If you own a free standing home in Mornington, TAS 7018, you're likely aware that finding the right building insurance at a competitive price takes a bit of homework. Mornington is a well-established residential suburb on the eastern shore of Hobart, popular for its quiet streets, proximity to the Derwent River, and a solid mix of older and mid-century homes. This article breaks down a real building-only insurance quote for a 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom home in the area — and helps you understand whether it represents genuine value.
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Is This Quote Fair?
The quote in question comes in at $2,071 per year (or roughly $192 per month) for building-only cover on a free standing home with a sum insured of $395,000 and a standard $1,000 excess.
Our price rating for this quote is CHEAP — Below Average, which is a positive outcome for the homeowner. To put that in perspective:
- The Tasmanian state average for home building insurance sits at $2,814/yr, with a median of $2,326/yr
- The national average is a considerably higher $5,347/yr, with a national median of $2,764/yr
- The Clarence LGA average (the local government area covering Mornington) is $2,049/yr
At $2,071/yr, this quote sits just slightly above the Clarence LGA average, well below the Tasmanian state average, and dramatically below the national average. For a homeowner in Mornington, this is a genuinely competitive result. You can explore broader Tasmanian premium trends at the CoverClub TAS insurance stats page, or compare against the full national picture on the national stats page.
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How Mornington Compares
Understanding where your premium sits relative to your neighbours and the broader market is one of the most useful things you can do as a homeowner.
| Benchmark | Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| This Quote | $2,071 |
| Clarence LGA Average | $2,049 |
| TAS State Average | $2,814 |
| TAS State Median | $2,326 |
| National Average | $5,347 |
| National Median | $2,764 |
The gap between Tasmanian premiums and national averages is striking. Much of the national average is inflated by high-risk regions in Queensland and Western Australia, where cyclone, flood, and bushfire exposure push premiums significantly higher. Tasmania, by contrast, benefits from a comparatively lower natural disaster risk profile — no cyclone zones, moderate bushfire risk in most suburban areas, and a generally temperate climate.
Mornington specifically sits within the Clarence LGA, which historically records some of the more affordable premiums in greater Hobart. The suburb's established infrastructure, proximity to emergency services, and predominantly residential character all contribute to a relatively benign risk environment from an insurer's perspective.
For suburb-level data and trends specific to postcode 7018, visit the Mornington insurance stats page on CoverClub.
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Property Features That Affect Your Premium
Every home is unique, and insurers price risk based on a detailed set of property characteristics. Here's how the features of this particular home likely influence the premium:
Brick Veneer Walls Brick veneer is generally viewed favourably by insurers. It offers solid fire resistance and durability, without the full rebuild cost associated with double-brick construction. It's one of the most common wall types in Australian suburban homes built from the 1960s onwards.
Steel / Colorbond Roof A Colorbond steel roof is considered a low-maintenance, durable roofing option. It performs well in wind events and resists rust and corrosion over time. Insurers typically rate metal roofing more favourably than older materials like fibrous cement sheeting or ageing tiles prone to cracking.
Stump Foundation This is worth noting. Homes built on stumps (also called timber or concrete stumps) are common in older Tasmanian properties, particularly those constructed in the post-war era like this 1971 build. Stumped foundations can be a mild risk flag for some insurers, as they may be associated with subsidence, pest exposure, or moisture ingress if not well-maintained. Keeping stumps in good condition and ensuring adequate subfloor ventilation is important for both safety and insurability.
Timber / Laminate Flooring Timber and laminate floors are a standard feature in many Australian homes. While they add aesthetic value, they can be more susceptible to water damage than tiles. This is generally reflected in contents insurance rather than building cover, but it's worth being aware of.
Construction Year: 1971 Homes built in the early 1970s are now over 50 years old. While many remain structurally sound, ageing electrical systems, plumbing, and roofing components can increase the likelihood of claims. Insurers may factor this into pricing, though a well-maintained older home often fares better than its age alone might suggest.
Ducted Climate Control The presence of ducted heating or cooling is a minor consideration — it adds to the replacement value of the building and can occasionally be a source of claims (e.g., duct failure or water leaks from systems). It's already factored into the sum insured figure of $395,000.
No Pool, No Solar Panels The absence of a swimming pool and solar panels simplifies the risk profile slightly. Pools introduce liability considerations, and solar panels — while increasingly common — add to replacement costs and can occasionally cause roofing issues. Neither applies here.
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Tips for Homeowners in Mornington
1. Review Your Sum Insured Annually Building costs in Tasmania have risen steadily in recent years. A sum insured of $395,000 for a 130 sqm home may be appropriate now, but it's worth revisiting each year at renewal. Underinsurance is one of the most common — and costly — mistakes homeowners make.
2. Maintain Your Stumped Foundation If your home sits on timber or concrete stumps, schedule a periodic inspection. Rotting or shifting stumps can lead to structural issues that may complicate claims. Some insurers exclude damage caused by gradual deterioration, so proactive maintenance pays off.
3. Compare Quotes at Renewal — Every Year Even if your current premium is below average (as this one is), the insurance market shifts constantly. New insurers enter the market, risk models change, and your own property details may warrant a re-assessment. Use a comparison tool like CoverClub to benchmark your renewal quote before you simply auto-renew.
4. Consider Whether Building-Only Cover Is Sufficient This quote covers the building structure only. If you have valuable contents — furniture, appliances, personal belongings — a combined building and contents policy may offer better overall value. It's worth running the numbers to see whether adding contents cover makes financial sense for your situation.
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Get a Better Deal on Home Insurance
Whether this quote is the right one for you depends on your full circumstances, but the data suggests it's a competitive result for Mornington. That said, there's always value in comparing — even a well-priced quote can sometimes be beaten.
Compare home insurance quotes for your property at CoverClub and see how your premium stacks up against other options in your area. It takes just a few minutes and could save you hundreds of dollars a year.