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Budget Direct Comprehensive Car Insurance Review

With Budget Direct Comprehensive Car Insurance, you'll get a competitive first year policy discount of 15% if you buy online.

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Tim Falk
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Budget Direct Comprehensive Car Insurance is the only policy from Budget Direct that covers your own car against accidental damage – whether you've run up the back of someone, or a nasty hail storm has decided to smash up your car. Other benefits include the choice of your own repairer, and more.

Our Verdict:

  • Budget Direct's most comprehensive policy goes that bit further than the brand's other two policies. For one, your car will be covered against accidental damage. You'll also get a new vehicle if yours is written off in its first year, or if there's fewer than 20,000km on the clock.
  • The 15% online discount on your first year's premium looks generous against some of the competition – Coles offer 10%.
  • You'll need to add emergency roadside assistance on to your policy; Youi offers this as standard in its comprehensive plan.

Review by our car insurance senior writer James Martin

How does Budget Direct's Comprehensive policy stack up?

Name Product Accidental Damage Roadside Assistance Fire and Theft New car replacement Hire Car After Theft
Budget Direct Comprehensive
Finder Award
Budget Direct Comprehensive
Optional
Yes - If your car is written off in the first year or is under 20,000 km
$1,000
Finder's summary: Awarded the 2021 Finder Award for Car Insurance - Value in QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA and Car Insurance - Features in NSW, VIC, WA, this policy offers solid coverage at a low cost. Budget Direct's claims service has received a 4.2/5 based on nearly 5,000 customer reviews.

⭐ Current offer: Get 15% discount on first year's premium when you take out a policy online. T&Cs apply.

Who it might be good for: People who want a comprehensive policy without breaking the bank.
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Budget Direct
Deal

15% online discount on car insurance

Receive 15% off your first year's premium when you purchase a new policy online. T&Cs apply.
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What am I covered for?

  • Cover for accidental damage. Budget Direct comprehensive car insurance provides cover if your car is damaged as a result of a collision, storm, flood, hail, attempted theft or malicious act. This includes cover for the cost of recovering, towing and storing your car if it is unsafe to drive as a result of the damage.
  • Cover for fire and theft. If your vehicle is stolen or catches fire, this policy pays up to the sum insured for your car. Budget Direct also provides cover for the cost of recovering, towing and storing your car if it is unsafe to drive as a result of the damage.
  • Agreed or Market value cover. You can cover your car for its current market value or another amount you agree upon with the insurer.
  • New car replacement. Yes - If your car is written off in the first year or is under 20,000 km, Budget Direct will replace it with a new one.
  • Emergency transport and accommodation. If Budget Direct accepts a claim for damage to your car, you'll be covered for the cost of emergency transport and accommodation costs when necessary.
  • Hire car after theft. Budget Direct will arrange a car hire for you if your car is stolen.
  • $500 personal effects cover. If your car is involved in a collision, your policy will provide up to $500 for the repair or replacement of personal effects that were in your car at the time of the collision. Budget Direct will also reimburse you for the loss of personal effects that were in your car when it was stolen.
  • $1,000 cover for replacement keys. If your car keys or your vehicle's remote locking device are stolen, the policy provides $1,000 worth of cover for their replacement and the recoding of locks.
  • $1,000 trailer cover. If your trailer or caravan is damaged in a collision, Budget Direct comprehensive car insurance provides up to $1,000 of cover to repair the damage.
  • $20,000,000 legal liability cover. The policy provides $20,000,000 of cover for any legal liability arising from the use of your car.

What additional options should I consider?

There are several additional options you can include with your Budget Direct comprehensive car insurance policy:

  • Restricted driver discounts. By restricting the youngest driver of your car to the age of 21, 25, 30, 40 or 50, you can access a cheaper premium.
  • Maximum no-claim discount protection. Under this option, you can make one claim on your policy a year (or two claims over a three-year period) without impacting your maximum no-claim discount.
  • Roadside assistance. Budget Direct's roadside assistance ensures that you're never stranded if your car breaks down, your battery goes flat or you suffer a flat tyre.
  • Windscreen excess reduction. You can reduce the excess payable for windscreen damage claims by agreeing to pay a higher premium.
  • Accident hire car benefit. If your car is being repaired after an accident, this option provides you with access to a hire car until your own vehicle is back on the road.

Are there any exclusions I should be aware of?

Budget Direct will not pay your comprehensive car insurance claim if your car was:

  • Being used by any household member not listed on your certificate of insurance.
  • Being driven by anyone specifically excluded from cover.
  • Being driven by someone who does not hold a valid licence or permit to drive in Australia.
  • Being driven by someone under the influence of alcohol or any other drug.
  • Being used to carry passengers or other people's goods for payment.
  • Being used for the unpaid tuition of a driver excluded from cover.
  • Being used in connection with the motor trade (other than servicing or repairing).
  • Being used for racing, trials, tests, contests, rallies.
  • Being used for any unlawful purpose.
  • Being driven in any unsafe, unroadworthy or overloaded condition.
  • Being used to carry explosive, flammable or toxic goods.
  • You did not go with your car when it was shown for sale and it was stolen.
  • The driver of your car did not remain at the scene of an accident when they were required by law to do so.
  • For any reduction in the value of the car following repair.
  • For tyre damage caused by punctures, cuts or bursts.
  • For consequential loss of any kind.
  • It is caused by wear and tear, abuse, corrosion, rust or depreciation.
  • It is caused by mechanical, structural or electrical breakdown, malfunction or failure.
  • It is for loss, damage or liability deliberately caused by any insured person or someone acting on their behalf.
  • It is caused by the lawful repossession or confiscation of your vehicle.
  • It is caused by cleaning, modifying, repairing or restoring the car.
  • It arises because you used the incorrect type of fuel.

Other things to know about Budget Direct's Comprehensive policy

  • The insurer. Budget Direct comprehensive car insurance is issued by Auto & General Services Pty Ltd.
  • Excesses payable. A basic excess applies to all claims under your Budget comprehensive car insurance policy. Additional excesses apply to under 25s, those who haven't held their driver's licence for at least 2 years, and people who aren't listed as a driver.
  • Flexible excess. You can choose a higher basic excess and receive a lower premium in return.
  • Online discount. 15% discount on your first year's premium for a new policy purchased online
  • 21-day cooling-off period. Budget Direct comprehensive car insurance features a 21-day cooling-off period. This means you can cancel your policy within the first 21 days and receive a full refund of any premium you have paid.
  • Premium payment options. You can pay your Budget Direct car insurance premiums by direct debit, credit card and PayPal. You can pay premiums annually or by instalments.
  • Lifetime repair guarantee. All repairs that are authorised by the insurer are guaranteed for as long as you own the car.
  • 24/7 claims service. You can make a claim on your Budget Direct policy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can make a claim either online or over the phone.

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2 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    DawnJanuary 15, 2018

    My daughter is about to buy a new car and will need comprehensive insurance. Her current vehicle had green slip cover only, but she has not had an accident in 20 years of driving. How do we ascertain a No Claim bonus?
    Thank you

    Reply
      Avatarfinder Customer Care
      JoanneJanuary 16, 2018Staff

      Hi Dawn,

      Thanks for reaching out.

      You can get quotes from providers with no-claims bonus discounts. To ascertain a no claim bonus, your current insurer will be able to provide a statement highlighting your no-claims rating. When you switch car insurance, your old insurer can pass this along to the new insurer. Before you proceed, please ensure you review the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions of your policy.

      Cheers,
      Joanne

      Reply
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