{"menuItems":[{"label":"Do you need a permanent address to get car insurance?","anchorName":"#do-you-need-a-permanent-address-to-get-car-insurance"},{"label":"How to get car insurance without a permanent address","anchorName":"#how-to-get-car-insurance-without-a-permanent-address"},{"label":"What if I'm homeless and need car insurance?","anchorName":"#what-if-i-m-homeless-and-need-car-insurance"},{"label":"Getting car insurance if you're new to Australia","anchorName":"#getting-car-insurance-if-you-re-new-to-australia"},{"label":"Compare car insurance policies","anchorName":"#compare-car-insurance-policies"}]}
You need to provide your insurer with an address when you purchase a car insurance policy. However, many travellers, backpackers and Aussies don't have a permanent address, but that doesn't mean you can't get car insurance. In most cases, you can put down the address where the car spends most of its time.
Do you need a permanent address to get car insurance?
There are plenty of people with cars who do not have a permanent address. However, in order to get car insurance, you need to put down an address. You will usually be asked for the address where the car is normally kept at night.
Why? Because where you live helps insurers determine your premiums. This is because they use data to assess the risk of insuring your car, looking at factors such as theft and vandalism in the area, traffic accidents and the number of drivers on the road. By putting down an address, they'll have a clearer idea of the risks you're likely to encounter.
However, that shouldn't prevent you from travelling or seeing Australia. In most cases, you should still be covered if you plan to take a road trip. Just keep in mind that exclusions and limitations may apply so it's worth checking your product disclosure statement beforehand.
How to get car insurance without a permanent address
When you purchase a car insurance policy, you'll need to put down a fixed address. If you don't have a permanent address, you need to put down the address where the car spends most of its time e.g. where your car is usually parked overnight. If you're not sure, you won't be able to proceed. If you are staying with friends, in a hostel or backpacker lodge, you should put that as the address.
If for instance you put down a hostel you are staying in, it's worth updating your insurer each time you change address.
Some providers will be happy to insure you if you can provide your electoral roll address. Of course, this only helps if you are an Australian resident.
It's also worth keeping in mind that if you leave your nominated residential state for more than three months then you need to change your driver's licence and registration to the new state you are residing in. So for example, if you originally registered in New South Wales but have spent more than three months in Victoria, you are legally required to register in Victoria.
If you're travelling for more than three months but have not stayed in one state the entire time, you are not required to change your address.
What if I'm homeless and need car insurance?
If you don't have a home, you should put down the address your car is at most frequently. If you don't have a fixed address (somewhere your car spends most of its time), an insurer won't be able to offer you insurance. But if you find yourself spending a majority of your time in a particular area, you should be okay to just use the place where the car is parked most of the time.
Getting car insurance if you're new to Australia
If you've just arrived in Australia and don't yet have a permanent address, you should put down the address you are residing in, provided that is where the car will also be parked at night. It could be a hostel, backpacker lodge, airbnb or hotel. Once you have a permanent address, you should call your insurer before moving and let them know that your address will be changing. Not only will this allow them to recalculate your premiums based upon where you are moving, but it ensures any mail will go to the correct address. Other important requirements include:
An overseas licence that is current and valid. You will need to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) if your licence is in a language other than English. You will need to apply for a local licence if your overseas licence expires while you are in Australia.
Registration. If it hasn't been done already, you will need to register your car in the state you live in. If you are not sure if it has been registered or not, you can check online for free on the Australian government website.
CTP insurance. Cars registered in Australia also need to have compulsory third party insurance (CTP). CTP covers the driver for liability e.g. if you are at fault, CTP covers you for any compensation for injury or death that would need to be paid to other parties.
All insurers require you to keep them informed if you change address. Where you reside can have a significant impact on your premiums. To avoid claims being rejected, always keep your insurer in the loop. Also, if you move to a different state for more than three months, you are required to register in the new state.
In New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory, you will need to take out CTP insurance yourself. You can do this through a state approved insurer. In all other states, CTP insurance is included when you register your vehicle. Keep in mind though that this is the bare minimum. If you're planning to travel, or simply want full protection, your best option is comprehensive car insurance.
Compare car insurance policies
Why you can trust Finder's car insurance experts
We're free
You pay the same as buying directly from the car insurer. Better still, we regularly run exclusive deals that you won't find on any other site – plus, our tables make it easy to compare policies.
We're experts
Our team of car insurance experts have researched and rated dozens of policies as part of our Finder Awards and published 330+ guides to make it easier for you to compare.
We're independent
Unlike other comparison sites, we're not owned by an insurer. That means our opinions are our own and we work with lots of car insurance brands, making it easier for you to find a good deal.
We're here to help
Since 2014, we've helped 300,000+ people find car insurance by explaining your cover options, simply and clearly. We'll never ask for your number or email. We're here to help you make a decision.
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, news.com.au, The Telegraph, Explore Travel and Escape. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification and a Kaplan Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146).
How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Important information about this website
finder.com.au is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We are committed to our readers and stands by our editorial principles
We try to take an open and transparent approach and provide a broad-based comparison service. However, you should be aware that while we are an independently owned service, our comparison service does not include all providers or all products available in the market.
Some product issuers may provide products or offer services through multiple brands, associated companies or different labeling arrangements. This can make it difficult for consumers to compare alternatives or identify the companies behind the products. However, we aim to provide information to enable consumers to understand these issues.
We make money by featuring products on our site. Compensation received from the providers featured on our site can influence which products we write about as well as where and how products appear on our page, but the order or placement of these products does not influence our assessment or opinions of them, nor is it an endorsement or recommendation for them.
Products marked as 'Top Pick', 'Promoted' or 'Advertisement' are prominently displayed either as a result of a commercial advertising arrangement or to highlight a particular product, provider or feature. Finder may receive remuneration from the Provider if you click on the related link, purchase or enquire about the product. Finder's decision to show a 'promoted' product is neither a recommendation that the product is appropriate for you nor an indication that the product is the best in its category. We encourage you to use the tools and information we provide to compare your options.
Where our site links to particular products or displays 'Go to site' buttons, we may receive a commission, referral fee or payment when you click on those buttons or apply for a product. You can learn more about how we make money.
When products are grouped in a table or list, the order in which they are initially sorted may be influenced by a range of factors including price, fees and discounts; commercial partnerships; product features; and brand popularity. We provide tools so you can sort and filter these lists to highlight features that matter to you.
Please note that the information published on our site should not be construed as personal advice and does not consider your personal needs and circumstances. While our site will provide you with factual information and general advice to help you make better decisions, it isn't a substitute for professional advice. You should consider whether the products or services featured on our site are appropriate for your needs. If you're unsure about anything, seek professional advice before you apply for any product or commit to any plan and read any disclosure documents (such as any Target Market Determination (TMD) and/or Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)) issued by the provider before making a decision.
Providing or obtaining an estimated insurance quote through us does not guarantee you can get the insurance. Acceptance by insurance companies is based on things like occupation, health and lifestyle. By providing you with the ability to apply for a credit card or loan, we are not guaranteeing that your application will be approved. Your application for credit products is subject to the Provider's terms and conditions as well as their application and lending criteria.
Please read our website terms of use and privacy policy for more information about our services and our approach to privacy.
