cohabit insuranceSmarter insurance for your strata building.
Data that works harder
Buildings are quoted on hundreds of real data points, not just a handful — meaning insurers price less “unknown” and you get sharper, fairer premiums.
Smarter insurance for your strata building.
Find fair, data-backed cover with no hidden costs. Cohabit Insurance uses real building data to deliver smarter cover, clearer insights, and help lower the total cost of risk.
Most strata buildings are quoted on a handful of basic data points. Cohabit Insurance is different - we use 595+ real building data points to give underwriters a complete picture of your building, which means more accurate pricing, better coverage and fewer surprises at claim time.
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The Cohabit Difference
Cohabit centralises strata records, inspections, insurance and building metadata — turning fragmented information into clear, structured profiles for every building in Australia.
Claims made simple
A real-time claims portal and human specialists keep committees informed at every step based on your preferred level of visibility.
Broader market access
We quote with a panel of underwriters, including trusted strata insurers.
Transparent by design
No hidden fees. Just transparent policy recommendations and understandable values.
Our Specialist Capability
Experienced Strata Specialists
Our team specialises in complex and high-defect buildings, including those with extensive defect schedules, regulatory compliance issues, or adverse claims history, as well as the placement of insurance for new developments.
Privately Owned Advice
Our private ownership allows us to provide objective, client-focused recommendations and structure a market strategy designed around your building's needs and outcomes.
Comprehensive market access
We approach the entire market of underwriters and insurers, making sure you have the best chance of getting a competitive price. All proposals are presented clearly, enabling the Owners Corporation to make fully informed, confident decisions.
Tailored, not templated
Every insurance program we design is bespoke. Coverage, limits, risk retention, and cost considerations are aligned to your building's construction, claims history, risk profile, and budget priorities.
Service that continues after placement
We provide ongoing advice, practical claim support, and responsive communication, without generic call centre handoffs, ensuring issues are managed proactively throughout the policy period.
Our Insurance Director, Eleni Sivinos, specialises in managing complex, high-value placements with challenging underwriting profiles, drawing on experience across both domestic and international insurance markets. Her expertise enables her to navigate sophisticated risk scenarios and deliver tailored insurance solutions for clients with unique requirements. Eleni holds Tier 1 Insurance Broking and Tier 2 General Insurance qualifications, alongside a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Communications, reflecting a strong combination of technical insurance expertise, legal insight, and strategic negotiation skills.
When appointed, you can expect:
Renewal planning
(starting from 4 months prior to the renewal date)
Full market engagement each renewal
Clear renewal reporting
(delivered ahead of decision time)
Claims support that's fast and practical
Ongoing advice when it matters
Direct contact with your dedicated broker
Insure your strata building with confidence today.
Simply complete the below form and one of our Strata Insurance Specialists will be in touch shortly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Commonly asked insurance and claims-related questions.
For general FAQs go here
Do we need Strata Insurance?
Yes, Strata insurance is mandatory in Australia for all residential and commercial strata titled properties. Strata titled buildings are legally required to hold insurance on the building, common property and liability protection.
What is covered and not covered?
| Items | Strata Insurance | Landlord Insurance | Personal Contents Insurance (Tenant/Owner Occupier) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building structure – Includes walls, foundations, formwork, roofing, ceilings, plumbing, electrical wiring, guttering and downpipes, windows, doors, fire exits, and garage doors. | Yes | – | – |
| Common property and shared facilities – Covers areas and assets such as steps, lifts, stairwells, gardens, rainwater tanks, irrigation systems, swimming pools, basements, garbage chutes and bin rooms, sheds, gyms, driveways, fences, gates, outdoor lighting, garages, carports, gazebos, patios, sunrooms, balconies and balustrades, sewer and septic systems, letterboxes, cooling towers, and shared lighting and security systems. | Yes | – | – |
| Permanent fixtures within each lot – Includes built-in items like fixed ovens/stoves, kitchen cupboards, bathroom vanities, and shower screens. Note that strata policies may vary, particularly where alterations have been made to the property. | Yes | – | – |
| Legal liability – Protection for incidents occurring in common areas or on shared property. | Yes | – | – |
| Tenant-owned belongings – Covers personal possessions such as clothing, jewellery, furniture, televisions, carpets, and electrical appliances owned by the tenant. | – | – | Yes |
| Tenant-related risks – Includes cover for damage caused by tenants, loss of rental income, and legal expenses related to tenant disputes or recovery actions. | – | Yes | – |
| Landlord-owned contents within the unit – Encompasses furniture, fittings (e.g. carpets, lino, blinds, curtains, light fittings, paint, wallpaper) and non-fixed fixtures such as appliances not permanently wired in, including washing machines, stoves, dishwashers, and in-unit air conditioners or heaters. | – | Yes | – |
Do I need to take out my own insurance?
