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Best Car Insurance Australia
Our round-up can help you find the best car insurance policy for you.
We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!
Some of the best car insurance policies
We've listed some key benefits provided by Finder car insurance partners in the table below. Keep an eye on the Finder summary. It'll tell you a little bit more about the insurer as well as what type of driver the policy is particularly well suited to.
Types
Guides
Must read: What does best car insurance really mean?
No car insurance policy is perfect for everyone. What's best for you might not be best for your friend or even your neighbour. However, this page will help you find cover which works for you, no matter who you are or what car you're driving.
Finder Award Winner: Budget Direct Car Insurance
Budget Direct won the 2019 Finder Award for Best Value Car Insurance because it was one of the more affordable policies on the market, while still providing strong coverage for your car.
Its policy boasts flood and storm cover, 24/7 phone assistance, adjustable excess, optional roadside assistance, a hire car, towing costs and even a hail warning SMS system.
- 15%
15% off first year's premium for new policies purchased online. T&Cs apply. - 24/7
24/7 roadside assistance for less than $1.60 a week
If you're looking for the best car insurance, we can help. We've analysed 42 different car insurance policies and requested a total of 336 quotes, all so you have an easier time tracking down top-quality cover.
This page will reveal which policies were the highest scorers, which ones suit drivers on a budget and which ones are great for people who want the fullest cover possible. Plus, we'll give you tips on how to get the most out of your policy, regardless of which one you choose.
What is the best car insurance: Provider breakdown
| Provider | Finder's analysis | Who it might be good for | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Awarded the 2019 Finder Award for the Best Value Car Insurance, this policy offers solid coverage at a low cost. Key replacement, towing costs and personal effects are all covered as well as a hire car if yours is stolen. You also have the option to add roadside assistance and choice of repairer. Budget Direct's claims service has received a 4.2/5 based on nearly 5,000 customer reviews. Keep in mind, you might have to pay a bit more to get your own choice of repairer and there are a few extra excesses to be aware of. |
| Get quote |
 | This policy covers all the basics like damage to your vehicle and towing from the scene, as well as extras such as hire car and emergency travel and accommodation costs. While it has similar features to other brands, it has one of the higher limits for personal effects and key replacement. Purchasing a policy could earn you up to 30,000 Qantas Points and you can get additional points by getting your car serviced or checking your tyres. You'll also get access to the Qantas Wellness app. You'll have to pay extra if you want your own choice of repairer. |
| Get quote |
 | Youi Comprehensive Car Insurance is one of the few providers to include roadside assistance in its policy. As well as covering you for things like damage to your vehicle, key replacement and a hire car, when you sign up, you'll also get access to YouiRewards. This gives you discounts on things like Amart furniture, parking and more. It also provides counselling services of up to $1,500 if you're involved in an accident and need to talk to someone about it. Other perks include a hire car if you're not at fault, optional cover for specific business items (up to $1,000) and a handy live chat option on its site to get you in contact with a Youi rep. Remember, Youi doesn't offer a no claim discount. |
| Get quote |
 | Stella is an insurer that is female-centred. It will cover you if your car is damaged as a result of domestic violence. It offers higher cover for baby gear than most, with up to $2,000 cover for prams, strollers and child seats. It also offers higher cover for personal items than most so your handbag, phone and jewellery should be protected. You can get a free Bauer Media magazine subscription when you sign up and know that a portion of your premiums are going towards supporting female-led businesses. Keep in mind that although Stella is tailored to women, it isn't necessarily a cheaper policy for women to go with. |
| Get quote |
 | Bingle consistently comes up as one of the cheaper insurers out there. It only covers the basics, so you don't get to choose your own repairer, you're not covered for personal items in the car and you won't get a hire car if your car is stolen. It also only operates online. But all this keeps its premiums low. Remember, it only covers you for market value and you won't get a choice of your repairer. |
| Get quote |
 | Coles has two tiers of comprehensive car insurance to choose from: comprehensive and comprehensive plus. It covers you for damage to your car, gives you a hire car, new car replacement if your car is less than 2 years old and $200 towards grocery replacement if your shopping is stolen or damaged. The higher tier policy will also give you a hire car until your claim is sorted, one free windscreen repair each year and an additional year for new car replacement. You'll also earn double Flybuys points at Coles supermarkets and you can get $10 off your Coles grocery bill every time you redeem 2,000 Flybuys points. If you're over 30, you can get roadside assistance free for a year. Keep in mind, Coles won't let you choose your own choice of repairer. |
