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Inside the high value home
The report’s findings show that the most expensive losses are often the most ordinary. Internal water damage, for instance, is one of the costliest and most common claims among high value homes. In a climate where storms and floods are intensifying, mitigation measures such as automatic shut-off valves, drainage monitoring and proactive maintenance can make a substantial difference.
For many households, the goal is no longer simply to recover from damage but to prevent it entirely. That focus is extending to lifestyle assets such as art, heirlooms and other collections, where documentation and protection are becoming as important as acquisition.
From reaction to prevention
Beyond the installation of smart technologies such as leak detection, fire sensors and storm monitoring to mitigate climate and property risks, regular home appraisals are being used to identify vulnerabilities before claims occur. In many cases, prevention now sits at the centre of the protection strategy.
Angela Capponi, head of personal lines for Chubb Australia and New Zealand, says this shift reflects a broader cultural change. “Wealth now extends beyond money. It includes identity, lifestyle and legacy. Protecting that requires more than foresight. It calls for trusted partners and tailored insurance solutions.”
For Chubb Australia, that means providing tools and advice that help clients preserve the significance as well as the substance of their assets – ensuring treasured possessions can be enjoyed today and passed on tomorrow.
Younger cohorts, earlier decisions
The report also points to a profound generational change. Seventy-two per cent of millennials and 65 per cent of Gen Z aim to retire early, seeing wealth as freedom rather than just security. Many are inheriting significant assets earlier than their parents did, requiring them to make serious financial and protection decisions sooner.
Angela Capponi, head of personal lines for Chubb Australia and New Zealand.
That earlier transfer of wealth is accelerating demand for practical advice on valuation, governance and insurance. A substantial share of total assets among affluent families is now passed down rather than earned over a lifetime. Younger Australians are more likely to view wealth through the lens of continuity – wanting to preserve what they inherit and ensure it remains meaningful for the next generation.
Cyber becomes personal
As wealth becomes more digital, new risks are emerging. Families that once worried about burglary or fire are now equally concerned about identity theft, data breaches and reputational harm. Six in 10 high net worth Australians now view cybersecurity as a personal exposure, and many are turning to insurers for help building resilience.
Cyber protection today goes far beyond antivirus software. It includes monitoring digital identities, securing personal data and having response plans ready if something goes wrong. Many affluent families now treat cyber protection the same way they do home security – essential, proactive and personal.
What the numbers mean for protection
Together, the findings illustrate a clear blueprint for modern wealth preservation. Start with comprehensive appraisals to identify vulnerabilities in homes and collections. Ensure that assets are correctly valued, scheduled and stored. Install smart technology to detect and mitigate the most likely causes of loss. Safeguard digital identities with monitoring and strong authentication. And most importantly, integrate these measures into an insurance program designed for the complexity of high value lifestyles.
A new wealth narrative
The 2025 Chubb Australia Wealth Report captures a moment of evolution. Accumulation still matters, but endurance now defines prosperity. For many high net worth Australians, wealth is not a finish line but a legacy – one that blends material assets with personal meaning. Protecting that legacy requires foresight, discipline and partnerships built on trust.
As Capponi says, “High net worth individuals today are navigating a new wealth landscape that brings both opportunity and risk. Protecting wealth requires more than foresight – it calls for insurance solutions that understand the complexity of safeguarding valuable assets.”
For more insights, access the 2025 Chubb Australia Wealth report here.
