Butler is a well-established suburb in Perth's northern corridor, sitting within the City of Wanneroo and roughly 40 kilometres north of the CBD. It's a popular choice for families, thanks to its modern streetscapes, coastal proximity, and a strong mix of brick-and-tile homes. This article takes a close look at a real home and contents insurance quote for a four-bedroom, two-bathroom free standing home in Butler (postcode 6036) — examining whether the price stacks up, how it compares to broader benchmarks, and what homeowners in the area can do to get better value.
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Is This Quote Fair?
The annual premium for this property came in at $1,214 per year (or about $121 per month), covering both building and contents. The building is insured for $700,000 and contents for $120,000, with a building excess of $2,000 and a contents excess of $600.
Our price rating for this quote is FAIR — Around Average.
That assessment holds up well when you look at the numbers. The suburb average for Butler sits at $1,292 per year, meaning this quote comes in roughly $78 below what most Butler homeowners are paying. It's also comfortably below the suburb's 75th percentile of $1,709, suggesting the policyholder isn't overpaying relative to their neighbours.
That said, the suburb median — the true midpoint of quotes collected — is $966 per year, and the 25th percentile sits at $871. So while this quote is reasonable, there's a meaningful gap between it and the cheaper end of the market. Whether that gap is justified depends heavily on the property's specific features, which we'll explore below.
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How Butler Compares to the Rest of WA and Australia
One of the most striking takeaways from this data is just how affordable Butler is compared to broader benchmarks.
| Benchmark | Average Premium |
|---|---|
| Butler (suburb average) | $1,292/yr |
| City of Wanneroo (LGA average) | $1,550/yr |
| Western Australia (state average) | $2,144/yr |
| Australia (national average) | $2,965/yr |
Butler's suburb average of $1,292 is 41% below the WA state average of $2,144, and a remarkable 56% below the national average of $2,965. Even compared to the broader City of Wanneroo LGA average of $1,550, Butler comes out well ahead.
This reflects a few key factors: Butler is not classified as a cyclone risk area, it sits outside high-bushfire-risk zones, and its relatively modern housing stock (most homes built post-1990) tends to attract more competitive premiums. You can explore the full WA state insurance data or check national benchmarks to see how different regions stack up.
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Property Features That Affect Your Premium
Every home is different, and insurers price risk based on a detailed picture of the property. Here's how the key features of this particular home are likely influencing the premium:
Double Brick Construction Double brick is widely regarded as one of the most resilient wall materials available in Australian residential construction. It offers excellent resistance to impact, fire, and weather — all factors that reduce an insurer's expected claim costs. Homes with double brick walls typically attract lower premiums than those built with lightweight cladding or weatherboard.
Steel / Colorbond Roof Colorbond steel roofing is durable, low-maintenance, and performs well in high-wind and heat conditions. It's a common choice across Perth's northern suburbs and is generally viewed favourably by insurers. Unlike older terracotta or concrete tiles, Colorbond doesn't crack or become brittle with age.
Slab Foundation A concrete slab foundation is standard for homes of this era in Western Australia. It offers good structural stability and is less susceptible to subsidence or pest-related damage compared to older timber subfloor systems.
Swimming Pool Pools add value to a property but also introduce additional liability considerations. Most home insurance policies include some form of legal liability cover, and having a pool can marginally increase the premium due to the associated risk of injury on the premises.
Solar Panels Solar panels are increasingly common on Perth homes, and most insurers will cover them under a building policy — but it's worth confirming this explicitly. Panels represent a significant capital investment (often $8,000–$15,000 or more), and ensuring they're captured in the building sum insured is important.
Ducted Climate Control Ducted air conditioning systems are fixed to the structure and are generally covered under building insurance. They can add to the overall replacement cost of the home, so it's worth ensuring the $700,000 building sum insured accurately reflects the cost to rebuild — including these built-in systems.
Building Size: 214 sqm At 214 square metres, this is a mid-to-large family home. Rebuild costs in Perth currently range from approximately $2,000 to $3,500+ per square metre depending on finish and complexity. At $700,000 insured, the implied rebuild rate sits around $3,270 per sqm — which is on the higher end but reasonable given the double brick construction and included fittings.
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Tips for Homeowners in Butler
1. Review Your Sum Insured Annually Construction costs in Perth have risen significantly over the past few years due to labour shortages and material price increases. A sum insured that was adequate in 2022 may no longer be sufficient today. Use a building cost calculator or speak with a quantity surveyor to ensure your $700,000 cover still reflects the true cost to rebuild your home.
2. Consider Raising Your Excess to Lower Your Premium This policy carries a $2,000 building excess, which is already relatively high. However, if you have the financial buffer to absorb a larger out-of-pocket cost in the event of a claim, some insurers will offer a meaningful premium reduction for a higher voluntary excess. It's worth modelling the trade-off.
3. Confirm Solar Panel Coverage Given the solar panels on this property, it's worth calling your insurer to confirm exactly how they're covered — whether under the building policy, as a separate listed item, or not at all. Some policies have sub-limits or exclusions for solar systems, particularly for damage caused by power surges or inverter failure.
4. Shop the Market Every 12 Months With a suburb average of $1,292 and a 25th percentile of just $871, there's clearly meaningful variation in what Butler homeowners are paying. Loyalty doesn't always pay in insurance — comparing quotes annually is one of the simplest ways to ensure you're not drifting into the expensive end of the market without realising it.
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Compare Your Own Quote
Curious whether your home insurance premium is competitive? CoverClub makes it easy to benchmark your cover against real data from your suburb, your state, and across Australia. Get a quote and compare in minutes — no jargon, no obligation, just clarity on whether you're paying a fair price.