| Get quote |
 | Finalist for the 2019 Finder Awards for Best Value Car Insurance, Virgin Comprehensive provides a good level of cover for a decent price. You'll get 15% off when you buy online and get covered for things like key replacement, towing costs and the personal items in your car. Plus, if your vehicle is stolen, it'll give you a hire car. Another added perk is its hail hero service, which gives you a warning if hail is expected so you can get yourself and your car to safety. You'll have to pay more if you want your own repairer. |
| Get quote |
 | Poncho works like a monthly subscription. You can pay monthly at no extra cost and there's only one standard excess you need to worry about. If it's not for you, you can leave anytime; there are no lock-in contracts or cancellation fees. You can also list multiple cars and drivers under one policy, making it ideal for families and groups living together under one household. Be sure to list any other driver on your policy. Otherwise, you'll have to pay a $3,000 excess if they're in an accident. |
| Get quote |
 | Real Comprehensive Car Insurance provides similar coverage to other insurers for the important stuff like looking after your car if it's stolen or you crash. This includes damage by fire or weather and if your car is written off within two years of its registration, it'll replace it with a new one. It's also one of the few insurers that offers a pay as you drive policy, so you might be able to save big if you don't drive much. Younger and inexperienced drivers listed on your policy will have to pay an added excess on top of the standard one, but this is usually pretty common in other policies too. |
| Get quote |
 | Kogan comes with all the perks that most comprehensive car insurance policies include – such as cover for theft, fire and weather, new for old car replacement, towing costs and more – but you'll also be entitled to some benefits on its online store. This usually comes in the form of a gift voucher or discount if you buy online. Plus, Kogan offers a pay as you drive option, which could be good if you're not on the road that much. Kogan tries to keep things affordable, so you don't get to choose your own repairer and you'll have to pay extra if you want a hire car if your vehicle is stolen (others include this automatically). |
| More info |
For each of our sections below, we've called out specific brands based on their price rating, feature rating and Finder score. To read more about our methodology, head to our dedicated page.
What's the best car insurance with comprehensive cover?
According to Finder analysis, Budget Direct has the best comprehensive car insurance policy.
⭐ Finder Award Winner and Money Magazine insurer of the year
⭐ Free hail alert app so you can avoid nasty hailstorms
⭐ 15% when you buy online
Although there's no car insurance policy which is perfect for everyone, Finder's analysis determined Budget Direct's comprehensive policy to be the best.
How do we know? We analysed 42 different car insurers and requested a total of 336 quotes, using 8 different driver profiles. We then created an algorithm which scored them on both features and pricing to give you our top three insurers. It was a long process but we're proud of it.
| Brand | Average price | Price rating | Feature rating | Finder score | Get a quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $927 | 9.1 | 7.1 | 8.1 | Get quote |
| $943 | 8.8 | 7.3 | 8.1 | More info |
| $946 | 8.4 | 7.1 | 8.1 | Get quote |
Important: We didn't include telematics insurers in this round-up, but don't worry, we've got a separate section on the best telematics car insurers further down.
Best car insurers, Australia
We've listed the five comprehensive car insurance policies which came out on top in our analysis. You can compare some core benefits, as well the ratings we awarded each policy, to see which is best for you.
One more thing: The policies highlighted in blue use telematics to adjust the cost of your premium. This means that the cost highlighted isn't your final premium as the cost can go up or down depending on how you drive.
| Brand | Average price | Choice of repairer | Roadside assistance | Agreed or market value | Feature rating | Finder rating | Get a quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $919 | ✅ | 🔘 | Agreed | 7.3 | 8.3 | More info |
 | $927 | 🔘 | 🔘 | Both | 7.1 | 8.1 | Get quote |
 | $943 | ✅ | 🔘 | Both | 7.3 | 8.1 | More info |
| $946 | 🔘 | 🔘 | Both | 7.1 | 8.1 | Get quote |
 | $626 | ❌ | ❌ | Both | 5.0 | 7.5 | More info |
🔘 = optional ❌ = not covered ✅ = covered
What's the best car insurance for those wanting to keep costs down?
According to Finder analysis, Bingle has the lowest cost for comprehensive car insurance.
⭐ Bingle's average policy price was $2,198 cheaper than the most expensive policy
⭐ Operates online only and passes cost savings on to customers
⭐ No cancellation fees
Bingle's pricing is consistently cheaper than other insurers in the market. In fact, the company's average price was $2,198 cheaper than the most expensive insurer.
However, while Bingle is great for budget cover, what you save in money you do sacrifice in features. The insurer's feature rating was just 3.3 out of 10 so it's up to you to weigh up whether you want all the bells and whistles or you'd prefer low-cost comprehensive cover.
