Double Bay remains one of Sydney’s most exclusive suburbs — home to grand harbourside estates, architectural townhomes, luxury apartments, designer renovations and some of the highest-value real estate in the Eastern Suburbs.

But in 2025, Double Bay homeowners are facing a rapidly changing insurance environment.High-value properties in this suburb are now under greater pressure from rising rebuild costs, new insurer restrictions and shifting risk classifications.

This blog reveals what’s changed, why Double Bay homes require specialist cover, and how affluent homeowners can protect their prestige assets with the right insurance strategy.

1️⃣ Rebuild Costs in Double Bay Have Hit an All-Time High

Double Bay’s luxury properties often include:

• imported stone and bespoke materials

• premium glazing and steelwork

• architectural kitchens and high-end joinery

• designer interiors and luxury furnishings

• multi-level layouts with complex engineering

• landscaped resort-style outdoor areas

  
  

In 2025, rebuild costs for high-end Eastern Suburbs homes have risen to $7,500–$15,000 per sqm, depending on complexity.

This has created a major underinsurance problem, especially for:

• older homes with new luxury upgrades

• harbourfront properties

• high-end apartments with expensive strata rebuild contributions

• architect-designed homes with unique structural requirements

Most Double Bay homeowners are unknowingly underinsured by 30–60%.

2️⃣ Harbourfront & Elevated Homes Now Face Stricter Insurance Rules

Double Bay’s prized locations — including areas around:

• Ocean Avenue

• St Neot Avenue

• Carinthia Avenue

• Cross Street ridge

• Beach Road surrounds

are experiencing new insurer scrutiny due to:

✔ Salt exposure affecting coastal-facing homes

accelerating rust, corrosion and structural wear.

✔ Wind-driven storms

impacting roofing, windows, skylights and external finishes.

✔ Increased claims relating to water ingress

especially in older or renovated buildings.

While Double Bay isn’t as exposed as clifftop suburbs like Dover Heights or Vaucluse, its harbourside pockets are now considered elevated risk zones.

3️⃣ High-Value Contents Require Specialist Protection

Double Bay households frequently own:

• fine art

• jewellery and luxury watches

• designer furniture

• antiques

• high-end fashion collections

• premium technology

• curated décor

Retail insurance caps are too low to cover these properly.

Specialist luxury contents insurance provides:

✔ higher limits

✔ accurate replacement value

✔ accidental damage

✔ worldwide protection

✔ cover for valuables, art and collections

This is essential for Double Bay’s high-net-worth clients.

4️⃣ Luxury Apartments + Strata = New 2025 Insurance Gaps

Double Bay’s luxury apartment market is booming, but many owners are unaware of:

• underinsured strata policies

• special levies not covered by insurance

• upgraded interiors not included in strata plans

• higher-value fixtures needing optional cover

Owners of prestige apartments in Double Bay must ensure their contents, upgrades and luxury finishes are individually insured.

5️⃣ Smart Homes & High-Income Households Face New Cyber Risks

Double Bay has one of the highest concentrations of:

• smart-home systems

• integrated security

• remote-access tech

• luxury home automation

With this comes elevated exposure to:

• hacking

• identity theft

• digital lock breaches

• data theft

• cyber fraud

Specialist luxury policies now include cyber security protection, which retail insurers lack.

6️⃣ Liability Risks Are Increasing in Affluent Suburbs

Larger Double Bay homes often employ:

• gardeners

• cleaners

• babysitters

• domestic staff

• pool technicians

• contractors and trades

This raises personal liability exposure, especially during renovations or service scheduling.

Premium insurers offer liability limits that retail providers cannot match.

Why Double Bay Homeowners Choose Luxsure in 2025

Luxsure provides elite private-client insurance tailored for prestige suburbs like Double Bay.

Our offering includes:

✔ True-to-value rebuild assessments

Not generic calculators — precise valuations based on luxury construction rates.

✔ Specialist coastal, harbourfront & architectural underwriting

Essential for Double Bay’s mixed terrain and premium homes.

✔ High-value contents protection

Ideal for art, jewellery, antiques and designer interiors.

✔ Cyber and identity protection

Critical for smart-home environments.

✔ Higher limits, fewer exclusions & superior claims handling

Designed specifically for high-net-worth homeowners.

✔ Discrete, VIP service

For clients who expect expertise and confidentiality.

📞 Protect Your Double Bay Prestige Home in 2025

Whether you own a:

• harbourside mansion

• architectural family home

• luxury apartment

• renovated designer residence

• 
  

your Double Bay property deserves insurance tailored to its value, location, materials and lifestyle risks.

Request a private, specialist luxury home insurance assessment today. Your home deserves elite protection.