Budget Direct won the 2024 Finder Award for best value car insurance. It comes with the same benefits you get with the most comprehensive car insurance providers but for less money, according to our research. NRMA isn't typically as cheap but it's got stores throughout NSW and gives you a little more money for emergency repairs.
Budget Direct vs NRMA car insurance prices compared
As part of our 2024 Finder car insurance awards, we collected over 1,800 comprehensive quotes from 30 car insurance providers, using a range of driver profiles across different states, ages and genders.
On average, Budget Direct typically offers cheaper car insurance than NRMA. However, it's important to keep in mind that price may not be the only factor in your search for the best car insurance.
Provider
NSW
QLD
SA
TAS
VIC
WA
Aus average
Budget Direct
$1,148
$941
$978
$829
$1,180
$880
$992
NRMA
$2,027
$1,154
$1,038
$1,004
$0
$1,034
$1,252
These quotes are formed based on a fictional driver profile and your own quote will differ based on your personal circumstances. This should be used as a guide only.
Budget Direct has a good rating on popular review sites and scored 4.32/5 in the Finder Customer Satisfaction awards. NRMA has less positive reviews and couldn't be rated in the Customer Satisfaction awards because of eligibility – it's not available in all states.
Great customer service and it was easy to add roadside assistance to my insurance policy.
Budget Direct car insurance customer, WA
Was easy to use, when had a flat battery roadside assistance was there withing 15 mins to help jumpstart my car. Good experience.
Budget Direct car insurance customer, VIC
Recommend Budget Direct, very satisfied.
Budget Direct car insurance customer, QLD
Best value and good service.
NRMA car insurance customer, QLD
Good quality insurance.
NRMA car insurance customer, WA
Great value.
NRMA car insurance customer, ACT
Budget Direct and NRMA complaints information
Using data from the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), we can see how many motor insurance complaints the underwriters for Budget Direct (Auto & General) and NRMA (Insurance Australia Limited) have received and resolved.
Underwriter
Complaints received
Complaints resolved at registration & referral
Referral resolution rate
Auto & General Services Pty Ltd
1431
723
50.56%
Insurance Australia Limited
1413
760
53.82%
Finder's verdict
Budget Direct and NRMA have pretty similar levels of cover but our research shows that Budget Direct is typically cheaper. NRMA has stores throughout NSW which might make it more appealing for some people though.
Gary Ross Hunter is an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146).
Would you know what to do if you were involved in a car accident? This guide looks at the steps to take after an accident has occurred, from securing the scene to making a claim with your insurer.
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