We pick policies that score well for policy features and price performance.

The CHOICE expert score is based on our assessment of price and what the policy covers. It's made up of 60% cover score and 40% price score. A higher score is better. N/A means a price score wasn't available for this policy.

The score is made up of property valuation (15%), insured event cover (25%), legal liability cover (5%), claiming (10%), portable contents cover (10%) and additional features (35%).

We surveyed customers to ask them about their overall experience with the insurer. This score represents the percentage of people who rated their experience as above average or excellent. N/A means there was no result for that insurer. This score does not contribute to the CHOICE Expert Rating.

The company that issues your insurance and in most cases handles the claims.

Your sum insured amount is the maximum amount your insurer will pay to repair or replace your building. You should set it to the cost of replacing all of your belongings. If a policy has an underinsurance safety net (also called "gap cover") the insurer will pay a percentage above your sum insured if necessary. A total building replacement policy doesn't use a sum insured - you simply get your building totally replaced.

The sum insured is the maximum amount your insurer will pay to replace your contents. You should set it to the cost of replacing all of your belongings. If a policy has an underinsurance safety net (also called "gap cover") the insurer will pay a percentage above your sum insured if necessary.

Cover for when a member of your household is responsible for damage to or loss of another's property, or another person's injury or death. Building insurance usually covers you at home, while contents insurance covers you away from home.

A tick means this insurer doesn't charge a fee for paying monthly. A cross means this insurer imposes an extra administration fee for paying monthly. This is sometimes described as a discount for paying annually, but it amounts to the same thing.

The fewer dollar signs, the cheaper the policy compared to other products available in the territory. "N/A" means the insurer doesn't operate here, or doesn't participate in the premium sharing program we use to collect pricing data.

The fewer dollar signs, the cheaper the policy compared to other products available in the state. "N/A" means the insurer doesn't operate here, or doesn't participate in the premium sharing program we use to collect pricing data.

The fewer dollar signs, the cheaper the policy compared to other products available in the territory. "N/A" means the insurer doesn't operate here, or doesn't participate in the premium sharing program we use to collect pricing data.

North Queensland means north of the Tropic of Capricorn. The fewer dollar signs, the cheaper the policy compared to other products available in the region. "N/A' means the insurer doesn't operate here, or doesn't participate in the premium sharing program we use to collect pricing data.

South Queensland means south of the Tropic of Capricorn. The fewer dollar signs, the cheaper the policy compared to other products available in the region. "N/A" means the insurer doesn't operate here, or doesn't participate in the premium sharing program we use to collect pricing data.

The fewer dollar signs, the cheaper the policy compared to other products available in the state. "N/A" means the insurer doesn't operate here, or doesn't participate in the premium sharing program we use to collect pricing data.

The fewer dollar signs, the cheaper the policy compared to other products available in the state. "N/A" means the insurer doesn't operate here, or doesn't participate in the premium sharing program we use to collect pricing data.

The fewer dollar signs, the cheaper the policy compared to other products available in the state. "N/A" means the insurer doesn't operate here, or doesn't participate in the premium sharing program we use to collect pricing data.

The fewer dollar signs, the cheaper the policy compared to other products available in the state. "N/A" means the insurer doesn't operate here, or doesn't participate in the premium sharing program we use to collect pricing data.

North Queensland means north of the Tropic of Capricorn.

North WA means north of the Tropic of Capricorn.

Cover for accidental damage to your building and/or insured items at the home.

Cover for damage caused by fire and its by-products (smoke, soot, ash, etc). Waiting periods for bushfire may apply, unless you are switching from another policy with equivalent cover with no change in sum insured.

In some policies the actual exploding object is not covered.

Cover for theft or burglary from your home. Most insurers require you to make a police report.

Damage to easily broken objects like mirrors. Not to be confused with accidental damage, which is a broader level of cover.

From pipes, tanks, pools, spas, baths/basins, aquariums, waterbeds etc. Excludes faulty workmanship or leaks that cause damage over time.

Cover if a tree falls on your house or a car crashes into your front room, for example. Some insurers that cover animal damage do so under this event.

May also be called "malicious damage". Some insurers also classify "riot" as a separate event.

Flood as per the standard industry-wide definition. Waiting periods may apply unless you are switching from another policy with equivalent cover with no change in sum insured.

