Bayonet Head is a quiet, well-established suburb on the outskirts of Albany in Western Australia's Great Southern region. Known for its leafy streets and proximity to Middleton Beach and the Albany waterfront, it attracts families and sea-changers alike. If you own a townhouse here, understanding what you're paying for home insurance — and whether that price is reasonable — is an important part of protecting one of your biggest assets.
This article breaks down a real home and contents insurance quote for a five-bedroom townhouse in Bayonet Head (postcode 6330), compares it against WA and national benchmarks, and offers practical tips to help you get the best value cover.
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Is This Quote Fair?
The quote in question comes in at $2,593 per year (or $249/month) for combined home and contents insurance, covering a building sum insured of $968,000 and contents valued at $70,000. Both the building and contents carry a $1,000 excess.
Our pricing analysis rates this quote as Fair — Around Average. That's a reasonable result, meaning the premium isn't a bargain but it's also not inflated. For a property of this size and construction type in regional WA, paying close to the mid-range is a sensible outcome, particularly given the relatively high building sum insured of nearly $1 million.
It's worth remembering that "fair" doesn't mean you can't do better. Insurance premiums vary significantly between providers, and shopping around — even when your current rate seems reasonable — can uncover savings of hundreds of dollars per year.
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How Bayonet Head Compares
Putting this quote into context requires looking at a few different benchmarks. Unfortunately, there isn't enough suburb-level data to produce a precise Bayonet Head average, but we can draw meaningful comparisons at the LGA, state, and national level. You can explore the latest figures on the Bayonet Head insurance stats page.
| Benchmark | Average Premium |
|---|---|
| This Quote | $2,593/yr |
| Albany LGA Average | $1,882/yr |
| WA State Average | $2,811/yr |
| WA State Median | $2,127/yr |
| National Average | $5,347/yr |
| National Median | $2,764/yr |
A few things stand out here. The quote sits above the Albany LGA average of $1,882, which suggests the specific characteristics of this property — particularly its size, elevated construction, and high building sum insured — are pushing the premium higher than a typical home in the area.
Against WA state benchmarks, the quote looks quite reasonable. It's notably below the state average of $2,811 and only slightly above the state median of $2,127. When measured against national figures, the quote is well below both the national average ($5,347) and the national median ($2,764) — a reflection of Albany's relatively lower risk profile compared to high-cost markets like parts of Queensland, northern NSW, and Darwin.
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Property Features That Affect Your Premium
Several characteristics of this townhouse directly influence the cost of insuring it. Understanding these factors helps explain why the premium sits where it does.
Double Brick Construction Double brick is one of the most insurer-friendly wall types in Australia. It's durable, fire-resistant, and less susceptible to storm damage than lightweight cladding or weatherboard. Homes with double brick exteriors typically attract lower premiums, and this property benefits from that.
Tiled Roof Terracotta or concrete tiles are a solid roofing choice from an insurance perspective. They're long-lasting and perform well in moderate weather conditions. Compared to corrugated iron or older materials like asbestos sheeting, tiles are generally viewed favourably by underwriters.
Slab Foundation A concrete slab foundation is standard across much of WA and is considered low-risk by most insurers. It provides a stable base without the complexities associated with stumped or suspended floors.
Elevated by At Least 1 Metre This is an interesting feature for a slab-founded townhouse. Being elevated adds some complexity — it can increase rebuilding costs, which may partly explain the high building sum insured of $968,000 for a 139 sqm property. However, elevation can also reduce flood and water ingress risk, which is a positive from an underwriting standpoint.
Ducted Climate Control The presence of ducted air conditioning adds to the replacement value of the home and is factored into the building sum insured. It's a standard inclusion for a quality townhouse but does contribute modestly to the overall premium.
No Pool, No Solar Panels The absence of a swimming pool and solar panels keeps the risk profile clean. Pools add liability exposure and maintenance risk, while solar panels can complicate roof claims. Neither being present is a small but genuine advantage.
1991 Build Year A property built in 1991 is now over 30 years old. While double brick construction ages well, insurers do pay attention to the age of roofing, plumbing, and electrical systems. It's worth ensuring these have been updated or maintained, as ageing infrastructure can affect both your premium and your ability to make a claim.
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Tips for Homeowners in Bayonet Head
1. Review Your Building Sum Insured Carefully At $968,000 for a 139 sqm townhouse, the building sum insured is on the higher side. This figure should reflect the full cost of rebuilding — not the market value of the property. Use an independent building cost calculator or speak with a quantity surveyor to confirm this figure is accurate. Being over-insured means you're paying more than necessary; being under-insured can leave you seriously out of pocket after a major claim.
2. Consider Raising Your Excess to Lower Your Premium Both the building and contents excess are set at $1,000. Many insurers will offer a meaningful premium reduction if you're willing to accept a higher excess — say $2,000 or $2,500. If you have the savings to cover a larger out-of-pocket expense in the event of a claim, this can be a smart way to reduce your annual outgoings.
3. Bundle Home and Contents — But Still Compare This quote already combines home and contents cover, which typically attracts a discount compared to holding two separate policies. That said, not all bundled deals are equal. It's worth running a comparison to ensure you're getting genuine value from the bundle, rather than simply assuming it's the best option available.
4. Keep Up With Home Maintenance Albany's coastal climate — with its salt air, winter storms, and occasional heavy rainfall — can accelerate wear on roofing, gutters, and external surfaces. Insurers can reduce or deny claims where damage is attributed to lack of maintenance. Staying on top of repairs, particularly to the roof and drainage, protects both your home and your ability to claim.
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Ready to Compare?
Whether you're happy with your current insurer or looking for a better deal, it pays to check what else is on the market. Get a home insurance quote at CoverClub and see how your premium stacks up against competing policies — it only takes a few minutes and could save you hundreds.