Does my car insurance automatically renew?

If you selected an auto renewal option when you originally bought your car insurance it will automatically renew at the end date of your current policy. However, if you chose any other option you’ll have to manually renew with your current provider or buy a new policy elsewhere.

What happens if you don’t renew car insurance in time?

If you don’t renew your car insurance in time you’ll still be able to legally drive it as long as you’ve bought your Compulsory Third-party Insurance (CTP or green slip). This protects you if you cause injuries or cause death to someone else in a motor accident.

How can I get a better deal on my car insurance renewal?

Understand what your needs are in terms of coverage so you can compare like for like with different car insurance providers. A good rule of thumb is just because an insurer is cheaper in one state, it doesn't necessarily mean that they'll be cheap in yours. So it’s important to find quotes for your specific location. You should find out if there’s any room for negotiation with your current insurer and weigh that with the price you’ll get with a different brand. Many insurers offer sign-up discounts for new customers so it’s always good to check before you make a decision.

How do I renew my green slip?

If you’re in NSW your green slip can be renewed separately, either through your provider or with Service NSW. In all other Australian states your green slip renewal will be included when you purchase your vehicle registration.

Can your insurer refuse to renew your car insurance?

If you have an increased risk profile, have too many insurance claims, or violate your policy’s terms and conditions, your insurer can refuse to renew your car insurance.

Car insurance renewal: What are my options?

Research indicates average annual comprehensive car insurance costs vary by nearly $400 across insurers.
Before renewing, review your policy for price increases and cover, then compare options from various providers.
If your renewal is declined, improve your risk profile or seek quotes from different car insurance brands.

If your car insurance policy is set to expire soon, it's a good time to think about renewing.

Whether you’re looking for a better deal or thinking about how you can renew, we’ve made an easy guide to navigate the important details.

How to renew your car insurance

You’ll likely get a renewal notice a few weeks before your policy is due to end. How you go about renewing policy will depend on the options available with your insurer and how you originally took out cover.

Auto renewal. Your policy will automatically continue after the current policy period. This means you won’t have to do anything and your premiums will continue to be directly debited.
Online. Most insurers allow you the option of renewing your policy through a member portal or through a direct process where you enter your policy number, post code and banking details.
Phone. If you prefer to speak to a person, many providers have representatives that can help you renew your policy over the phone.
BPAY. Your renewal notice will generally include your insurers biller code and reference, which you can use to pay with online banking.

What to do before renewing your car insurance

You’re going to want to find out how much your premiums are going up before you decide to renew.

Depending on the type and age of your car, your claims history, and whether or not you have a no claims discount, your new premium could be a lot more expensive than you expected. If you no longer feel like you’re getting the best bang for your buck, it might be time to find a new provider.

Our research found that there was a variation in average annual costs of almost $400 for comprehensive car insurance when looking at 37 different Australian insurers. Finding a good deal can save you a lot of money, but it’s important to understand what your current policy covers so you can easily compare apples to apples when you shop around.

What to do if your renewal has been declined

If you’ve missed premium payments or violated the terms of your car insurance policy, there’s a chance your renewal will be declined. In that case, you have a few options to help you get coverage:

Contact your insurer to understand the specific reason you’ve been refused. If it’s something correctable like your payment or claims history, see if there’s a way to address these concerns and potentially renegotiate reinstatement.
Shop around for a new car insurance policy from other providers. Even if your current insurer has declined your renewal, others may still offer you coverage.
Improving your risk profile can be done by doing things like changing your driving behaviour, parking your vehicle in a safer location, or removing other listed drivers from your policy, especially if they’re younger or most risk prone.
Talk to a professional like a insurance broker or agent if you need further help in finding new coverage.

