Hillarys is one of Perth's most sought-after coastal suburbs — a leafy, well-established neighbourhood in the City of Joondalup that consistently attracts families looking for quality homes close to the beach. If you own a free-standing home here, you're likely sitting on a significant asset, and making sure it's properly protected with the right home insurance is essential. This article breaks down a real home and contents insurance quote for a 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom property in Hillarys (postcode 6025) and helps you understand whether it represents fair value.
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Is This Quote Fair?
The quote in question comes in at $2,899 per year (or $279/month) for combined home and contents cover, with a building sum insured of $1,041,000 and contents valued at $80,000. Both the building and contents excess are set at $1,000.
Based on our pricing data, this quote is rated Expensive — above average for the area. It sits above both the suburb average ($2,238/yr) and the suburb median ($2,190/yr), and it's also above the 75th percentile for Hillarys, which sits at $2,788/yr. In plain terms, this quote is pricier than roughly three-quarters of comparable quotes in the same suburb.
That said, "expensive" doesn't automatically mean "wrong." The building sum insured of $1,041,000 is substantial, reflecting a larger-than-average home (235 sqm) with above-average fittings quality. Higher replacement costs naturally push premiums up, and insurers price accordingly. The inclusion of a pool, solar panels, and ducted climate control also adds to the insured value and risk profile of the property.
Still, if you're paying in the top quartile for your suburb, it's worth shopping around to make sure you're not overpaying for equivalent cover.
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How Hillarys Compares
Understanding where your premium sits relative to local and national benchmarks is one of the most useful things you can do as a homeowner. Here's how this quote stacks up:
| Benchmark | Premium |
|---|---|
| This Quote | $2,899/yr |
| Hillarys Suburb Average | $2,238/yr |
| Hillarys Suburb Median | $2,190/yr |
| Hillarys 25th Percentile | $1,562/yr |
| Hillarys 75th Percentile | $2,788/yr |
| LGA (Joondalup) Average | $2,112/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. First, the quote is above the Hillarys suburb average of $2,238/yr, based on a sample of 76 quotes — a solid dataset for a suburban postcode. It's also above the WA state average of $2,811/yr when looking at the median ($2,127/yr), though it's actually slightly above the state average premium of $2,811/yr too.
On a national scale, however, the picture looks quite different. The national average premium sits at $5,347/yr, heavily influenced by high-risk areas in Queensland and Northern Australia prone to cyclones and flooding. At $2,899/yr, this Hillarys quote is well below the national average — a reminder that Perth's relatively benign weather profile generally keeps premiums more manageable than much of the country.
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Property Features That Affect Your Premium
Several characteristics of this property influence how insurers calculate the premium. Here's a breakdown of the key factors at play:
Double Brick Construction
Hillarys is dominated by double brick homes, and for good reason — it's a durable, fire-resistant building method that insurers typically view favourably. Double brick walls can help reduce premiums compared to lightweight or timber-frame construction, as they're more resilient to structural damage.
Colorbond Steel Roof
A steel Colorbond roof is a popular choice across Perth and is generally regarded as low-maintenance and weather-resistant. Insurers tend to rate metal roofing positively, particularly in areas without significant hail risk.
Slab Foundation
A concrete slab foundation is standard for homes of this era in WA and is considered structurally sound. It doesn't carry the subsidence concerns associated with some older foundation types, which keeps risk — and premiums — in check.
Swimming Pool
A pool adds both value and liability to a property. Insurers factor in the cost to repair or replace the pool structure, as well as any associated liability risk. This will contribute to a higher premium compared to an equivalent property without a pool.
Solar Panels
With 235 sqm of roof space, this home has room for a solid solar array. Solar panels are an increasingly common feature on Perth homes, but they do add to the insured replacement value of the building. If the system is a newer, high-capacity installation, it's worth confirming with your insurer that the sum insured adequately covers the replacement cost.
Ducted Climate Control
Ducted air conditioning systems are expensive to repair or replace, and their inclusion in the building sum insured is appropriate. This is another feature that justifies a higher sum insured and, consequently, a higher premium.
Above-Average Fittings Quality
The property's fittings are rated above average, meaning higher-spec fixtures, finishes, and appliances. This increases the cost to rebuild or repair to the same standard, which flows through to the premium.
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Tips for Homeowners in Hillarys
If you're looking to make sure you're getting the best value on your home insurance, here are some practical steps worth taking:
- Review your sum insured annually. Building costs in Perth have risen significantly in recent years. Make sure your $1,041,000 building sum insured still reflects the actual cost to rebuild your home — not just its market value. Underinsurance is a common and costly mistake.
- Shop around at renewal time. Insurers rarely reward loyalty with their best pricing. Getting at least two or three competing quotes before your renewal date is one of the simplest ways to avoid overpaying. Platforms like CoverClub make it easy to compare options side by side.
- Check what's included for your pool and solar. Not all policies treat pools and solar panels the same way. Some insurers include them automatically in the building sum insured; others require separate endorsements. Make sure you're not left with a gap in cover.
- Consider your excess level. Both the building and contents excess on this policy are set at $1,000. Opting for a higher excess (say, $2,000 or $2,500) can meaningfully reduce your annual premium — a worthwhile trade-off if you're unlikely to make small claims.
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Ready to Compare?
Whether you're reviewing your existing policy or shopping for cover on a new purchase, comparing quotes is the smartest move you can make. CoverClub helps Australian homeowners cut through the noise and find competitive home insurance in minutes. Get a quote today and see how much you could save on your Hillarys home.