QLD councils call for federal government to help keep insurance premiums down
In the past decade, insurance premiums in northern Australia have skyrocketed.
A 2019 report from the ACCC shows that the average price of home building insurance in these areas rose a whopping 178% between 2007/08 and 2018/19. Now the Local Government Association of Queensland is calling on the federal government to establish a reinsurance pool, to help keep costs down for northern Australian residents.
A not-for-profit, LGAQ represents the collective interests of 77 councils in Queensland. Now in support of members, including Townsville City Council and the Whitsunday Regional Council, LGAQ has requested a national reinsurance pool in its Federal Budget submission to the Commonwealth.
What is a reinsurance pool?
In short, reinsurance is a way to reduce risk. It is basically when multiple insurance companies purchase policies from other insurance companies. This is essentially to share risk and avoid a total loss for one company, in case of disasters. The Reinsurance Association of America describes it as ‘insurance of insurance companies.’
So in this instance, insurance companies could potentially cede a certain amount of risk to the Federal government. This would lower the overall risk for individual insurance providers and keep insurance premiums down for residents in disaster-affected areas.
LGAQ President and Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson said that currently more than 62,000 homes in North Queensland are uninsured. More than 95% cite the high cost of insurance as the reason for this.
He said, “Our members councils want a reinsurance pool established to help reduce those costs so their communities are not unfairly burdened, and we support their call.”
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill added that the federal government has done this before. Here Hill refers to the ‘Terrorism Insurance Act 2003.’ This was a reinsurance pool set up following 9/11, when insurance companies withdrew terrorism cover from policies.
Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Andrew Willcox added, “It is not just homeowners who are struggling with high premiums, but also our tourism accommodation and marine operators face similar prohibitive expenses.”
Comparing home insurance
It remains to be seen how the federal government will respond to this call to action. In the meantime, if you are in need of insurance, why not head to Mozo’s compare home insurance page. Here you can compare cover from a number of insurance providers and gather quotes to see which ones can offer the most competitive price.
You can also check out our guides and previous articles, to learn more about insurance in general. This includes information on underinsurance and how to avoid it.
Compare home building insurance - rates updated daily
Home Buildings Insurance
- Main events covered
Fire
Theft
Storm
FloodOptional Extra
- Monthly payments
cost extra
- Yes
- Underinsurance protection
- Optional ExtraUp To 25% Of Sum Insured
- New for old
replacment
- Yes
- General contents
- No
- Cash
- No
- Cd dvd and electronic files
- No
- Computer software hardware
- No
- Camera and accessories
- No
- Carpets
- No
- Antiques and valuables
- No
- Jewellery
- No
- Replacement of documents
- No
- Tools of trade
- No
- Contents while moving
- No
- Lock replacement
- No
- Temporary accommodation
- Up to 10% of sum insured, up to 12 months. Combined with temporary accommodation for pets.
- Debris removal
- Up to 10% of sum insured combined with demolition cost
- Demolition cost
- Up to 10% of sum insured combined with debris removal cost
- Accidental loss and damage
- Optional Extra
- Accidental breakage of glass
- Yes
- Lightning
- Yes
- Earthquake
- Yes
- Storm surge
- No
- Buildings and structural improvements
- Yes
- Building materials
- Up to $1,000
- Landscaping
- No
- Gates and fences
- Yes
Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about Budget Direct Home Buildings Insurance
Premier Care Residential
- Main events covered
- Fire
- Theft
- Storm
- Flood
- Monthly payments
cost extra - No
- Underinsurance protection
- YesUp To 30% Of Building Sum Insured
- New for old
replacment - Yes
- General contents
- Yes
- Cash
- Up to $1,250
- Cd dvd and electronic files
- Yes
- Computer software hardware
- Computer software: Yes. Computer hardware: Yes.
