If you own a free standing home in Bedford, WA 6062, you're probably curious about whether you're paying a fair price for home insurance — or leaving money on the table. This article breaks down a real home and contents insurance quote for a three-bedroom, double brick home in Bedford, compares it against Western Australian and national benchmarks, and shares practical tips to help you get the best value cover.
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Is This Quote Fair?
The annual premium for this property came in at $1,669 per year (or roughly $160 per month), covering both building (sum insured: $600,000) and contents ($70,000), each with a $1,000 excess.
Our price rating for this quote is CHEAP — below average — which is great news for the homeowner. To put that in perspective:
- The WA state average premium is $2,811/yr, and the median sits at $2,127/yr
- The national average is a steep $5,347/yr, with a national median of $2,764/yr
At $1,669/yr, this quote comes in 40% below the WA state average and a remarkable 69% below the national average. Even against the more conservative WA median, it's still about 22% cheaper. By any measure, this is a competitive premium for the level of cover provided.
That said, "cheap" doesn't automatically mean "right." It's worth checking that the sum insured accurately reflects the cost to rebuild your home and that your contents cover is sufficient — both of which we'll touch on below.
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How Bedford Compares
Bedford sits within the City of Bayswater local government area, and the LGA-level data tells an interesting story. The Bayswater LGA average premium is $1,514/yr — notably lower than the broader WA state average of $2,811/yr. This quote of $1,669/yr sits just slightly above the LGA average, which is consistent with the "cheap" rating and suggests Bedford is generally a lower-risk, more affordable suburb to insure.
Here's a quick snapshot:
| Benchmark | Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| This Quote | $1,669 |
| Bayswater LGA Average | $1,514 |
| WA State Average | $2,811 |
| WA State Median | $2,127 |
| National Average | $5,347 |
| National Median | $2,764 |
You can explore more suburb-specific data on the Bedford insurance stats page, dig into WA state insurance trends, or see how the whole country stacks up on the national stats page.
The relatively low premiums across the Bayswater LGA likely reflect a combination of factors: minimal exposure to extreme weather events, established suburban infrastructure, and a predominantly brick-built housing stock — all of which reduce risk in the eyes of insurers.
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Property Features That Affect Your Premium
Several characteristics of this particular property work in the homeowner's favour when it comes to pricing:
Double Brick Construction
Double brick is widely regarded as one of the most resilient wall types in Australia. It offers strong resistance to fire, wind, and impact damage, which insurers reward with lower premiums. Compared to weatherboard or lightweight cladding, double brick homes typically attract meaningfully cheaper quotes.
Tiled Roof
A tiled roof is considered a durable, low-maintenance option by most insurers. While tiles can crack under severe hail, they generally perform well in the mild Perth climate and are far less susceptible to fire spread than Colorbond or older corrugated iron roofing.
Slab Foundation
A concrete slab foundation reduces the risk of subsidence and underfloor damage, both of which can be costly claims. This is a positive risk factor for insurers.
Construction Year: 1973
Homes built in the early 1970s are well-established but may have ageing plumbing, wiring, or roofing components. Insurers sometimes apply a modest loading for older homes, though the solid double brick construction of this era often offsets that concern.
Solar Panels
This property has solar panels installed, which adds a small amount of insurable value to the building. Most home insurance policies cover rooftop solar panels as part of the building sum insured, so it's worth confirming your policy includes them — and that your building sum insured accounts for their replacement cost.
Ducted Climate Control
Ducted air conditioning systems are a significant fixed asset. Like solar panels, they should be factored into your building sum insured. A system that's not adequately covered could leave you out of pocket in the event of a major claim.
No Pool, No Cyclone Risk
The absence of a swimming pool removes a common liability and maintenance risk factor. Bedford is also outside designated cyclone risk zones, which keeps premiums lower compared to properties in northern WA.
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Tips for Homeowners in Bedford
1. Double-check your building sum insured $600,000 is a substantial sum insured for a 130 sqm home, but rebuild costs have risen sharply in recent years due to labour and materials inflation. Use a building cost calculator or speak to a quantity surveyor to make sure your cover keeps pace with current construction costs — underinsurance is a real and common risk.
2. Review your contents cover annually $70,000 in contents cover is a reasonable starting point, but it's easy to accumulate more than you realise. Go room by room and tally up the replacement value of furniture, appliances, electronics, clothing, and valuables. Many Australians find they're underinsured on contents.
3. Consider a higher excess to lower your premium further If you're financially comfortable absorbing a larger out-of-pocket cost in a minor claim, increasing your excess (say, from $1,000 to $2,000) can reduce your annual premium. Just make sure the saving is meaningful before making the switch.
4. Compare quotes at renewal time Even if your current premium is competitive, the insurance market changes constantly. Loyalty doesn't always pay — insurers frequently offer better rates to new customers. Set a reminder to compare quotes a few weeks before your policy renews each year.
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Ready to Compare?
Whether you're a Bedford local or just researching home insurance options across Perth, CoverClub makes it easy to compare quotes from multiple insurers in minutes. Get a quote today and see how much you could save on your home and contents insurance.