Garbutt is a well-established suburb of Townsville in North Queensland — and like much of the region, it comes with a distinct set of insurance considerations. This article takes a close look at a real home and contents insurance quote for a 2-bedroom, free standing weatherboard home in Garbutt (postcode 4814), helping you understand what drives the cost and whether the premium stacks up.
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Is This Quote Fair?
The quote in question comes in at $3,843 per year (or $376/month) for combined home and contents cover, with a building sum insured of $360,000 and contents valued at $50,000. Both the building and contents excess are set at $1,000.
Our price rating for this quote is FAIR — Around Average, and the data backs that up. Based on 23 quotes collected for Garbutt (4814), the suburb average sits at $4,261/yr and the median at $3,997/yr. This quote lands comfortably below both figures, placing it in a solid position relative to what most Garbutt homeowners are paying.
To put it in percentile terms: the 25th percentile for the suburb is $3,385/yr and the 75th percentile is $4,776/yr. At $3,843, this quote sits just above the cheaper quarter of the market — meaning roughly 75% of comparable quotes in the area cost more. That's a reasonable outcome for a property with this risk profile.
It's worth noting that "fair" doesn't necessarily mean you can't do better. There's still meaningful variation in the market, and shopping around could potentially push this closer to the 25th percentile range.
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How Garbutt Compares
One of the most striking things about this quote is how it sits against broader benchmarks. Let's unpack the numbers:
| Benchmark | Premium |
|---|---|
| This quote | $3,843/yr |
| Garbutt suburb average | $4,261/yr |
| Garbutt suburb median | $3,997/yr |
| Townsville LGA average | $7,340/yr |
| QLD state average | $9,129/yr |
| QLD state median | $3,903/yr |
| National average | $5,347/yr |
| National median | $2,764/yr |
The Queensland state average of $9,129/yr looks alarming at first glance, but it's heavily skewed by extreme premiums in high-risk coastal and cyclone-prone postcodes across the state. The QLD median of $3,903/yr is a more representative figure — and this quote sits just below that, which is reassuring.
Compared to the national average of $5,347/yr, this quote is notably cheaper, though the national median of $2,764/yr reflects the large number of lower-risk properties in southern states that bring costs down significantly. Garbutt's proximity to the coast and its cyclone exposure mean it will always sit above that southern baseline.
The Townsville LGA average of $7,340/yr is particularly telling. Many properties in the broader LGA face significantly higher premiums — this quote at $3,843 is well under half that figure, suggesting this specific property's characteristics are working in the homeowner's favour.
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Property Features That Affect Your Premium
Several attributes of this property have a direct bearing on what insurers charge. Here's how the key features play out:
Cyclone risk area: Garbutt falls within a designated cyclone risk zone, which is one of the most significant premium drivers in North Queensland. Insurers price this risk heavily, and it's the primary reason Townsville-area premiums tend to run well above the national median.
Construction era (1953): Older homes built in the 1950s can attract higher premiums due to the increased likelihood of wear in structural elements, plumbing, and wiring. However, homes of this era in Queensland were often built to withstand the climate, and many have been well maintained or upgraded over the decades.
Weatherboard timber walls: Timber weatherboard is considered a moderate-to-higher risk material compared to brick or rendered masonry, as it is more susceptible to fire, termite damage, and storm impact. This will influence how insurers assess the building risk.
Steel/Colorbond roof: On the positive side, a Colorbond steel roof is generally viewed favourably by insurers. It's durable, cyclone-rated when properly installed, and resistant to many of the weather events common in North Queensland.
Elevated on stumps (less than 1m): Stump foundations are characteristic of traditional Queensland homes and offer some flood mitigation benefit by lifting the floor above ground level. Being elevated by less than one metre provides a modest degree of protection, though it may not fully satisfy insurers' flood resilience criteria in the way a higher elevation would.
Solar panels: The presence of solar panels adds replacement value to the property. It's important to confirm with your insurer that the panels are explicitly covered under your building sum insured, as some policies treat them differently.
Timber/laminate flooring and standard fittings: These factors suggest a mid-range rebuild cost, which aligns with the $360,000 building sum insured — a reasonable figure for a 105 sqm home in this region when factoring in demolition, removal, and reconstruction.
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Tips for Homeowners in Garbutt
1. Review your building sum insured regularly Construction costs in Queensland have risen substantially in recent years. A sum insured of $360,000 for a 105 sqm home should be reviewed at least annually to ensure it reflects current rebuild costs — not just the market value of the property. Underinsurance is one of the most common and costly mistakes homeowners make.
2. Ask specifically about cyclone cover and excess In cyclone-prone areas, many policies include a separate cyclone excess that applies in addition to your standard excess. Make sure you understand exactly what applies in a storm or cyclone event, as this can significantly affect your out-of-pocket costs at claim time.
3. Confirm solar panel coverage With solar panels on the roof, it's worth getting written confirmation from your insurer that these are included in your building cover. Some policies require panels to be listed separately or have specific sub-limits. Given replacement costs for a solar system can run into the thousands, this is worth clarifying upfront.
4. Compare quotes before renewal Even if your current premium feels reasonable, the home insurance market in Townsville is competitive enough that switching providers at renewal can yield meaningful savings. Use a comparison platform like CoverClub to benchmark your renewal offer before automatically accepting it.
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Compare Your Own Quote
Whether you're a first-time buyer or a long-term Garbutt resident, it pays to know where your premium sits relative to the market. CoverClub makes it easy to compare home and contents insurance quotes in one place — so you can see exactly what's available for your property and make a confident, informed decision.
Get a quote and compare today at CoverClub →
You can also explore detailed premium data for your area on the Garbutt suburb stats page or browse Queensland-wide insurance trends to see how your postcode fits into the bigger picture.