We found that by paying a bit more cash each year, you could be getting a product that gives you a lot more coverage. See more below:
| Brand | Average price | Price rating | Feature rating | Finder score | Get a quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $780 | 9.8 | 3.3 | 6.5 | Get quote |
| $927 | 9.1 | 7.1 | 8.1 | Get quote |
| $943 | 8.8 | 7.3 | 8.1 | More info |
Important: We didn't include telematics insurers in this round-up, but don't worry, we've got a separate section on the best telematics car insurers further down.
What's the best car insurance for coverage?
According to Finder analysis, NAB has the most comprehensive car insurance policy
⭐ Up to $1,000 emergency accommodation costs
⭐ Up to $500 emergency repairs covered
⭐ Option to add $3,000 cover for tools of trade
In addition to all the essentials, NAB's comprehensive car insurance policy offers additional cover for heaps of issues you might run into while on the road. Cover for personal belongings and even baby capsules is included as standard. It'll even pay up to $500 for emergency repairs that are required to get you back on the road after an insured accident.
Of course, you'll have to pay a little more for your policy. NAB's average price was $1,354, slightly above the overall average of $1,244.
| Brand | Average price | Price rating | Feature rating | Finder score | Get a quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $1, 354 | 2.6 | 8.2 | 5.4 | More info |
 | $1,652 | 0.7 | 7.6 | 4.1 | More info |
 | $1,782 | 0.5 | 7.5 | 4.0 | More info |
What's the best car insurance that uses telematics?
According to Finder analysis, Ubicar is the best car insurer which uses telematics.
⭐ Ubicar's average price was just $919, significantly less than the overall average of $1,244
⭐ Feature rating of 7.3 – just 7 other policies scored higher
⭐ Options to be rewarded for low-mileage or safe driving
| Brand | Average price | Price rating | Feature rating | Finder score | Get a quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $919 | 9.3 | 7.3 | 8.3 | More info |
| $626 | 10 | 5.0 | 7.5 | More info |
| $918 | 9.5 | 4.6 | 7.1 | Get quote |
Telematics is a way of tracking your driving habits. Insurers use data sent from your smartphone to analyse factors including braking, cornering, speeding and even if you're touching your phone while driving.
From there, the insurer can figure out how safe your overall driving is and adjust your premium to suit. It's great for people who don't drive often or are always very safe, but you may see a jump in your premiums if your driving isn't ideal. Even some sudden braking could see your premium go up.
What's the best car insurance for low-mileage drivers?
According to Finder analysis, Ubicar is the best car insurer for low-mileage drivers.
⭐ Ubicar's average price was just $919, significantly less than the overall average of $1,244
⭐ Feature rating of 7.3 – just 7 other policies scored higher
⭐ Options to be rewarded for low-mileage or safe driving
| Brand | Average price | Price rating | Feature rating | Finder score | Get a quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $919 | 9.3 | 7.3 | 8.3 | More info |
| $927 | 9.1 | 7.1 | 8.1 | Get quote |
| $943 | 8.8 | 7.3 | 8.1 | More info |
If you don't use your car very often or only drive short distances, you might benefit from choosing a car insurer which rewards low-mileage drivers.
Finder requested quotes from over 30 different car insurers using the same driver profile but different estimated mileages. We found 11 car insurers which reward Aussies for driving less.
Which is the best car insurance type?
Comprehensive car insurance is the best type of cover if you want full protection. However, if your car is low value, you might want to think about a different option.
There are four types to choose from. Compulsory third party (CTP), third party property damage, third party fire and theft and comprehensive.
Compulsory third party
Legally, you can't drive without this. It pays for legal liability and medical bills if you injure someone on the road.
Third party property damage
This is the lowest level of optional cover. It covers damage to other cars and property. So if you cause an accident, you won't be left with the bill. But if there's damage to your own car you'll have to pay the repair costs from your own pocket. We'd never drive without it.
Third party fire and theft
This type of insurance will cover damage to other vehicles and property like a normal third party policy would. It will also pay out if your car is stolen or damaged due to fire.
Comprehensive
The highest level of insurance, it covers all the basics plus accidental damage to your car. Comprehensive car insurance is particularly important if you have a high-value car, depend on your car or don't have the funds to buy a replacement car.
Which type is the best car insurance for me?
| Type | Who is it good for? |
|---|---|
| Third party |
|
| Third party fire and theft |
|
| Comprehensive |
|
How can I create the best car insurance for me?
Lots of car insurers let you customise your policy so you can get cover which is better for you. Often, you can add certain features or apply specific restrictions. These will have an impact on the price of your policy, with some making it more expensive and others bringing the cost down.
