INSURANCE PAIN: Douglas homeowners stunned by huge premium rises

Douglas Shire residents have been left feeling like they’ve been kicked while they’re down, after receiving their latest home insurance premium renewal notices – some showing huge increases.

On top of more cost of living pressures in the past few months – Newsport understands some insurance policyholders have been hit with annual increases of $1,000 or higher.

Added to power bills which have risen dramatically, higher interest rates, more expensive grocery prices, fuel hikes and council rate rises, it’s no wonder that some homeowners are seriously considering cancelling their insurances.

Some Douglas residents lodged house and related insurance claims as the result of Cyclone Jasper in December. 

For a previous story about claims, the Insurance Council of Australia informed us that around $45-million total in claims were paid in Douglas Shire.

But there are many policyholders who didn’t make claims – yet they have still received increases over the past couple of weeks, in some cases more than 30 per cent.

“Just thought I’d mention that we received from Sure our annual house insurance renewal today and the claims due to Jasper have definitely kicked in - 26% increase on our premium!” one social media user said. 

“Just wondering if anyone else out there has been hit with this yet?”

Others were clearly astounded by the amount of their premium increase:

“It's a shock isn’t it? Mine has gone up a 1000.” 

“Ours just came at $5900.” 

“Ours has doubled.”

“Mine gone up 33% and when I tried changing insurance companies most wouldn’t take me as Mossman is now high risk for flooding,” yet another homeowner lamented.

The anger at the sharp rises was evident.