Kirwan is one of Townsville's most established and family-friendly suburbs, sitting in the City of Townsville local government area in North Queensland. Known for its quiet streets, good schools, and well-maintained homes, it's a popular choice for families looking for space and comfort. If you own a free standing home here, understanding what you should be paying for home and contents insurance — and why — can save you hundreds of dollars a year.
This article breaks down a real insurance quote for a four-bedroom, two-bathroom brick veneer home in Kirwan (postcode 4817), built in 2005, and compares it against suburb, state, and national benchmarks to help you make a more informed decision.
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Is This Quote Fair?
The quote in question comes in at $2,542 per year (or roughly $254/month) for combined home and contents cover, with a building sum insured of $500,000 and contents valued at $10,000. The building excess is set at $3,000, and the contents excess at $1,000.
Our rating for this quote is CHEAP — below average for the Kirwan area. That's genuinely good news for the homeowner. Based on a sample of 81 quotes collected for this suburb, the average annual premium in Kirwan sits at $4,282, and the median is $3,685. This quote lands well below even the 25th percentile of $2,927 — meaning it's cheaper than at least 75% of comparable quotes in the area.
In practical terms, this homeowner is potentially saving over $1,700 per year compared to the suburb average. Over five years, that's more than $8,500 — a significant sum that could go toward renovations, an emergency fund, or simply reducing household expenses.
It's worth noting that the higher building excess of $3,000 does contribute to a lower premium. Choosing a higher excess is a common and legitimate way to reduce your upfront costs, but it does mean you'll need to cover more out of pocket if you ever need to make a claim. Make sure that trade-off works for your financial situation before locking it in.
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How Kirwan Compares
To put this quote in proper context, here's how Kirwan stacks up against broader benchmarks:
| Benchmark | Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| This Quote | $2,542 |
| Kirwan (4817) Average | $4,282 |
| Kirwan (4817) Median | $3,685 |
| Kirwan 25th Percentile | $2,927 |
| Kirwan 75th Percentile | $4,854 |
| LGA (Charters Towers) Average | $3,995 |
| QLD State Average | $4,547 |
| QLD State Median | $3,931 |
| National Average | $2,965 |
| National Median | $2,716 |
You can explore live suburb-level data on the Kirwan insurance stats page, compare it to the broader Queensland insurance landscape, or see how it measures up against national averages.
One of the more striking takeaways from this data is just how much more expensive Queensland is compared to the national average. The QLD state average of $4,547 is 53% higher than the national average of $2,965 — a gap driven largely by the elevated risk of extreme weather events across the state, including cyclones, flooding, and severe storms. Kirwan itself is not classified as a cyclone risk area, which helps explain why this particular quote comes in more competitively than many other parts of Queensland.
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Property Features That Affect Your Premium
Several characteristics of this property work in the homeowner's favour from an insurance pricing perspective:
Brick Veneer Construction Brick veneer walls are generally viewed favourably by insurers. They offer solid fire resistance and structural durability compared to timber or lightweight cladding, which can translate to lower rebuild risk and, in turn, lower premiums.
Tiled Roof Concrete or terracotta tiles are a durable roofing material and are considered relatively low-risk by most insurers. They hold up well under normal weather conditions and are less susceptible to fire than some alternatives.
Slab Foundation A concrete slab foundation is a standard, stable base for homes built in Queensland. It doesn't carry the same inspection concerns as older pier-and-beam or timber stump foundations, and it's generally straightforward for insurers to assess.
Elevated by Less Than 1 Metre The home is slightly elevated, which can offer some minor protection against surface water ingress. However, at less than one metre, it doesn't carry the same flood-risk reduction benefits as a fully raised Queenslander. Still, it's a neutral-to-positive factor in the insurer's assessment.
Built in 2005 A home constructed in 2005 benefits from relatively modern building codes, which in Queensland include improved cyclone and structural standards introduced in the late 1990s and early 2000s. This can make the property more resilient — and more insurable — than older homes.
No Pool, No Solar Panels Both pools and solar panel systems can add complexity (and cost) to a home insurance policy. The absence of these features keeps the risk profile simpler and the premium lower.
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Tips for Homeowners in Kirwan
1. Don't over-insure your contents A contents value of $10,000 is on the lower end, which is fine if it accurately reflects what you own. However, many homeowners either significantly under-insure or over-insure their contents. Take the time to do a proper home inventory — include electronics, furniture, appliances, clothing, and valuables — to make sure your coverage is right. Under-insuring can leave you out of pocket after a claim; over-insuring means you're paying for coverage you don't need.
2. Review your excess settings annually A $3,000 building excess is relatively high and is one reason this premium is so competitive. If your financial situation changes and you'd prefer a lower out-of-pocket cost at claim time, it's worth re-running quotes with a lower excess to see what the premium difference looks like. The sweet spot varies by insurer and property.
3. Keep your home well-maintained Insurers in Queensland pay close attention to property condition, particularly roofs and gutters. Given the region's storm season (typically November to April), ensuring your roof tiles are intact, gutters are clear, and any overhanging trees are trimmed can reduce your risk of a weather-related claim — and may help keep your renewal premium stable over time.
4. Compare at renewal — every year The insurance market in Queensland is dynamic. Premiums can shift significantly between renewal periods due to changes in insurer risk models, reinsurance costs, and local weather events. Even if you're happy with your current insurer, it's worth comparing quotes annually. A few minutes on CoverClub could reveal meaningful savings — as this quote demonstrates, the gap between the cheapest and most expensive options in Kirwan can exceed $2,000 per year.
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Ready to Compare Your Home Insurance?
Whether you're a first-time buyer or a long-term Kirwan resident, making sure you're not overpaying for home insurance is one of the simplest ways to reduce your household costs. CoverClub makes it easy to compare quotes from multiple insurers in minutes — tailored to your specific property and cover needs.
Get a home insurance quote today and see how your current premium stacks up.