Insurance is a legal agreement between an individual or entity (policyholder) and an insurance company (insurer). The policyholder agrees to pay a specified premium in exchange for the insurer's promise to provide financial compensation in case of a covered event, such as an accident, theft, or natural disaster. The main purpose of insurance is to minimise the financial impact of unexpected events. It helps to provide peace of mind for the policyholder.

Whether you need insurance or not will depend on your personal circumstances, financial situation, and the specific risks you face. Insurance is generally recommended to help protect you, your family, and your assets from unexpected events, such as accidents or natural disasters that could lead to significant financial losses.

Insurance works by pooling the resources of a large group of Insurance policyholders to share the financial risks associated with unforeseen events that are covered by your policy. If something unexpected happens and you make an insurance claim, the insurer will draw from this pool of money to ensure you are put back in the same position you were in prior to a claimable event.

Depending on where you are located in Australia, some insurance policies are mandatory. For example, all vehicle owners must have Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance, which covers personal injury claims resulting from car accidents. There are penalties for driving without CTP (see your relevant state or territory authorities to check what these penalties are). Home insurance is not legally required in Australia. However, homeowners with a mortgage are usually required by their lender to have home insurance. Other types of insurance, such as health, life, and travel insurance, are not legally required but are highly recommended for financial protection and peace of mind.