It is strongly recommended that owner-occupiers, landlords, and tenants arrange their own insurance to cover risks specific to their individual lot, as these are not typically addressed under strata insurance.
| Occupant Type | Recommended Cover |
|---|---|
| Owner Occupied | Personal Contents Insurance |
| Tenants | Personal Contents Insurance |
| Landlords | Landlord Insurance |
Personal contents insurance provides protection for belongings such as furniture, jewellery, collections, and other valuable items.
Landlord insurance offers cover for risks associated with leasing a property, including liability arising from tenant occupancy, protection for landlord-owned contents, loss of rental income due to insured events, and a range of additional benefits.
What are the mandatory coverages in each state?
Insurance requirements vary across each state and territory in Australia, however, all strata-titled properties are legally required to maintain a minimum level of insurance cover.
| Policy Section | NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | ACT | TAS | NT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insured Property | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M |
| Liability to Others | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M |
| Voluntary Workers | M | OPT | OPT | OPT | OPT | OPT | OPT | OPT |
| Workers Compensation* | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M |
| Fidelity Guarantee | OPT | OPT | OPT | OPT | OPT | OPT | OPT | OPT |
| Office Bearers Liability | OPT | OPT | OPT | OPT | OPT | OPT | OPT | OPT |
| Machinery Breakdown | OPT | OPT | OPT | OPT | OPT | OPT | OPT | OPT |
| Catastrophe Cover | OPT | OPT | OPT | OPT | OPT | OPT | OPT | OPT |
| WHS, Audit Costs & Legal Defence | OPT | OPT | OPT | OPT | OPT | OPT | OPT | OPT |
| Lot Owners’ Fixtures & Improvements | OPT | OPT | OPT | OPT | OPT | OPT | OPT | OPT |
* Workers Compensation is mandatory in all jurisdictions where the body corporate employs workers. The definitions of “worker” and “employment” may vary between jurisdictions.
Do we need a valuation every year?
Under applicable legislation, Owner Corporations and Body Corporates are required to insure buildings for their full rebuild and/or replacement value. While a formal valuation by a qualified valuer is typically mandated every three to five years, it is considered best practice to review the sum insured regularly and obtain updated valuations every two to three years to account for rising construction costs and inflation.
Still have questions?
If you didn't find your answer, feel free to reach out
Can I check if my policy covers a loss before making a claim?
Yes. You may enquire about coverage before lodging a claim. Your broker can provide factual references from the Product Disclosure Statement, and the insurer will give guidance without discouraging you from proceeding with a claim.
What information will I receive when I make a claim?
The insurer will outline the claims process, applicable excess, any waiting or exclusion periods, and how to contact them regarding your claim.
How soon will the insurer request information to assess my claim?
Within 10 business days of receiving your claim, the insurer will request any required information, appoint a loss assessor or adjuster if necessary, and provide an estimated decision timeframe.
How often will I receive claim updates?
You will receive progress updates at least every 20 business days. Routine enquiries will be responded to within 10 business days.
What happens if an external expert is engaged?
External experts are expected to provide a report within 12 weeks. If delays occur, the insurer will keep you informed.
Still have questions?
If you didn't find your answer, feel free to reach out
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