There's a reason why Budget Direct consistently win awards for their car insurance.
Budget Direct's Comprehensive Car Insurance is the only policy of theirs that will cover your own car against accidental damage - whether that be because you've run up the back of someone, or if a nasty hail storm has decided to smash up your car. They'll also give you a shiny new car if yours is written off in the first two years, will cover you for damage to other people's property, and gives you the choice of your own repairer, plus more.
Are they right for you? Read on to find out.
Finder's 3 favourite features
- Have won multiple Money Magazine awards for Insurer of the Year and Cheapest Car Insurance
- Save 15% when you buy online.
- Access to Hail Hero, so your car is never stuck in a storm.
Review by our car insurance expert Alexandra Koster
How does Budget Direct's Comprehensive policy stack up?
Budget Direct
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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.
- 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.
- 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. If you write off your car in the first two years or if you have driven it less than 40,000 kilometres, Budget Direct will replace it with a new vehicle.
- Emergency transport and accommodation. If Budget Direct pays a claim for damage to your car, you’ll be covered for the cost of emergency transport and accommodation costs when necessary.
- 14 days hire car after theft. If your car is stolen, you will receive 14 days of hire car cover, up to a maximum of $1,000.
- $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 million legal liability cover. The policy provides $20 million 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 or 40, 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 Insurance Company Limited.
- 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. If you get a quote and purchase cover online, you can save 15% off your Budget Direct comprehensive car insurance premium.
- 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.
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
Hi Dawn,
Thanks for reaching out.
You can get quotes from providers with no-claims bonus discounts on this page.
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.
Cheers,
Joanne