Top-Rated Home & Contents Insurers in 2026
Canstar's 2026 Home & Contents Insurance Awards evaluated providers across 24 consumer profiles in eight states and territories, weighing price and features equally. Six insurers took out national awards this year: AAMI, Allianz, Budget Direct, QBE, Suncorp and Westpac (which also covers St.George, Bank of Melbourne and BankSA policies).
AAMI
AAMI won across all three categories — home, contents and combined — making it one of the most consistently competitive insurers on the market. It offers flexible sum-insured options and a $50 online discount, with strong claims-handling reviews.
Allianz
Allianz took out awards for both home and combined insurance, with a reputation for comprehensive standard inclusions — including cover for temporary accommodation and accidental damage as an optional add-on. A solid pick if you want a well-known underwriter (many smaller brands are underwritten by Allianz anyway).
Budget Direct
Budget Direct is consistently one of the cheapest combined policies on the market, with a 20% new-customer discount for buying online and no unnecessary extras — a good fit if price is your main driver and your home is fairly standard.
QBE
QBE picked up awards across home, contents and combined cover, and is known for higher default sum-insured buffers that help protect against underinsurance after a total loss — a meaningful feature given how much rebuild costs have risen since 2021.
Suncorp
Suncorp (also underwriting AAMI and GIO) offers combined home and contents policies with flexible excess options and an emergency accommodation benefit as standard, useful if your home becomes unliveable after a claim.
Westpac
Westpac's home insurance (also sold through St.George, Bank of Melbourne and BankSA) bundles well for existing banking customers and picked up awards in all three categories in 2026.
How to Actually Compare
- Compare the sum insured basis — 'total replacement' policies rebuild your home regardless of cost, while a fixed sum insured pays out only up to the stated amount
- Check what's included as standard vs. paid add-on (accidental damage, portable contents, temporary accommodation)
- Confirm the excess for your risk type — flood and storm excesses are sometimes set separately and higher than the standard excess
- Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for exclusions, especially around bushfire, flood and storm surge if you're in a high-risk postcode
This page is for educational purposes and isn't personalised financial advice. Premiums, terms and eligibility vary by insurer, state and individual circumstances — always check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before buying.