STRATA and home and contents insurance campaigner Margaret Shaw believes consumers are starting to win the fight against excessive insurance premiums in North Queensland.

Ms Shaw said a "Protecting the North" package from Suncorp allowed people to directly insure a set of up to 10 units or duplexes worth up to $5 million, saving up to 20% on what they would normally pay.

Ms Shaw said of the two examples she knew, the savings had been even greater than that.

"There's one set of five units in Townsville who were paying $10,000 per year in strata insurance," she said.

"Now they're paying $2000.

"It's gone from $2000 a unit to $400."

Ms Shaw said in another example a set of three units went from paying $6000 per year to just $1070 per year.

Ms Shaw said it felt good to finally gain traction with an insurer after nearly four years of fighting.

"The insurance companies don't want interference in the market, which is what the (Northern Australian Insurance Premium) taskforce is proposing," she said.

Ms Shaw said there were other new products on the insurance market.

"Insurance Australia Group have brought out a very different basic home and contents product called InsureLite, available online," she said.

"If a house is destroyed or deemed irreparable, the cover provides a new three-bedroom home built to the value of $150,000 or $200,000, as pre-selected by the customer, or a lump sum payment."

Ms Shaw also said Suncorp and Good Shepherd Microfinance had come up with a joint contents and cars product called Essentials by AAI, aimed at low income earners.

As well as being named a finalist in the Queensland Regional Achievement and Community awards, Ms Shaw is in the running for the people's choice award.

Head to www.facebook. com/qldraca to vote for Ms Shaw.