Kirwan is one of Townsville's most established residential suburbs, and like much of North Queensland, it comes with its own unique set of insurance considerations. This article breaks down a real home and contents insurance quote for a four-bedroom, free-standing home in Kirwan (postcode 4817) — examining whether the price is fair, how it compares to broader benchmarks, and what property features are likely driving the cost.
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Is This Quote Fair?
The quote in question sits at $3,138 per year (or $314/month) for combined home and contents cover, with a building sum insured of $459,000 and contents valued at $70,000. The building excess is $3,000 and the contents excess is $600.
Our price rating for this quote is FAIR — Around Average, and the data backs that up.
When compared to other quotes in the Kirwan area, this premium sits comfortably between the suburb's 25th percentile ($2,927/yr) and the median ($3,685/yr). That means roughly half of comparable properties in the suburb are paying more, and a quarter are paying less. It's not the cheapest quote on the market, but it's far from the most expensive either — the 75th percentile for Kirwan reaches $4,854/yr, which is significantly higher.
In short: this homeowner is getting a reasonable deal relative to their local market.
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How Kirwan Compares
To put this quote in proper context, it helps to look at the numbers across three levels — suburb, state, and national.
| Benchmark | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Kirwan (4817) | $4,282/yr | $3,685/yr |
| Queensland | $4,547/yr | $3,931/yr |
| Australia (National) | $2,965/yr | $2,716/yr |
(Based on 81 quotes sampled in the Kirwan suburb area)
A few things stand out here. First, the Queensland state average of $4,547/yr is notably higher than the national average of $2,965/yr — a gap of over $1,500. This reflects the elevated risk profile of North Queensland, where cyclone exposure, storm surge, and flooding are genuine concerns for insurers.
Second, the quote of $3,138/yr comes in well below both the Kirwan suburb average and the Queensland state average, saving this homeowner roughly $1,144/yr compared to what others in the suburb are typically paying. The Local Government Area (Charters Towers LGA) average of $3,995/yr further reinforces that this quote is on the more competitive end of the regional spectrum.
It's worth noting that while this premium is above the national median, that comparison has limited relevance for North Queensland homeowners — the risk environment here is genuinely different to, say, Melbourne or Adelaide, and premiums reflect that reality.
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Property Features That Affect Your Premium
Several characteristics of this property will have influenced how insurers assessed and priced the risk.
Cyclone Risk Area
This is arguably the single biggest factor. Kirwan falls within a designated cyclone risk zone, which substantially increases the cost of building insurance across North Queensland. Insurers price in the potential for wind damage, storm surge, and associated water ingress. Homeowners in this region will almost always pay more than the national average as a result.
Double Brick Construction
The external walls are double brick — a construction type that is generally viewed favourably by insurers due to its resilience and structural integrity. Compared to timber-framed or clad homes, double brick tends to perform well in storm conditions, which can help moderate premiums.
Steel/Colorbond Roof
A Colorbond steel roof is a practical and common choice in Queensland. It's durable, low-maintenance, and performs well in high-wind events when properly installed. Insurers generally consider this a neutral-to-positive factor, particularly in cyclone-prone regions.
Concrete Slab Foundation
A slab foundation is standard for homes built in this era and climate zone. It provides good stability and reduces the risk of subsidence-related claims, which is a positive from an underwriting perspective.
Swimming Pool
The presence of a pool adds to the property's replacement value and introduces some additional liability considerations. Pool fencing compliance and associated infrastructure will be factored into the building sum insured.
Solar Panels
Solar panels add value to the property and must be covered under the building policy. Depending on the insurer and policy wording, panels may be covered as a fixed fixture — but it's worth confirming this is explicitly included, particularly for storm and hail damage.
Tile Flooring
Tiles throughout the home are a practical choice in Queensland's climate and are generally cost-effective to repair or replace compared to timber or carpet, which may marginally reduce contents and building claim risk.
Building Sum Insured: $459,000
It's important that this figure reflects the full rebuild cost of the home — not the market value. Given the property's size (four bedrooms, two bathrooms) and double brick construction, $459,000 is a reasonable estimate for a 2007-built home in this region, but homeowners should review this figure regularly as construction costs continue to rise.
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Tips for Homeowners in Kirwan
1. Review your cyclone excess carefully Many policies in North Queensland include a separate cyclone or storm excess on top of the standard building excess. This quote shows a $3,000 building excess — confirm with your insurer whether a higher cyclone-specific excess applies, as this can significantly affect your out-of-pocket costs after a major weather event.
2. Keep your building sum insured up to date Construction costs have risen sharply in recent years. If your sum insured hasn't been reviewed since you took out the policy, you may be underinsured. Use a building cost calculator or speak with a quantity surveyor to validate your coverage amount annually.
3. Check your solar panel coverage Confirm that your solar panels are explicitly listed as a covered item under your building policy. Some policies include them automatically as a fixed fixture; others require you to specify them. Given the cost of a typical solar system, this is worth clarifying in writing with your insurer.
4. Compare quotes at renewal time The gap between the cheapest and most expensive quotes in Kirwan is substantial — the difference between the 25th and 75th percentile is nearly $2,000/yr. Shopping around at renewal can make a meaningful difference to your annual costs without necessarily reducing your level of cover.
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Ready to Compare?
Whether you're renewing your existing policy or insuring a new property, comparing quotes is the most effective way to make sure you're not overpaying. Get a home insurance quote through CoverClub and see how your premium stacks up against others in your area. You can also explore detailed pricing data for Kirwan and postcode 4817 or browse Queensland-wide insurance statistics to better understand what's driving costs in your region.