Budget Direct vs AAMI Car InsuranceÂ
A side by side comparison of Budget Direct and AAMI car insurance including expert analysis of pricing, features, complaints and reviews.
Key takeaways
- Budget Direct typically offers lower average prices compared to AAMI based on our sample quotes.
- Budget Direct provides an optional choice of repairer a feature not available with AAMI comprehensive cover.
- AAMI's underwriter AAI resolves a higher percentage of complaints at 61.43% than Budget Direct's 50.56%.
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 |
AAMI Comprehensive Car Insurance |
|
|---|---|---|
| Underwriter |
Auto & General Insurance Company Limited |
AAI Limited |
| Accidental Damage | ||
| Damage to other people's car |
|
Up to $20 million |
| Roadside assistance |
Standalone |
Optional |
| Agreed or market value |
Agreed or Market |
Agreed or Market |
| Choice of repairer |
Optional |
 |
| Legal liability |
$20,000,000 |
$20,000,000 |
| Fire and theft |
 |
|
| Storm |
|
|
| Flood | ||
| Hire car after theft |
Up to $1,500 - Up to 21 days |
Reasonable costs - Up to 21 days |
| Hire car after no fault accident |
Up to $75/day if no hire car is provided |
Reasonable Cost |
| Hire car after at fault accident |
Optional Up to $75 per day - Up to 21 days |
Optional Up to $90 per day |
| Emergency repairs |
Up to $500 |
Up to $1,000, combined with Emergency Transport & Accommodation and Personal Effects |
| Emergency travel and accommodation costs |
Up to $1,000 - Up to $200 per day |
Up to $1,000, combined with Essential Emergency Repairs and Personal Effects |
| 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, combined with Essential Emergency Repairs and Emergency Transport & Accommodation |
| 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
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How we picked theseCar 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.
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.
| Underwriter | Complaints received | Complaints resolved at registration & referral | Referral resolution rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAI | 2231 | 1370 | 61.43% |
| Auto & General | 1431 | 723 | 50.56% |
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
Our expert says
"Budget Direct is typically a little cheaper than AAMI and has more positive customer reviews online. They're pretty similar in terms of their level of cover, though AAMI gives you a little more for your money with some benefits such as a hire car after theft and a no fault accident. It's also a very popular insurer with a good network of repairers. In general though, these products are very similar so it's really worth getting your own quote to see who comes in cheaper."
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