- Excess: Your excess is the amount you pay towards a repair or replacement bill, before the insurance company starts to cover the rest. If you set a higher excess, you'll bring the cost of your regular premiums down.
- Age restrictions: You can restrict the age of insured drivers on your car, which means young people won't be covered while they're behind the wheel. This is a great way to reduce the cost of your premium but only if young people will never be driving your car.
- Driver restrictions: Some insurers let you restrict insured drivers to only those who are named on the policy. Again, this is a great way to cut the cost of your premium but beware: if you lend your car to someone who isn't listed on the policy, they won't be covered.
- Choice of repairer: This benefit means you're able to choose your preferred garage for repairs, sometimes it's included as standard but usually it's an optional extra which costs more. However, it can be more convenient and mean you get your car back quicker.
- Hire car: Most comprehensive policies offer a hire car after theft but you can usually add a benefit which means you can access a hire car whenever your car is off the road. It'll make your policy more expensive, but if you rely on your car to get around, it's an important feature.
- Roadside assistance: The majority of car insurers offer roadside assistance as an optional extra although a rare few include the cover as standard. Adding this to your policy can save you cash if you ever need to be towed.
- Windscreen cover: You may be able to add windscreen cover to your policy to make it even more comprehensive. This usually means you can have your windscreen repaired or replaced if it's damaged, without having to pay the excess.
How can I find the best car insurance?
The best car insurance for you might be different to the best care insurance for your next door neighbour. However, there are steps everyone can take which will help pin down the best cover possible, no matter who you are!
- Know what you want. Before you get started, figure out whether you want third party, third party fire and theft or comprehensive car insurance. It's an important first step.
- Compare online. We'll say it 1,000 times if we have to. Comparing online is the best way to find car insurance which is right for you and save money while you're at it.
- Question your loyalty. Some insurers reward customers for staying with them, but the reward isn't always worth it. Compare every year to see if you're really getting a good deal.
- Talk to the insurers. If you're getting similar quotes from two insurers, give them both a call. Some companies will reduce the premium just to win you over.
- Look for deals. Lots of car insurers run attractive deals or offers to entice new customers. Keep an eye out for promotional offers and you could get up to 15% off your premium.
- Read the PDS. All the terms and conditions of your policy are written in the product disclosure statement. If there's anything you're unsure of, just ask your insurer to explain.
- Customise your policy. You don't have to opt for straight out the box cover. Lots of companies let you customise policies to make your premiums cheaper or your cover more comprehensive.
FAQs
Is there a single best car insurance policy in Australia?
No. Different policies will suit different people. It's more about comparing your options so you can find one which is right for you, at a price you can afford.
What's the cheapest car insurance?
That'll depend on your personal details, but if you're looking for low-cost cover, try our guide on how to find the cheapest car insurance.
What if I'm not happy with my car insurance?
You can switch! Most car insurance companies have a 14-day cooling-off period which means you can cancel your policy within 2 weeks, without any penalty, if you change your mind. Don't worry if it's after that time frame, you can still cancel and claim a refund but you may be charged a fee by some companies.
Picture: Getty Images
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Is there ANY Car Insurance Companies that have their Call Centres in Australia?
Hi Bernadette,
Thank you for reaching out with Finder.
There may be car insurance companies where their phone support is in Australia, however, I’m afraid we don’t have a list of them. If you are wanting to get a support from Australia, you can try to politely ask if they have a support based in Australia and state your reason why you are requesting for one. But regardless wherever the phone support center is, the insurers must have trained them to provide proper assistance to users in Australia.
I hope this helps and enjoy your day!
Kind Regards,
Mai
Which is the best car insurance (comprehensive) for elderly seniors 65 retired, pensioners, who does not drive much at all , less than 5000 Kms, with best driving history, driving for the last more than 40 years. NCB – for more then 20 years
WE also want best and easy service at the time of need.
Hi David,
The best car insurance for an individual would be the one that best meets their needs, preference, and budget. With this in mind, I recommend you check our list of seniors car insurance. Please use our comparison table found on that page and get an overview of the offers and features of each brand.
Once you have selected one, you may proceed by selecting the “Get Quote” button and be redirected to your chosen brand’s website.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Danielle
If you make a claim when the incident is not your fault e.g. hail damage, do you lose your no claim bonus?
Hi David,
Thank you for your question.
finder.com.au is a comparison and information service and we are not permitted to provide our users with personalised financial advice or product recommendations.
Terms and conditions vary among different providers, you would be best if you contact the insurer directly for clarification on this matter.
All the best,
Zubair