Preston Beach is a quiet coastal community on Western Australia's Peel Coast, roughly 120 kilometres south of Perth. Known for its pristine beach access and relaxed lifestyle, it attracts both holiday-makers and permanent residents — many of whom own townhouses and strata-titled properties. If you own a two-bedroom townhouse here, understanding what you should be paying for home and contents insurance is an important part of protecting your investment.
This article breaks down a real insurance quote for a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom townhouse in Preston Beach (postcode 6215), built in 2005 with a Colorbond steel roof, timber/laminate flooring, above-average fittings, and ducted climate control. The quote covers both building ($390,000 sum insured) and contents ($50,000), with a $1,000 excess on each. The annual premium came in at $2,650 (or $254/month).
---
Is This Quote Fair?
Based on our pricing analysis, this quote has been rated Expensive (Above Average) for the Preston Beach area.
To put that in context: the suburb average premium for Preston Beach sits at just $1,489 per year, with a median of $879. That means this quote is nearly 78% above the suburb average and more than three times the suburb median. Even at the 75th percentile — meaning only 25% of quotes in the area are higher — the benchmark is $2,159, still noticeably below the $2,650 being quoted here.
That said, it's worth noting this is a combined Home and Contents policy. Many lower quotes in the suburb may cover building only, which naturally brings the average down. The contents cover ($50,000) and the above-average fittings quality will both push the premium upward compared to a stripped-back policy.
Still, if you're paying this much, it's worth shopping around. There may be room to reduce your premium without sacrificing meaningful cover.
---
How Preston Beach Compares
Understanding where Preston Beach sits in the broader insurance landscape helps put this quote in perspective.
| Benchmark | Average Premium | Median Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Preston Beach (suburb) | $1,489/yr | $879/yr |
| Western Australia (state) | $2,811/yr | $2,127/yr |
| Australia (national) | $5,347/yr | $2,764/yr |
| Murray LGA | $9,884/yr | — |
A few things stand out here. First, Preston Beach is actually well below the WA state average — suggesting it's a relatively affordable area to insure compared to much of the state. The WA state average of $2,811 reflects the higher-risk coastal and cyclone-prone areas that drive up premiums across the state.
Compared to the national average of $5,347, Preston Beach looks very reasonable indeed. Nationally, premiums have been climbing sharply due to increased weather events, rising rebuild costs, and reinsurance pressures — so a sub-$3,000 quote in a coastal suburb is not alarming in that context.
The Murray LGA average of $9,884 is notably high, though this likely reflects a wide mix of property types across the local government area — including rural and flood-prone properties — rather than being representative of Preston Beach townhouses specifically.
The quoted premium of $2,650 sits above the suburb average but below the WA state average, which is a nuanced position. It's not wildly out of step with the state, but there's clearly room to do better at the local level.
---
Property Features That Affect Your Premium
Several characteristics of this property will be influencing the quoted premium, for better or worse.
Colorbond Steel Roof Colorbond roofs are generally viewed favourably by insurers. They're durable, fire-resistant, and less prone to storm damage than older tile roofs. This should be working in your favour on the premium.
Stump Foundation The property sits on stumps, which is common in older coastal and regional WA homes. While stumps allow for ventilation and can handle some ground movement, insurers may view them as slightly higher risk than slab foundations — particularly in areas with sandy or reactive soils near the coast.
Timber and Laminate Flooring Timber flooring adds replacement value and can be more costly to repair after water damage events compared to tiles. This may contribute modestly to a higher premium.
Above-Average Fittings Quality This is likely one of the bigger premium drivers. Above-average fittings — think stone benchtops, quality cabinetry, premium appliances — significantly increase the cost to rebuild or repair. Insurers price this in, so it's important the sum insured accurately reflects what it would cost to replace these finishes.
Ducted Climate Control Ducted air conditioning systems are expensive to replace and can be damaged in storm or fire events. Their inclusion in the building sum insured is appropriate and will add to the overall premium.
Body Corporate / Strata Property As a strata-titled townhouse, it's worth checking exactly what your body corporate insurance covers. Strata insurance typically covers the building's common areas and structure, but may not fully cover internal fixtures, improvements, or contents. A separate home and contents policy — like this one — is often essential to fill those gaps.
---
Tips for Homeowners in Preston Beach
1. Review your strata insurance policy first Before renewing your standalone policy, request a copy of the body corporate's insurance certificate. Understanding what's already covered under strata insurance can help you avoid paying twice for the same protection — and identify any genuine gaps.
2. Check your sum insured reflects current rebuild costs With construction costs rising significantly across WA, a sum insured set a few years ago may no longer be adequate. Use a building calculator or ask your insurer to reassess the rebuild cost for a 105 sqm townhouse with above-average fittings. Underinsurance is a real risk.
3. Compare quotes annually The insurance market is competitive, and loyalty doesn't always pay. With this quote rated above average for the suburb, it's well worth comparing alternatives. Even a modest saving of $300–$500 per year adds up over time.
4. Consider your excess strategically Both the building and contents excess are set at $1,000. Opting for a higher voluntary excess — say $2,000 — can reduce your annual premium meaningfully. If you have a solid emergency fund and are unlikely to make small claims, this is a sensible trade-off.
---
Compare Your Options at CoverClub
Whether you're renewing your existing policy or getting cover for the first time, it pays to compare. CoverClub makes it easy to see what home and contents insurance actually costs for properties like yours in Preston Beach — so you can make a confident, informed decision. Get a quote today and see how your current premium stacks up.