar panels.

Making a claim

How to make a home insurance claim 

Making a home insurance claim can feel daunting, especially if it’s your first time. Knowing what to expect can make the process feel more manageable when you’re already dealing with damage, loss or disruption. 

Here’s how to make a home insurance claim. 

What happens when you make a home insurance claim 

Curious as to what happens when you start the claims process? We’ve demystified the whole process, from what to do before claiming to what happens when you settle. 

Find out more about what happens when you make a home insurance claim.

How can I reduce risks at home? 

How to reduce the risk of storm damage 

Storms are part of life in Victoria, but a little preparation can go a long way. A few practical steps around the home can help reduce the risk of damage when severe weather hits. 

Learn how to prepare and stay safe during storms. 

Home maintenance that can help with home insurance

Completing routine maintenance around your property helps keep it in good condition and can reduce the likelihood of the unexpected  problems. 

Find out more about how regular home maintenance can help with home insurance. 

Fire safety tips and prevention in the home 

House fires can be devastating, so it’s vital Victorians actively take steps to prevent them .  

Keep your home and household safe with this guide to home fire hazards, prevention and safety. 

Preventing water damage and leaks 

Water damage can cause extensive damage to homes, especially where plumbing issues and hidden leaks go unaddressed for long periods.  

Learn how you can help prevent water damage in your home. 

How to improve home security and deter burglars 

There are a number of proactive steps you can take at home to help reduce your risk of being burgled.  

Here’s how to secure you home and deter burglars. 

Prepare for seasonal conditions 

Different times of the year can pose different safety hazards to your home and property. 

Learn how to prepare your home for the seasons, from summer storm safety tips, to household maintenance for winter and how to help prepare and protect your home from wind damage. 

Protect your home on holiday 

No one wants to return from holiday to discover their house has been robbed.  

Find out what items thieves want to steal from your home while you’re on holiday and how to deter them.