Hillarys is one of Perth's most sought-after coastal suburbs — a leafy, well-established pocket of the City of Joondalup that consistently attracts families and professionals alike. With property values reflecting its desirability, making sure your free standing home is properly insured is not just a formality; it's a genuine financial necessity. In this article, we analyse a real home and contents insurance quote for a three-bedroom, three-bathroom free standing home in Hillarys (WA 6025) and break down exactly what's driving the cost.
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Is This Quote Fair?
The quote in question comes in at $2,909 per year (or $279 per month) for combined home and contents cover, with a building sum insured of $1,400,000 and contents valued at $108,000. Both the building and contents excess are set at $500.
Our price rating for this quote is Expensive — above average for the suburb.
To put that in context, the suburb average premium in Hillarys sits at $2,238 per year, and the median is $2,190 per year, based on 76 quotes in our dataset. This quote lands above the 75th percentile threshold of $2,788 — meaning it's pricier than at least three-quarters of comparable quotes in the area.
That said, "expensive" doesn't automatically mean "wrong." A few factors justify a higher-than-average premium here:
- The building sum insured of $1,400,000 is substantial and likely reflects the above-average fittings quality and the 235 sqm floor area — both of which push rebuild costs up.
- Three bathrooms in a three-bedroom home is a strong indicator of a premium fitout, and insurers price accordingly.
- The contents cover of $108,000 is meaningful and adds to the overall premium.
If you stripped the sum insured back or had a more modest home, you'd almost certainly fall closer to the suburb median. The question worth asking is: does the cover match what it would actually cost to rebuild and replace your belongings? If the answer is yes, the premium may well be justified.
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How Hillarys Compares
Understanding where Hillarys sits relative to broader benchmarks helps put any individual quote into perspective. Here's a snapshot from CoverClub's Hillarys suburb stats:
| Benchmark | Average Premium | Median Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Hillarys (6025) | $2,238/yr | $2,190/yr |
| LGA – City of Joondalup | $2,112/yr | — |
| Western Australia | $2,811/yr | $2,127/yr |
| National | $5,347/yr | $2,764/yr |
A few things stand out from these figures. First, the WA state average of $2,811 per year is actually higher than the Hillarys suburb average — suggesting that while Hillarys has premium real estate, it doesn't carry the elevated risk profile of some other WA regions (think cyclone-prone areas in the north of the state). The City of Joondalup LGA average of $2,112 per year is even lower, indicating that Hillarys may skew slightly higher within its own local government area, likely due to larger and higher-value homes.
When you zoom out to the national picture, the average premium of $5,347 per year is dramatically higher — a figure heavily influenced by high-risk regions in Queensland and Northern Australia where cyclone, flood, and storm surge exposure drives costs through the roof. By comparison, Hillarys homeowners are in a relatively favourable position.
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Property Features That Affect Your Premium
Not all homes are priced the same, and insurers weigh up a range of property characteristics when calculating your premium. Here's how the features of this particular home come into play:
Double Brick Construction Double brick is the gold standard for Perth homes and is widely regarded by insurers as one of the most resilient wall types. It offers excellent resistance to fire, wind, and impact — all of which can translate to a more favourable risk profile. That said, double brick homes can be more expensive to rebuild per square metre, which is reflected in a higher sum insured.
Steel/Colorbond Roof Colorbond roofing is durable, low-maintenance, and performs well in Perth's hot, dry summers. Insurers generally view it positively compared to older terracotta or concrete tiles that may crack or degrade over time.
Slab Foundation A concrete slab foundation is standard for homes built in Perth's sandy coastal soils and is generally considered stable and low-risk from an insurance perspective.
Solar Panels This home has solar panels installed, which are typically covered under building insurance as a fixed structure. However, it's worth confirming with your insurer that your sum insured accounts for the replacement cost of the system — solar panel prices have shifted considerably in recent years.
Ducted Climate Control Ducted air conditioning is a significant fixed asset and is generally included in building cover. Again, ensure your sum insured reflects the cost of replacing the entire system if needed.
Above-Average Fittings Quality This is a meaningful rating. Above-average fittings — think stone benchtops, quality appliances, premium bathroom fixtures — cost significantly more to replace than standard fittings. Insurers factor this in, and it's one reason the building sum insured of $1,400,000 is appropriate rather than excessive for a 235 sqm home.
No Pool, No Cyclone Risk The absence of a pool removes a common liability risk, while Hillarys' location outside designated cyclone risk zones keeps premiums lower than they'd be in northern WA.
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Tips for Homeowners in Hillarys
1. Validate Your Sum Insured Regularly Construction costs in Perth have risen sharply over the past few years. A sum insured that was accurate in 2022 may now be inadequate. Use a building cost calculator or speak to a quantity surveyor to make sure $1,400,000 still reflects what it would genuinely cost to rebuild your home from scratch — including demolition, professional fees, and fitout.
2. Review Your Contents Cover Annually $108,000 in contents cover sounds like a lot, but when you itemise furniture, electronics, appliances, clothing, artwork, and jewellery, it can disappear quickly. Do a room-by-room audit each year and adjust your cover accordingly. Don't forget to check whether high-value items like jewellery or cameras need to be separately listed.
3. Ask About Discounts for Security and Safety Features Homes with monitored alarm systems, deadbolts, and quality locks often qualify for premium discounts. If you've recently upgraded your home security, let your insurer know — it could make a difference to your renewal price.
4. Compare Before You Renew Loyalty doesn't always pay in the insurance market. Premiums can vary significantly between providers for the same level of cover. Even if you're happy with your current insurer, it's worth running a comparison at renewal time to make sure you're not overpaying.
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Find a Better Deal with CoverClub
Whether you think your current premium is too high or you're shopping for cover for the first time, CoverClub makes it easy to compare home and contents insurance quotes across multiple providers — all in one place. Get a quote today and see how much you could save on cover for your Hillarys home.