Hillarys is one of Perth's most sought-after coastal suburbs, sitting along the northern shoreline of the Indian Ocean in the City of Joondalup. With its marina, beach access, and well-established streetscapes, it's no surprise that property values here are strong — and that home insurance is a serious consideration for owners. This article breaks down a recent home and contents insurance quote for a large, free standing home in Hillarys (WA 6025), assessing whether the premium is competitive and what factors are likely driving the cost.
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Is This Quote Fair?
The quote in question sits at $2,087 per year (or around $204/month) for a combined home and contents policy. The building is insured for $1,472,000 with a $2,000 building excess, while contents are covered for $146,000 with a $600 contents excess.
Based on CoverClub's pricing data, this quote has been rated Fair — Around Average. That's a reasonable outcome for a property of this size and specification. A seven-bedroom, four-bathroom home built in 1985 with a sum insured approaching $1.5 million is a substantial risk for any insurer, so landing close to the local average is a solid result.
It's worth noting that "fair" doesn't necessarily mean you can't do better — it simply means the quote is in the expected range for this type of property in this location. Whether it's the right policy ultimately depends on the cover inclusions, not just the price.
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How Hillarys Compares
To put this quote in proper context, here's how it stacks up against broader market data:
| Benchmark | Premium |
|---|---|
| This quote | $2,087/yr |
| Hillarys suburb average | $2,587/yr |
| Hillarys suburb median | $2,778/yr |
| Hillarys 25th percentile | $1,769/yr |
| Hillarys 75th percentile | $3,366/yr |
| LGA (Joondalup) average | $2,112/yr |
| WA state average | $2,144/yr |
| WA state median | $1,944/yr |
| National average | $2,965/yr |
| National median | $2,716/yr |
(Based on 64 quotes collected for the Hillarys suburb. [View full suburb stats](https://coverclub.com.au/stats/WA/6025/hillarys) | [WA state data](https://coverclub.com.au/stats/WA) | [National benchmarks](https://coverclub.com.au/stats/national))
A few things stand out here. At $2,087, this quote sits $500 below the Hillarys suburb average and nearly $700 below the suburb median — both meaningful savings for a large property. It also comes in just under the WA state average of $2,144, and well below the national average of $2,965.
Compared to the suburb's 25th percentile ($1,769), there may be room to push the premium lower with a different insurer or by adjusting policy parameters — but the gap isn't enormous. On the other end, the 75th percentile sits at $3,366, meaning a quarter of Hillarys homeowners are paying significantly more than this quote. That's a useful reminder that shopping around genuinely matters.
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Property Features That Affect Your Premium
Several characteristics of this property are likely influencing the premium — some favourably, others less so.
Double Brick Construction
Double brick is one of the most insurer-friendly wall types in Australia, particularly in Western Australia where it's the dominant building method. It offers excellent resistance to fire, wind, and general structural damage, which typically results in lower premiums compared to weatherboard or clad construction.
Tiled Roof
Terracotta or concrete tiles are considered a mid-range risk by insurers — more durable than Colorbond in some respects, but heavier and more prone to cracking under impact. Overall, a tiled roof on a double brick home is a well-regarded combination.
Slab Foundation & Timber/Laminate Flooring
A concrete slab foundation is generally low-risk from an insurance perspective. The timber and laminate flooring, however, can be a cost driver — these materials are more expensive to repair or replace after water damage or fire compared to ceramic tiles.
Age of Construction (1985)
At roughly 40 years old, this home predates some modern building codes but is generally within the acceptable range for standard home insurance. Insurers may factor in the age of plumbing, electrical systems, and roofing materials when pricing the risk.
Solar Panels
The presence of solar panels adds a modest amount to the insured value and can slightly increase premiums, as panels represent an additional asset that needs to be covered for damage from storms, hail, or fire. It's worth confirming with your insurer that solar panels are explicitly included in the building sum insured.
Granny Flat
A granny flat on the property adds both value and complexity. Most standard policies will cover a secondary dwelling on the same title, but it's essential to confirm this — and to ensure the building sum insured adequately reflects the replacement cost of both structures combined.
Large Building Size (214 sqm) and High Sum Insured
At 214 sqm with seven bedrooms and four bathrooms, this is a sizeable home. The $1,472,000 sum insured reflects the cost to fully rebuild — not the market value — and is the single largest driver of the premium. Getting this figure right is critical: underinsurance is one of the most common and costly mistakes homeowners make.
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Tips for Homeowners in Hillarys
1. Review Your Sum Insured Annually
Building costs in Perth have risen sharply in recent years. The cost to rebuild a large double brick home can increase significantly year-on-year due to labour and materials inflation. Review your sum insured each renewal to avoid being underinsured — many insurers offer a calculator to help.
2. Confirm Granny Flat and Solar Panel Coverage
Before renewing or switching policies, specifically ask your insurer whether the granny flat and solar panel system are covered under the building section. Some policies treat secondary structures or renewable energy systems differently, and exclusions can catch homeowners off guard at claim time.
3. Consider Raising Your Building Excess Strategically
The $2,000 building excess on this policy is already moderate. In a suburb like Hillarys — which is not in a designated cyclone risk zone — the likelihood of catastrophic weather events is lower than in northern WA. If you have a solid emergency fund, opting for a higher excess can reduce your annual premium meaningfully.
4. Compare Quotes at Every Renewal
Even a "fair" quote can be beaten. With 64 quotes on record for Hillarys alone, CoverClub's data shows a wide spread between the cheapest and most expensive policies in the suburb. Spending 10 minutes comparing at renewal could save hundreds of dollars — without sacrificing cover.
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Ready to Compare?
Whether you're renewing your current policy or insuring a new purchase in Hillarys, comparing quotes is the smartest first step. CoverClub makes it easy to see how your premium stacks up against your neighbours and find a policy that suits your property and budget. Get a home insurance quote today and see what the market has to offer.