Compare and switch

10 of 74 results

Finder Score	Roadside assistance	Accidental damage	Agreed or Market Value
9.2 Excellent Youi Comprehensive Finder Award	9.2 Excellent		Optional	Agreed or Market	Summary: A great value policy with exceptional customer service. It also automatically includes roadside assistance with comprehensive policies in its price - a feature that typically costs upwards of $90 per year.	Get Quote View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
9.5 Excellent Budget Direct Comprehensive Finder Award	9.5 Excellent	Standalone	Optional	Agreed or Market	Discount: Receive 15% off your first year's premium when you purchase cover online. T&Cs apply.	Summary: Budget Direct Comprehensive is highly commended as a feature-packed car insurance. It's cheaper than most, plus you can lower costs by adding age restrictions. Who it might be good for: Anyone who wants a good value policy.	Get Quote View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
8.1 Great QBE Comprehensive	8.1 Great		Optional	Agreed or Market	Discount: Save $75 when you purchase a new comprehensive policy online. T&Cs apply.	Who it might be good for: Those who want a trustworthy insurer and more cover than other brands, such as 3-year new car replacement (e.g. they'll give you money for a new car for up to 3 years if yours is written off).	Get Quote View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
9.4 Excellent Qantas Comprehensive	9.4 Excellent	Optional	Optional	Agreed or Market	Bonus points offer: Earn up to 30,000 Qantas Points with every car insurance policy. Ends 23 September 2026. Plus save 15% on your 1st year’s premium when you purchase online. T&Cs apply.	Summary: You need car insurance so why not get one that lets you earn Qantas Points? It's good value too (it's underwritten by the same insurer as Budget Direct). Who it might be good for: People who want more bang for their buck with Qantas Points.	Get Quote View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
9.3 Excellent Kogan Comprehensive	9.3 Excellent			Agreed or Market	Discount: Get up to 10% off your first year's premium when you apply online and $10 monthly Kogan credit (valid on $100+ purchases) for active policyholders. T&Cs apply.	Summary: Kogan comes with all the perks that most comprehensive car insurance policies include, but you’ll also be entitled to some benefits from its online store. This usually comes in the form of a gift voucher or discount if you buy online. Who it might be good for: Kogan shoppers and those after a good range of policy options.	Get Quote View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
9 Excellent Bingle Comprehensive	9 Excellent			Market	Summary: Bingle car insurance delivers decent coverage across the basics, such as damage to your car, theft and storms. Who it might be good for: Drivers looking for a no-frills policy with accessible coverage options.	Get Quote View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
8.7 Great ROLLiN' Comprehensive	8.7 Great			Agreed	Summary: One of the most cost-effective insurers for under 25s, according to Finder research, with no aged-based excess. Who it might be good for: Young drivers looking to keep costs down and anyone who’d like to get more flexibility from their car insurance.	Get Quote View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
8.6 Great RACV Comprehensive (VIC customers only)	8.6 Great	Standalone	Optional	Agreed or Market	Summary: RACV Comprehensive offers member-based car insurance with flexible cover options and solid inclusions, depending on your level of cover. Who it might be good for: VIC drivers seeking customisable cover with strong benefits and potential member perks.	Get Quote View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
8.6 Great Australian Seniors Comprehensive	8.6 Great	Optional		Agreed	Discount: Save 5% on your first year's car insurance premium by holding a valid Seniors Card. T&Cs apply.	Finder’s summary: Australian Seniors’ comprehensive policy includes complimentary hire car for a stolen car, up to $1,000 for a damaged trailer or caravan, up to $500 for emergency travel and accommodation cover. Who it might be good for: People over 50 years old looking for flexible cover options.	Get Quote View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
8.5 Great Huddle Comprehensive	8.5 Great	Optional		Agreed or Market	Summary: Huddle's comprehensive policy will cover you if your vehicle is damaged or lost as a result of a collision, a natural event, a malicious act, theft or fire. It also includes up to $500 for essential repairs. Who it might be good for: Someone who drives less than 15,000 km a year can opt for Pay As You Drive cover.	Get Quote View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading

Showing 10 of 10 results

Finder Score for car insurance

We analyse over 30 car insurance products across insurance providers, and rate each one for price and features. We collect up to 36 quotes per product, for male and female drivers in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia. Quotes are collected for 20 year olds, 30 year olds and 60 year olds, assuming an excess of $850 for a 2020 Toyota Corolla 4 door sedan model, with an average 15,000 kms driven each year. While we are not allowed to display actual quotes, our Finder Score aims to serve as an indicative guide to how cost and feature competitive a product might be for you.

Our feature score assesses each product for more than 15 features across loss and damage coverage, repairs and assistance coverage, personal items coverage and policy coverage. Features we assess include but are not limited to legal liability, essential repairs, new car replacement, car hire events, roadside assistance, agreed or market value, windscreen damage and natural disaster coverage.

Read the full methodology

FAQs

Understand what your needs are in terms of coverage so you can compare like for like with different car insurance providers.
A good rule of thumb is just because an insurer is cheaper in one state, it doesn't necessarily mean that they'll be cheap in yours. So it’s important to find quotes for your specific location.
You should find out if there’s any room for negotiation with your current insurer and weigh that with the price you’ll get with a different brand. Many insurers offer sign-up discounts for new customers so it’s always good to check before you make a decision.

Sources

Thank you for your feedback!

Written by

Cameron Thach

Writer

With a background in writing across education, Web3, and finance, Cameron’s mission is to create content that speaks directly to readers in a way that’s easy to understand, helping them navigate complex topics with confidence. Cameron studied a Bachelor of Commerce, Economics and Marketing at Macquarie University, graduating in 2019. See full bio

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2 Responses

susanOctober 20, 2021

My son’s car renewal insurance has been declined, is there another insurer we can use for insurance.

Finder

JamesNovember 10, 2021Finder

Hi Susan,

I’m sorry to hear that.

You can compare a range of insurance providers here.

Before applying, please remind your son to read a policy’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) so that he’s aware of what he’s covered for, along with any exclusions or restrictions.

I hope this helps.

Regards,
James

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