Insurance prices rank high on a list of the most stressful cost-of-living pressures, new research reveals.

Home and vehicle cover placed fourth, selected by 40% of respondents in the latest True Issues survey conducted by JWS Research. Health and medical – including health insurance – was third on 42%.

They were beaten only by food and groceries (65%) and electricity (48%).  

Among people aged over 55, more than half said home and car insurance was a key stress.

There is a city-country divide, with 52% of regional respondents selecting home and vehicle insurance, compared with 34% of metro residents.

Insurance costs placed higher than fuel (32%), mortgage repayments (29%), rent (24%), home and vehicle maintenance, water rates, gas, home internet, public transport fares, road tolls, parking and fines, education, leisure activities, digital subscriptions, clothing and childcare. 

Home and vehicle insurance was cited as a top cost pressure by 44% of women and 36% of men.

Cost of living was rated the issue government should focus on most, selected by 77% of respondents.  

It beat housing supply and affordability (50%), hospitals and healthcare (46%), the economy and finances, immigration and border security, the environment and climate change, employment and wages, interest rates, energy, aged care, and social cohesion/dealing with violent extremism.

“Living costs lead concerns across key demographic groups,” JWS said.

See the research here.