Strata & Unit Owners Insurance Sunshine Coast: Protecting Shared Properties

Introduction

The Sunshine Coast is one of Queensland’s fastest-growing regions, with apartments, units, and townhouses becoming increasingly popular in Buderim, Maroochydore, and surrounding suburbs. For many residents and investors, strata living offers affordability, convenience, and access to shared facilities like pools, gyms, and landscaped gardens.

But with shared property comes shared responsibility. That’s why Strata and Unit Owners Insurance is essential. At Design Cover Insurance Brokers, we help body corporates, strata managers, and individual unit owners understand their obligations and secure the right cover to protect buildings, residents, and investments.

What Is Strata Insurance?

Strata Insurance is a legal requirement under Australian law for any property subdivided into lots and managed by a body corporate or owners’ corporation. It provides cover for the building and common property, such as:

  • Shared roofs and walls

  • Foyers, stairwells, and lifts

  • Car parks and driveways

  • Swimming pools and gyms

  • Gardens and outdoor facilities

This cover ensures the entire strata property is financially protected against damage, liability claims, and unexpected costs.

What About Unit Owners Insurance?

While strata insurance covers the building and common areas, it doesn’t protect an individual lot owner’s contents, upgrades, or rental income. Unit owners may need:

  • Contents Insurance – for furniture, appliances, and personal belongings.

  • Landlord Insurance – for rental properties, covering tenant risks and loss of rent.

  • Upgrades & Fixtures – cover for renovations, air conditioning units, or flooring installed by the owner.

Why Is Strata Insurance Essential on the Sunshine Coast?

  1. High-Risk Weather Events
    The Sunshine Coast is prone to storms, cyclones, and flooding, which can cause significant damage to strata complexes.

  2. Shared Living Spaces
    Accidents in common areas can lead to liability claims against the body corporate. Without cover, these costs could fall on all owners.

  3. Legal Requirement
    In Queensland, strata insurance is mandatory for buildings under a body corporate scheme.

  4. Protects Owners’ Investments
    For both residents and investors, strata insurance ensures the building is repaired or rebuilt after insured events, safeguarding property values.

What Does Strata Insurance Cover?

Most strata insurance policies include:

  • Building Replacement & Repair – walls, roofs, balconies, and common property.

  • Common Area Contents – shared carpets, gym equipment, or office furniture.

  • Public Liability – cover if someone is injured in a common area.

  • Catastrophe Cover – extra protection for large-scale disasters.

  • Office Bearers’ Liability – covers strata committee members for management decisions.

  • Loss of Rent & Temporary Accommodation – for lot owners if units are uninhabitable after an insured event.

Real-Life Scenarios

  1. Maroochydore Apartment Storm Damage
    A severe storm damages the roof of a high-rise apartment complex. Strata insurance funds the repairs, while unit owners with contents policies replace damaged belongings.

  2. Buderim Townhouse Fire
    A kitchen fire spreads through multiple units. Strata insurance covers the structural repairs, while affected landlords receive rent replacement.

  3. Sunshine Coast Body Corporate Liability
    A visitor slips in a wet foyer and sustains injuries. Public liability cover pays for legal and medical costs, protecting all unit owners from shared liability.

Unit Owners’ Additional Cover

While strata policies are comprehensive, they don’t cover everything. Unit owners should consider:

  • Contents Insurance – protects items inside your unit, such as furniture and electronics.

  • Landlord Insurance – covers tenant-related risks like rent default and malicious damage.

  • Fixtures & Renovations Cover – ensures upgrades such as timber flooring, stone benchtops, or split-system air conditioning are protected.

Common Exclusions in Strata Insurance

  • Wear and tear or lack of maintenance.

  • Contents inside individual units.

  • Fixtures not originally part of the building unless declared.

  • Short-term rental risks (Airbnb/holiday lets) unless disclosed.

  • Damage caused by illegal activities.

At Design Cover, we explain exclusions clearly so body corporates and owners know what’s included and what requires separate cover.

How Much Does Strata Insurance Cost?

Premiums are influenced by:

  • Property type (apartment complex, townhouse scheme, mixed-use building).

  • Location (Buderim hillside vs coastal Maroochydore).

  • Building construction and age.

  • Number of lots and shared facilities (pools, lifts, gyms).

  • Claims history of the scheme.

For example, a high-rise near Maroochydore beach may pay higher premiums due to cyclone and flood risks, while a smaller Buderim townhouse complex may cost less to insure.

Benefits of Using a Broker Like Design Cover

Navigating strata insurance requirements can be complex. Working with Design Cover Insurance Brokers offers:

  • Expert Guidance – understanding legislation and policy requirements.

  • Tailored Cover – matching policies to the unique risks of your property.

  • Multiple Insurer Access – ensuring competitive premiums and comprehensive cover.

  • Claims Support – managing claims on behalf of the body corporate or individual owners.

Tips for Strata Committees & Unit Owners

  1. Review Policies Annually – keep up with building upgrades and regulatory changes.

  2. Check for Underinsurance – ensure rebuild costs are accurate in today’s market.

  3. Communicate with Owners – make sure lot owners know what’s covered (and what isn’t).

  4. Consider Specialist Cover – for short-term rentals, holiday lets, or commercial units.

  5. Engage a Broker Early – before issues arise, to avoid gaps in protection.

Why Sunshine Coast Clients Choose Design Cover

With over 20 years of broking experience, Tanya and the team at Design Cover provide strata insurance solutions for properties across the Sunshine Coast. We understand the local risks in Buderim, Maroochydore, and coastal areas, and work with leading insurers to deliver:

  • Competitive policies tailored to each scheme.

  • Peace of mind for both body corporates and individual owners.

  • Personal service and ongoing support throughout the policy life.

Conclusion

Strata and unit ownership comes with shared responsibilities and unique risks. Whether you’re on the committee of a body corporate, an investor with rental units, or an owner-occupier, having the right Strata and Unit Owners Insurance ensures your property and financial interests are protected.

At Design Cover Insurance Brokers, we simplify the process and tailor policies to suit your scheme, budget, and lifestyle.

📞 Call Tanya today on 0419 550 677
📧 Email hello@designcover.com.au