If you own a free standing home in Clontarf, QLD 4019, you're likely no stranger to the question of whether your home insurance premium is fair value. Clontarf is a relaxed bayside suburb on the Redcliffe Peninsula in Moreton Bay, popular with families and retirees alike — and like many coastal Queensland suburbs, it comes with its own unique set of insurance considerations. This article breaks down a real home and contents insurance quote for a three-bedroom, one-bathroom free standing home in the area, and puts it in context against local, state, and national benchmarks.
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Is This Quote Fair?
The quote in question comes in at $2,258 per year (or $205/month) for combined home and contents cover, with a building sum insured of $385,000 and contents valued at $20,000. The building excess sits at $5,000 and the contents excess at $1,000.
Our price rating for this quote is FAIR — Around Average, and the data backs that up. Against the Clontarf suburb average of $2,302/year, this quote comes in slightly below average — a modest but meaningful saving of around $44 annually. It also sits just under the suburb median of $2,273/year, placing it in reasonably competitive territory.
That said, "fair" doesn't necessarily mean "the best available." There's a wide spread of premiums in this suburb, with the 25th percentile sitting at $1,665/year and the 75th percentile reaching $2,867/year. That's a difference of over $1,200 between cheaper and more expensive quotes — which means there's genuine room to shop around and potentially land a better deal.
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How Clontarf Compares
To really understand whether this quote represents good value, it helps to zoom out.
| Benchmark | Premium |
|---|---|
| This Quote | $2,258/yr |
| Clontarf Suburb Average | $2,302/yr |
| Clontarf Suburb Median | $2,273/yr |
| Moreton Bay LGA Average | $3,435/yr |
| QLD State Average | $9,129/yr |
| QLD State Median | $3,903/yr |
| National Average | $5,347/yr |
| National Median | $2,764/yr |
The numbers tell an interesting story. While the QLD state average premium is a staggering $9,129/year — heavily skewed by high-risk cyclone and flood-prone areas in far north and western Queensland — the state median of $3,903/year is a more realistic comparison point. Against that figure, this Clontarf quote looks quite competitive.
Nationally, the average premium sits at $5,347/year, though again the median of $2,764/year is the more useful reference. This quote comes in below the national median, which is a positive sign for the homeowner.
Compared to the broader Moreton Bay LGA average of $3,435/year, this quote is notably cheaper — roughly $1,177/year less. This suggests that properties in Clontarf may attract relatively moderate premiums within the region, though individual property features still play a significant role.
You can explore more localised data on the Clontarf insurance stats page.
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Property Features That Affect Your Premium
Several characteristics of this particular property have a direct bearing on the premium quoted. Understanding these factors can help you make sense of your own insurance costs.
Fibro Asbestos External Walls
This is arguably the most significant risk factor for this property. Homes built with fibro asbestos (also known as fibrous cement sheeting containing asbestos) were common in Australia from the 1940s through to the 1980s, and this home — constructed in 1953 — is a classic example. Insurers treat asbestos-containing materials with caution because, in the event of damage, removal and remediation costs can be substantially higher than for conventional materials. This almost certainly contributes to a higher base premium and the elevated building excess of $5,000.
Age of the Property
At over 70 years old, this home is considered an older dwelling. Older properties can present higher risks related to ageing electrical wiring, plumbing, and structural components — all of which insurers factor into their pricing models.
Stump Foundation
The home sits on stumps, which is very common for Queensland homes of this era. Stump foundations can be susceptible to movement, rot (for timber stumps), or subsidence over time, which may influence how insurers assess structural risk.
Timber and Laminate Flooring
Timber flooring, while aesthetically appealing, can be more costly to repair or replace than concrete slab alternatives following events like flooding or fire — another factor that nudges premiums slightly higher.
Solar Panels
The presence of solar panels on the roof is worth noting. While solar panels can sometimes add a small amount to the insured value of a home, many insurers now include them under standard building cover. It's worth confirming with your insurer that your panels are explicitly covered and that the sum insured accounts for their replacement cost.
Steel/Colorbond Roof
On the positive side, a Colorbond steel roof is generally well-regarded by insurers. It's durable, fire-resistant, and performs well in storms — all of which can work in your favour at renewal time.
No Cyclone Risk
Clontarf falls outside designated cyclone risk zones, which is a meaningful advantage for Moreton Bay homeowners. Cyclone-rated properties in northern Queensland can attract premiums many times higher, so this is a genuine cost saving.
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Tips for Homeowners in Clontarf
Whether you're reviewing your current policy or shopping for a new one, here are four practical steps to help manage your home insurance costs.
- Review your sum insured regularly. Construction costs have risen significantly in recent years. Make sure your $385,000 building sum insured reflects the actual cost to rebuild your home — not its market value. Underinsurance is one of the most common and costly mistakes homeowners make.
- Ask about asbestos disclosure and cover. Given the fibro asbestos construction, have an explicit conversation with your insurer about how asbestos removal is handled in a claim. Some policies have sub-limits or exclusions around hazardous material removal — knowing this upfront avoids nasty surprises.
- Consider increasing your excess to reduce your premium. The building excess on this policy is already set at $5,000, which is relatively high. If you're comfortable self-insuring smaller claims, a higher excess can meaningfully reduce your annual premium. Just ensure you have the savings to cover it if needed.
- Shop around at renewal. With a 25th-to-75th percentile spread of over $1,200 in Clontarf alone, loyalty doesn't always pay. Use a comparison tool like CoverClub to benchmark your renewal quote against the current market before you automatically renew.
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Compare Your Home Insurance Quote Today
Whether this quote is the right fit depends on your full circumstances — but the data suggests it's a reasonable starting point for a property with these characteristics in Clontarf. The best way to know for certain is to compare. At CoverClub, you can get a home and contents insurance quote tailored to your property and see how it stacks up against real premiums in your suburb. Start your comparison here and make sure you're not paying more than you need to.