Budget Direct vs NRMA Car Insurance
A side by side comparison of Budget Direct and NRMA car insurance including expert analysis of pricing, features, complaints and reviews.
Key takeaways
- Sample quotes suggest Budget Direct is often significantly cheaper than NRMA for comprehensive cover.
- NRMA provides higher limits for emergency repairs and personal effects coverage.
- NRMA maintains physical stores across NSW, potentially appealing for those preferring in-person service.
Budget Direct comes with the same benefits you get with the most comprehensive car insurance providers but for less money, according to our research. NRMA isn't typically as cheap but it's got stores throughout NSW and gives you a little more money for emergency repairs.
Budget Direct vs NRMA — compare key features
We've compared the comprehensive car insurance policies on offer from Budget Direct car insurance and NRMA car insurance. See further below for other types of car insurance offered by these providers.
Budget Direct Comprehensive |
NRMA Comprehensive |
|
|---|---|---|
| Underwriter |
Auto & General Insurance Company Limited |
Insurance Australia Limited |
| Accidental Damage | ||
| Damage to other people's car |
|
|
| Roadside assistance |
Standalone |
Standalone |
| Agreed or market value |
Agreed or Market |
Agreed or Market |
| Choice of repairer |
Optional |
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 |
Up to $75 per day - Up to 21 days |
| Hire car after no fault accident |
Up to $75 per day |
Reasonable costs |
| Hire car after at fault accident |
Optional Up to $75 per day - Up to 21 days |
Optional Up to $75 per day - Up to 21 days |
| Emergency repairs |
Up to $500 |
Up to $800 |
| 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 in the first 2 years |
| Personal effects/property |
Up to $500 |
Up to $1,000 |
| Locks and keys replacement |
Up to $1,000 |
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 NRMA 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 Comprehensive Low Kilometres
- Third Party Fire & Theft
- Third Party Property Damage
NRMA also offers 4 levels of car insurance:
- NRMA Comprehensive Plus
- NRMA Comprehensive
- NRMA Third Party Fire & Theft
- NRMA Third Party Property Damage
NRMA also offers Compulsory Third Party (CTP)
car insurance.
Budget Direct and NRMA complaints information
Using data from the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), we can see how many motor insurance complaints the underwriters for Budget Direct (Auto & General) and NRMA (Insurance Australia Limited) have received and resolved.
| Underwriter | Complaints received | Complaints resolved at registration & referral | Referral resolution rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auto & General Services Pty Ltd | 1431 | 723 | 50.56% |
| Insurance Australia Limited | 1413 | 760 | 53.82% |
Finder's verdict
Our expert says
"Budget Direct and NRMA have pretty similar levels of cover but our research shows that Budget Direct is typically cheaper. NRMA has stores throughout NSW which might make it more appealing for some people though."
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