If you own a free standing home in Armadale, WA 6112, you've probably wondered whether you're paying a fair price for building insurance — or whether there's a better deal out there. This article breaks down a real building-only insurance quote for a three-bedroom, double brick home in Armadale, comparing it against local, state-wide, and national benchmarks so you can make a more informed decision.
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Is This Quote Fair?
The quote in question comes in at $1,399 per year (or roughly $139 per month) for building-only cover, with a sum insured of $505,000 and a building excess of $3,000. Our price rating for this quote is FAIR — Around Average.
That "fair" rating isn't a red flag, but it's also not a green light to stop shopping. It means this premium sits in a reasonable range for the area — not suspiciously cheap, not eyebrow-raisingly expensive. For a 1983-built home with standard fittings and ducted climate control, the insurer has priced the risk in line with what most comparable properties attract.
The $3,000 building excess is worth noting. A higher excess typically lowers your annual premium, so if you're comparing this quote to others with a $500 or $1,000 excess, keep in mind you'd be taking on more out-of-pocket risk in the event of a claim. Make sure you're comparing apples with apples.
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How Armadale Compares
To understand whether $1,399 represents value, it helps to look at the broader pricing landscape. Based on data from 58 quotes in the Armadale 6112 area:
| Benchmark | Premium |
|---|---|
| This quote | $1,399/yr |
| Suburb average | $1,233/yr |
| Suburb median | $998/yr |
| Suburb 25th percentile | $705/yr |
| Suburb 75th percentile | $1,722/yr |
| LGA (Armadale) average | $1,708/yr |
This quote sits above the suburb average and median, but comfortably within the middle band of pricing — below the 75th percentile. In other words, roughly a quarter of Armadale homeowners are paying more than this quote. That's a reasonable position to be in, though it does suggest there may be room to find a lower premium with the right insurer.
Zooming out to the state level, the picture shifts considerably. The WA state average for home building insurance sits at $2,811 per year, with a median of $2,127. Armadale's pricing is notably lower than the WA average — a reflection of the suburb's relatively lower natural hazard risk profile compared to coastal or cyclone-prone parts of the state.
At the national level, the contrast is even more striking. The national average premium is $5,347 per year, with a median of $2,764. High-risk regions in Queensland and Northern Australia heavily influence these figures, so direct comparisons can be misleading — but it does underscore just how much location shapes what you pay.
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Property Features That Affect Your Premium
Every home is different, and insurers price risk based on a combination of factors. Here's how the key features of this property likely influence the premium:
Double Brick Construction Double brick is generally viewed favourably by insurers. It's more resistant to fire, wind, and structural damage than lightweight cladding or weatherboard. This construction type can work in a homeowner's favour when it comes to premium pricing.
Tiled Roof Terracotta or concrete tiles are a common and well-regarded roofing material in WA. They offer good durability and weather resistance, though they can be prone to cracking under impact. Overall, a tiled roof is a neutral-to-positive factor for insurers.
Slab Foundation A concrete slab foundation is standard for homes of this era in WA and presents minimal additional risk from an underwriting perspective.
Timber and Laminate Flooring While flooring type is more relevant for contents insurance, it can influence reinstatement cost estimates. Timber flooring in particular can be expensive to replace, which may be factored into the sum insured calculation.
Ducted Climate Control This is a meaningful inclusion. Ducted systems are costly to repair or replace, and their presence can nudge the sum insured — and therefore the premium — upward. It's worth ensuring your $505,000 sum insured adequately accounts for this.
1983 Build Year Older homes can carry slightly higher risk in some insurer models due to ageing electrical wiring, plumbing, and roofing materials. That said, a well-maintained double brick home from this era is generally considered a solid, reliable structure.
No Pool, No Solar Panels The absence of a pool and solar panels removes two common sources of additional premium loading, keeping costs more straightforward.
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Tips for Homeowners in Armadale
1. Review your sum insured regularly Building costs have risen sharply across Australia in recent years. A sum insured of $505,000 for a 130 sqm home may be appropriate today, but it's worth recalculating every year — especially if you've made improvements or renovations. Underinsurance is one of the most common and costly mistakes homeowners make.
2. Consider your excess carefully This quote carries a $3,000 building excess. If you rarely make claims and have savings to cover smaller repairs, a higher excess can be a smart way to reduce your annual premium. However, if you'd struggle to cover that amount out of pocket after a storm or fire, a lower excess with a slightly higher premium may suit you better.
3. Don't auto-renew without comparing Insurers often increase premiums at renewal without significant changes to your policy. Even if you're happy with your current cover, it costs nothing to run a comparison before you pay. Armadale's competitive pricing landscape means there are options worth exploring.
4. Check what's actually covered Building-only cover protects the structure of your home — walls, roof, floors, and fixed fittings like your ducted climate control system. It does not cover your furniture, appliances, or personal belongings. If you haven't already, consider whether a combined building and contents policy might offer better overall value.
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Ready to Compare?
Whether you're renewing your current policy or shopping for the first time, comparing quotes is the smartest move you can make. CoverClub makes it easy to see what multiple insurers would charge for your specific property — no obligation, no hassle. Get a home insurance quote today and find out if you could be paying less for the same level of cover.