- Camera and accessories
- Yes
- Carpets
- Yes
- Antiques and valuables
- Up to $20,000
- Jewellery
- Up to $5,000 per item, up to $20,000 in total
- Replacement of documents
- Up to $2,000
- Tools of trade
- Up to $3,000
- Contents while moving
- Up to 20% of sum insured
- Lock replacement
- Up to $2,000
- Temporary accommodation
- Up to 12 months, up to 10% of sum insured
- Debris removal
- Up to 10% of sum insured combined with demolition cost
- Demolition cost
- Up to 10% of sum insured combined with debris removal cost
- Accidental loss and damage
- Yes
- Accidental breakage of glass
- Yes
- Lightning
- Yes
- Earthquake
- Yes
- Storm surge
- Yes
- Buildings and structural improvements
- Yes
- Building materials
- Up to $2,000
- Landscaping
- Up to $10,000 for plants
- Gates and fences
- Yes
Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about Westpac Premier Care Residential
Premier Care Residential
- Main events covered
- Fire
- Theft
- Storm
- Flood
- Monthly payments
cost extra - No
- Underinsurance protection
- YesUp To 30% Of Sum Insured
- New for old
replacment - Yes
- General contents
- Yes
- Cash
- Up to $1,250
- Cd dvd and electronic files
- Yes
- Computer software hardware
- Computer software: Up to $3,000. Computer hardware: Yes.
- Camera and accessories
- Yes
- Carpets
- Yes
- Antiques and valuables
- Up to $20,000
- Jewellery
- Up to $5,000 per item, up to $20,000 in total
- Replacement of documents
- Up to $2,000
- Tools of trade
- Up to $3,000
- Contents while moving
- Up to 20% of sum insured
- Lock replacement
- Up to $2,000
- Temporary accommodation
- Up to 12 months, up to 10% of sum insured
- Debris removal
- Up to 10% of sum insured combined with demolition cost
- Demolition cost
- Up to 10% of sum insured combined with debris removal cost
- Accidental loss and damage
- Yes
- Accidental breakage of glass
- Yes
- Lightning
- Yes
- Earthquake
- Yes
- Storm surge
- Yes
- Buildings and structural improvements
- Yes
- Building materials
- Up to $2,000
- Landscaping
- Up to $10,000 for plants
- Gates and fences
- Yes
Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about St.George Premier Care Residential
Home Insurance
- Main events covered
- Fire
- Theft
- Storm
- Flood
- Monthly payments
cost extra - Yes
- Underinsurance protection
- No
- New for old
replacment - No
- General contents
- No
- Cash
- No
- Cd dvd and electronic files
- No
- Computer software hardware
- No
- Camera and accessories
- No
- Carpets
- No
- Antiques and valuables
- No
- Jewellery
- No
- Replacement of documents
- No
- Tools of trade
- No
- Contents while moving
- No
- Lock replacement
- Up to $500
- Temporary accommodation
- Up to 12 months, up to 12% of sum insured
- Debris removal
- Up to 20% of sum insured combined with demolition and professional fee costs.
- Demolition cost
- Up to 20% of sum insured combined with debris removal and professional fee costs
- Accidental loss and damage
- Optional Extra
- Accidental breakage of glass
- Yes
- Lightning
- Yes
- Earthquake
- Yes
- Storm surge
- No
- Buildings and structural improvements
- Yes
- Building materials
- Up to $1,000
- Landscaping
- No
- Gates and fences
- Yes
Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about Youi Home Insurance
Home & Contents Insurance
- Main events covered
- Fire
- Theft
- Storm
- FloodOptional Extra
- Monthly payments
cost extra - Yes
- Underinsurance protection
- Optional ExtraUp To 25% Of Sum Insured
- New for old
replacment - Yes
- General contents
- Yes
- Cash
- Up to $800
- Cd dvd and electronic files
- Up to $3,000 combined with computer software
- Computer software hardware
- Up to $3,000 combined with CDs/DVDs
- Camera and accessories
- Yes
- Carpets
- Yes
- Antiques and valuables
- Up to $5,000 per item for artwork, up to $12,000 in total, up to $2,000 for collections
- Jewellery
- Up to $1,000 per item, up to $5,000 in total
- Replacement of documents
- No
- Tools of trade
- Up to $2,000
- Contents while moving
- Up to 20% of sum insured
- Lock replacement
- Up to $1,000
- Temporary accommodation
- Up to 10% of sum insured, up to 12 months. Combined with temporary accommodation for pets.
- Debris removal
- Up to 10% of sum insured combined with demolition cost and emergency storage cost
- Demolition cost
- Up to 10% of sum insured combined with debris removal cost and emergency storage cost
- Accidental loss and damage
- Optional Extra
- Accidental breakage of glass
- Yes
- Lightning
- Yes
- Earthquake
- Yes
- Storm surge
- No
- Buildings and structural improvements
- Yes
- Building materials
- Up to $1,000
- Landscaping
- No
- Gates and fences
- Yes
Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about Virgin Money Home & Contents Insurance
*Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
Any information provided on this page should be considered a summary and general advice only. All information should be verified before purchase via the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).
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