Budget Direct vs AAMI Car Insurance 

A side by side comparison of Budget Direct and AAMI car insurance including expert analysis of pricing, features, complaints and reviews.

Both Budget Direct and AAMI are relatively cheap car insurers though our research suggests Budget Direct is slightly cheaper on average. If you're looking for a little more on benefits such as a hire car after theft, AAMI may be more suited to your needs.

Budget Direct vs AAMI — compare key features

We've compared the comprehensive car insurance policies on offer from Budget Direct and AAMI car insurance. See the key differences between the two.

Budget Direct Comprehensive image
Budget Direct Comprehensive
AAMI Comprehensive Car Insurance image
AAMI Comprehensive Car Insurance
Underwriter
Auto & General Insurance Company Ltd
AAI Limited
Accidental Damage
Damage to other people's car


Bonuses
15% online discount
$50 online discount
Roadside assistance
Optional
Optional
Agreed or market value
Agreed or Market
Agreed or Market
Choice of repairer
Optional
Legal liability
Yes - $20,000,000
Yes - $20,000,000
Fire and theft
Storm
Flood
Hire car after theft

Up to $1,000 - Up to 14 days

Reasonable costs - Up to 21 days
Hire car after no fault accident
Optional
Up to $75 per day - Up to 14 days
Optional

Up to $90 per day
Hire car after at fault accident

Up to $75 per day

Limit not disclosed
Emergency repairs

Up to $500

Up to $1,000
Emergency travel and accommodation costs

Up to $1,000 - Up to $200 per day

Up to $1,000
New car replacement

If your car is written off in the first 2 years or is under 40,000kms

If your car is written off or stolen in the first 2 years
Personal effects/property

Up to $500

Up to $1,000
Locks and keys replacement

Up to $1,000

Towing
Trailer cover

Up to $1,000

Up to $1,000
Important
Limits, exclusions and terms and conditions apply. Read the Product Disclosure Statement.
Limits, exclusions and terms and conditions apply. Read the Product Disclosure Statement.

Budget Direct vs AAMI car insurance prices compared

As part of our 2024 Finder car insurance awards, we collected over 1,800 car insurance quotes from 30 car insurance providers, using a range of driver profiles across different states, ages and genders. Below is a breakdown of that research for Budget Direct and AAMI.

On average, Budget Direct typically offers cheaper car insurance than AAMI. However, it's important to keep in mind that price may not be the only factor in your search for the best car insurance.

ProviderNSWQLDSATASVICWAAus average
Budget Direct $1,148$941$978$829$1,180$880$992
AAMI$1,884$1,106$1,015$985$1,318$1,002$1,218

These quotes are 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.

About our car insurance methodology

Car insurance policies on offer

Budget Direct offers 4 types of car insurance:

  • Gold Comprehensive
  • Gold Low Kilometres Comprehensive
  • Third Party Fire & theft
  • Third Party Property Damage

AAMI offers 2 types of car insurance:

  • AAMI Comprehensive
  • AAMI Third party property damage

AAMI's third party property damage policy can have fire & theft car insurance added to it.

Customer reviews

Both AAMI & Budget Direct were tied in the Finder customer satisfaction awards. Both scored 4.32/5. We asked over 5,700 Australians in total. AAMI car insurance has more negative reviews on popular review websites than Budget Direct.

AAMI and Budget Direct complaints information

Using data from the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), we can see how many motor insurance complaints the underwriters from AAMI (AAI) and Budget Direct (Auto & General) have received and resolved.
While AAI has received more complaints, it's important to note that it has a larger market share and seems to have resolved those complaints at a higher rate than Auto & General.

UnderwriterComplaints received Complaints resolved at registration & referral Referral resolution rate
AAI2231137061.43%
Auto & General 143172350.56%

The claims process

You can claim online, over the phone or via chat with Budget Direct.

With AAMI, claims can be made via the AAMI My Account. Once you've filled out the form, an AAMI claims consultant should get in touch with you.

Both insurers offer agreed or market value options when you take out cover. Market value pays you the market value of your car at the time it's written off. Agreed value pays you the amount you agree with your insurer when you take out a policy.

Finder's verdict

FAQs

Gary Ross Hunter's headshot
Editor, Insurance

Gary Ross Hunter was 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). See full bio

Gary Ross's expertise
Gary Ross has written 645 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Health, home, life, car, pet and travel insurance
  • Managing the cost of living

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