Montrose is a quiet, established suburb nestled in the City of Glenorchy on Hobart's north-western fringe. Known for its leafy streets and mix of post-war and mid-century homes, it's the kind of suburb where brick veneer bungalows on stumps are a familiar sight. If you own a free standing home here — or you're thinking of buying one — understanding what you should be paying for home and contents insurance is a smart first step.
This article breaks down a real insurance quote for a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom free standing home in Montrose, comparing it against suburb, state, and national benchmarks so you can make a genuinely informed decision.
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Is This Quote Fair?
The quote in question comes in at $1,284 per year (or $129/month) for combined home and contents cover, with a building sum insured of $680,000 and contents valued at $440,000. The building excess sits at $3,000, while the contents excess is a more modest $500.
Our price rating for this quote is FAIR — Around Average, and the data backs that up.
Within Montrose itself, the suburb average premium is $1,504/yr, meaning this quote sits $220 below the local average — a meaningful saving. Compared to the suburb median of $1,849/yr, the difference is even more pronounced, with this quote coming in roughly $565 cheaper.
It's worth noting the suburb sample size is small (5 quotes), so these figures should be interpreted as directional rather than definitive. That said, landing below both the average and median for the area is a positive sign.
At the state level, the picture looks even more favourable. The average home and contents premium across Tasmania is $2,458/yr, and the median sits at $2,272/yr. This quote is well under both — representing a 47–48% saving compared to the typical Tasmanian policyholder.
Nationally, the contrast is stark. The average Australian home insurance premium is $2,965/yr, with a median of $2,716/yr. At $1,284/yr, this Montrose quote is less than half the national average — a strong result by any measure.
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How Montrose Compares
To put the numbers in perspective, here's a quick snapshot of where Montrose sits in the broader insurance landscape:
| Benchmark | Premium |
|---|---|
| This Quote | $1,284/yr |
| Montrose (suburb avg) | $1,504/yr |
| Montrose (suburb median) | $1,849/yr |
| Glenorchy LGA average | $1,619/yr |
| Tasmania average | $2,458/yr |
| Tasmania median | $2,272/yr |
| National average | $2,965/yr |
| National median | $2,716/yr |
You can explore more localised data on the Montrose suburb insurance stats page, the Tasmania state overview, or the national insurance benchmarks.
Tasmania consistently comes in well below the national average for home insurance, largely because the state doesn't face the same cyclone, flood, or bushfire risk profiles that drive premiums higher in Queensland, northern WA, or parts of NSW. Montrose, situated in an urban pocket of Greater Hobart, benefits further from its relatively low-risk geography.
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Property Features That Affect Your Premium
Several characteristics of this particular property influence where its premium lands — and why it compares so favourably.
Brick Veneer Walls & Tiled Roof Brick veneer construction is generally viewed positively by insurers. It offers solid fire resistance and structural durability compared to timber weatherboard homes. Combined with a tiled roof — another material insurers tend to favour for its longevity — this property presents a relatively low-risk profile from a construction standpoint.
Built in 1971 Homes from this era can attract slightly more scrutiny from insurers, as ageing electrical wiring, plumbing, and roofing may carry higher replacement or repair costs. However, the building sum insured of $680,000 appears to account for modern rebuild costs, which is exactly the right approach.
Elevated on Stumps The property is elevated by at least one metre on stumps — a common foundation style for older Tasmanian homes. Elevation can actually work in a homeowner's favour when it comes to flood or storm water ingress risk, as water is less likely to enter the living areas. This may contribute to the competitive premium.
Solar Panels Solar panels are listed as a feature of this property. It's worth confirming with your insurer whether the panels are covered under the building policy and to what value. Some policies include them automatically; others treat them as an optional add-on or exclude them from the default sum insured.
Standard Fittings & Carpet Flooring Standard fittings and carpet flooring keep replacement costs predictable and moderate. Premium fittings — stone benchtops, hardwood floors, designer fixtures — can significantly increase rebuild costs and, in turn, premiums. This property's specification works in its favour.
No Pool, No Cyclone Risk Zone The absence of a pool removes a common liability exposure, and Montrose is not classified as a cyclone risk area, which keeps the premium lower than it might be in northern parts of Australia.
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Tips for Homeowners in Montrose
1. Review your building sum insured regularly Construction costs have risen sharply in recent years. A sum insured of $680,000 for a 143 sqm home in Montrose looks reasonable, but it's worth revisiting this figure annually — or after any renovations — to ensure you're not underinsured. Use a quantity surveyor or your insurer's calculator as a guide.
2. Clarify solar panel coverage If your solar system isn't explicitly listed in your policy schedule, ask your insurer directly. Panels can cost $8,000–$20,000+ to replace, and assuming they're covered when they're not is a costly mistake.
3. Consider your excess trade-off This quote carries a $3,000 building excess — on the higher side. A higher excess typically lowers your premium, but it also means more out-of-pocket cost at claim time. Think about whether you'd comfortably cover that amount in an emergency, and compare quotes with different excess levels to find your sweet spot.
4. Don't set and forget Insurance is one of those things that's easy to renew automatically without checking whether you're still getting a competitive deal. Premiums can shift significantly from year to year — both for your existing policy and across the market. Set a reminder to compare quotes at least 30 days before renewal.
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Ready to Compare?
Whether you're happy with your current cover or wondering if you could do better, CoverClub makes it easy to see what's available for your property. Get a home insurance quote today and find out how your premium stacks up against the market — in Montrose and beyond.