Large homes, and everything that comes with them.
Homes that would cost $3 million or more to rebuild. Often there’s a guest house, a pool house, a tennis court and established gardens. There may be staff, a cellar, art or a garage of cars.
A rebuild can take years, not months. Standard policies aren’t built for any of this, and their limits are where large homes end up underinsured.
The house, the grounds, and the time to rebuild.
- An accurate rebuild cost: ideally from a quantity surveyor, with a policy that allows for it running over.
- Outbuildings and grounds: guest house, pool house, tennis court, pool equipment, walls, gates, fences and gardens, each covered for what it costs to rebuild.
- Somewhere to live: better policies cover alternative accommodation for as long as a large rebuild really takes.
- Security: alarms, gates, safes and safe rooms are taken into account in the price.
- Liability: a limit to suit a large home that hosts guests. More on liability.
- Art, wine and cars: on the same policy, each with its own section. See every section.
Guests and staff are covered differently.
If a guest is hurt at your home, personal liability covers it. A housekeeper, gardener or nanny is an employee, and workers compensation for domestic staff is a separate state scheme, not part of your home policy.
If you employ people at the house, mention it on your application and we’ll point you to the right cover.
Who can cover a home this size.
Tell us about your home once. Public records fill in most of the details. We then send it to every insurer on our panel that can take it: Castle & Sure up to $5 million, Blue Zebra (backed by Chubb, AIG and HDI) up to $7 million, and Prevail Elite from $3 million, priced by its underwriters.
Above $7 million, no insurer on our panel prices online. Your details go to a private clients specialist the same day.
You’ll see who can cover you before you give anyone your phone number. How it works.
Mansion insurance FAQs
What is mansion insurance?
Home insurance for very large homes: usually a rebuild cost of $3 million or more, with valuable grounds and outbuildings, often staff, and a rebuild that takes longer than a standard policy allows. It’s the same family as luxury home insurance. Mansion just describes the size.
How much does mansion insurance cost?
It depends on the rebuild cost, construction, location, security and what else you’re insuring, so there’s no typical figure. What matters as much as the premium is the limits. A cheap policy with a $100,000 cap on outbuildings isn’t cheap if the guest house burns down. Our quote shows prices from every insurer that can cover the home.
Do I need a quantity surveyor’s estimate of the rebuild cost?
For a home this size, it’s usually worth it. Public records give a rebuild range for most homes, but a one-off design, a difficult site, heritage features or imported materials are exactly where that range gets it wrong. Underinsuring is the costliest mistake a large home can make.
Are guest houses, pool houses, tennis courts and landscaping covered?
Yes, if you list them. Standard policies have small limits for outbuildings and grounds. Policies for large homes cover each one for what it would cost to rebuild. List retaining walls, gates, fences, pools and pool equipment, and established gardens too.
What about the people who work at the house?
Personal liability covers visitors who are hurt on the property. Staff are different. Workers compensation for domestic staff is a state scheme, not part of a home policy. If you employ a housekeeper, gardener or nanny, tell us and we’ll point you to the right cover.
How long does alternative accommodation last if the house is unliveable?
It depends on the policy. Standard policies usually allow about a year. Policies for large homes often allow longer, because a rebuild this size can take two years or more. The product disclosure statement gives the exact period.
Is mansion insurance the same as luxury home insurance?
Yes, just at the larger end. Above about $7 million, no insurer on our panel prices online. Your details go to a specialist underwriter the same day. More on luxury home insurance.
Is the advice on this page personal advice?
No. Everything on this site is general information only and doesn’t take your objectives, financial situation or needs into account. Read the product disclosure statement before deciding, and ask us if anything is unclear.
Luxury Cover arranges insurance as a broker. The policies are issued by the insurers, and what they cover depends on the policy you choose. Each quote links to its product disclosure statement. General information only.