Budget Direct vs Bingle car insurance
A side by side comparison of Budget Direct and Bingle car insurance including expert analysis of pricing, features, complaints and reviews.
Key takeaways
- Bingle often offers lower comprehensive car insurance premiums according to Finder Awards research.
- Budget Direct offers more add-ons than Bingle, such as optional choice of repairer and standalone roadside assistance, but they cost extra rather than being included.
- AAI (Bingle) recorded more complaints but a higher resolution rate than Auto & General.
Bingle is consistently the cheapest comprehensive car insurer in our Finder Awards research. If you're happy to pay a little more for comprehensive coverage, Budget Direct could be a better option.
Budget Direct vs Bingle car insurance — compare key features
We've compared the comprehensive car insurance policies on offer from Budget Direct car insurance and Bingle car insurance. See further below for other types of car insurance offered by these providers.
Budget Direct Comprehensive |
Bingle Comprehensive |
|
|---|---|---|
| Underwriter |
Auto & General Insurance Company Limited |
AAI Limited |
| Accidental Damage | ||
| Damage to other people's car |
|
|
| Roadside assistance |
Standalone |
No |
| Agreed or market value |
Agreed or Market |
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 |
Optional Optional - Up to $50 per day if Bingle cannot provide one |
| Hire car after no fault accident |
Up to $75/day if no hire car is provided |
Optional Up to $50 per day |
| Hire car after at fault accident |
Optional Up to $75 per day - Up to 21 days |
|
| Emergency repairs |
Up to $500 |
Reasonable Cost |
| Emergency travel and accommodation costs |
Up to $1,000 - Up to $200 per day |
|
| New car replacement |
If your car is written off in the first 2 years or is under 40,000kms |
Optional If your car is written off in the first 3 years |
| Personal effects/property |
Up to $500 |
|
| Locks and keys replacement |
Up to $1,000 |
|
| Towing |
|
|
| Trailer cover |
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 Bingle car insurance prices compared
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How we picked these
"I'd had various insurances through Budget Direct for many years. In 2022 I purchased a brand new Landcruiser Prado. Bingle's like-for-like quote was about $100 cheaper, so I decided to go with Bingle. Unfortunately, I was involved in an accident where I was not the at-fault driver. I was satisfied with the repair carried out and how Bingle handled the claim. However, I was shocked to see that come the next annual renewal my premium rose almost $500 a year. Budget Direct was significantly cheaper so I switched back."
Car insurance policies on offer
Budget Direct offers 4 levels of car insurance cover:
- Gold Comprehensive
- Gold Low Kilometres Comprehensive
- Third Party Property Damage
- Third Party Fire & Theft
Bingle has 2 levels of car insurance cover:
- Comprehensive
- Third Party Property Damage
Budget Direct and Bingle car insurance complaints information
Using data from the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), we can see how many motor insurance complaints the underwriters from Budget Direct (Auto & General Insurance) and Bingle (AAI) have received and resolved.
| Underwriter | Complaints received | Complaints resolved at registration & referral | Referral resolution rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAI | 2231 | 1370 | 61.43% |
| Auto & General Services Pty Ltd | 1431 | 723 | 50.56% |
Finder's verdict
Our expert says
"Both Budget Direct and Bingle are cheap insurers. However, our research shows Bingle is typically cheaper and only covers the essentials, such as damage to your own car as well as others. It won the Low Cost award in the 2024 awards. Budget Direct won the Value Award. It gives you a little more for your money."
FAQs
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What is the cheapest ctp insurance
Hi David,
It isn’t possible to say as premiums will vary depending on where you live and your driving record (among other factors). You can visit our guide to CTP insurance if you’d like to learn more.
Best wishes,
James