Cover for storm damage, including from wind, hail, snow and rainwater runoff (some insurers cover runoff under flood). Waiting periods may apply unless you are switching from another policy with equivalent cover with no change in sum insured.

Where the sea level rises as a result of a storm. You may also have to claim for storm damage or flood for this to be covered. Some insurers only cover in the event of cyclone. If this is important cover for you, check the PDS.

This usually covers the normal movements of the sea, including damage from king high tides, water erosion, etc.

Earthquake cover often comes with an additional excess of $300 or more. Check your PDS for details.

Products that cover tsunami usually include it under earthquake cover, and often comes with an additional excess of $300 or more. Check your PDS for details.

This cover often comes with a range of exclusions - insect damage or damage caused by your pets typically isn't covered, for example.

The easiest ways to begin a claim outside business hours. All insurers have a phone line you can call during the day, and some insurers still have in-branch claiming.

Insurers will settle your claim in one of three ways.

How much will you get in a cash settlement? How a cash payout is calculated can depend on whether you request it or the insurer offers it. Customer cost: The insurer will pay what it will reasonably cost you to repair/replace your property. Insurer cost: The insure will pay what it would cost them. This offer may take into account trade discounts the insurer can access, leaving you out of pocket.

How much will you get in a cash settlement? How a cash payout is calculated can depend on whether you request it or the insurer offers it. Non-cash alternatives might include gift cards, pre-paid debit cards, store credit, etc. Customer cost: The insurer will pay what it will reasonably cost you to repair/replace your contents. Insurer cost: The insurer will pay what it would cost them. This offer may take into account trade discounts the insurer can access, leaving you out of pocket.

All insurers promise to replace contents with equivalent new items, although some policies have exceptions.

Cover for burnout of motors that are part of your building, eg automatic garage doors or air conditioner units. Motors in contents are also frequently covered, eg washing machines. Also called motor fusion.

Cover for replacing locks and re-coding electronic keys after a break-in or theft of the keys. Policies usually stipulate you report the break-in to the police.

Typically includes trees, shrubs, etc planted in the ground. Lawns are usually excluded. Potted plants are usually defined as contents, and treated separately.

During rebuilding, in the event of total loss.

Cover the cost of professionals such as surveyors, engineers and architects.

Fees your bank might charge for early payment of your mortgage in the event of the total loss of your building.

To demolish and remove debris after an insured event. Cover also applies to contents claims unless specified.

If your home is uninhabitable after an insured event.

Cover for unspecified portable items such as jewellery, phones and sporting equipment. Some insurers will cover general contents away from home, while others cover a limited range of items (check the PDS for specifics). You may be covered for accidental loss and damage, on top of the usual list of insured events. In some cases you will pay a reduced excess.

For an extra premium you can insure individual portable valuables against accidental loss or damage. Individually listed items are insured for their replacement value and will be shown on your certificate of insurance. Your insurer may require you to list something if it is worth more than the item limit for "unspecified" portable contents. Some insurers will only cover certain items if you specify them, such as phones.

Open air usually includes any area on your property that is exposed to the elements, but may also include unlockable areas like a garden shed. Each insurer has different definitions, so check with them for restrictions.

Covers the cost of commercial storage for your undamaged contents, if they are unable to be kept at your home or temporary accommodation after an insured event.

Limits for unlisted jewellery at the home. If you want a higher level of cover or need cover away from home, see listed valuables cover above.

Cover for unlisted works of art. If you want a higher level of cover, you may be able to specifically list individual items.

Cover for unlisted collections (eg coins, stamps). If you want a higher level of cover you may be able to specifically list the collection. In some cases cover may depend on the type of collection, so check the PDS.

Cover for contents such as digital media, software, and storage (e.g. discs, drives).

Typically you won't pay the full excess unless it is as a result of an insured event (in which case you'll probably be claiming for other damages).

Cover for your visitors' belongings if they are lost or damaged in an insured event. Standard exclusions and restrictions will apply.

Some policies will cover your vet bills in certain circumstances.

Let your insurer know you're moving house and they may cover your contents at both properties during the moving process.

Cover while moving your contents to a new home. Usually only covers your contents while they're in the moving truck, not while you're loading in or out.