RACT car insurance review

The Tasmanian insurer was more expensive than other brands but some common benefits are missing from its cover.

No reviews yet. Write a review
Nicola Middlemiss's headshot

By

Nicola Middlemiss

Updated

Fact checked

Key takeaways

  • RACT car insurance is exclusively for Tasmanian residents and often costs more than other brands.
  • Comprehensive cover includes new car replacement up to two years but lacks choice of repairer.
  • The insurer offers roadside assistance and tailored cover for unique or classic vehicles.

Pros

  • Buy your car insurance and roadside assistance all in one place
  • Tailored cover available for older, unusual, unique and rare cars
  • Support available from a Tasmanian-based call centre and nine physical branches

Cons

  • Cover isn't available to drivers who live outside of Tasmania
  • RACT's policies are, on average, significantly more expensive than other brands
  • You can't choose your own repairer, which could be inconvenient for some drivers

Compare RACT car insurance's policies

Finder Score Accidental damage Roadside assistance Fire and theft New Vehicle Replacement Hire car after theft
RACT logo
8.8 Great
RACT Comprehensive
8.8 Great
Standalone
  • If your car is written off in the first 2 years
  • No limit mentioned - Up to 14 days
    • View details
    Compare product selection
    RACT logo
    9.3 Excellent
    RACT Third Party Fire & Theft
    9.3 Excellent
    Standalone
    • View details
    Compare product selection
    RACT logo
    9.7 Excellent
    RACT Third Party Only
    9.7 Excellent
    Standalone
    • View details
    Compare product selection
    loading

    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

    Compare car insurance in under a minute

    No contact details required

    Why choose RACT car insurance?

    Whether you are looking for comprehensive cover or basic protection, RACT offers several standout features designed specifically with Tasmanian drivers in mind. Here is why you might consider choosing RACT for your car insurance:

    • 100% Local Tasmanian support. RACT is Tasmania’s only local insurer. Their call centre is based right in the state, and they operate nine physical branches. When you need to make a claim, you’re speaking directly to locals who understand the community and the roads.
    • Agreed value cover. If your car is assessed as a total loss or is stolen and not recovered, RACT pays out the exact "agreed value" listed on your current policy schedule, giving you complete certainty regarding your payout.
    • Free RACT membership. Taking out a car insurance policy automatically unlocks an RACT membership. This gives you access to a wide range of exclusive member rewards, discounts on fuel, and savings at partner businesses.
    • No-fee monthly payments. If you prefer to manage your budget by paying month-to-month, RACT does not charge any extra administrative fees for setting up a monthly direct debit.
    • Flexible excess choices. You have the freedom to adjust your car insurance excess to suit your financial situation. Choosing a higher standard excess can help lower your ongoing premium.
    • 24/7 Emergency assistance & online management. Accidents don't stick to business hours. RACT provides 24/7 emergency phone assistance, and their online portal allows you to manage your policy, update payment methods, or lodge a claim at any time of day or night.
    • Immediate glass repair bookings. If you suffer a damaged windscreen and lodge your glass claim online, RACT's system often allows you to instantly book an in-store or mobile repair straight away.
    • Multi-policy discounts. Bundling three or more eligible RACT policies, such as Comprehensive Car and Home and Contents insurance, provides a 10% premium discount.

    What isn't covered by RACT?

    To ensure you know exactly what is and isn't covered, always read the product disclosure statement.

    • Driving under the influence
    • Unlicensed drivers
    • Unsafe or unroadworthy condition
    • Wear and
    • Maintenance and breakdown
    • Theft due to negligence
    • Tyre damage
    • Intentional acts
    • Consequential loss
    • Lawful seizure
    • Using the vehicle for motor sports, racing & speed trials
    • Using the vehicle for hire, fare, or reward (such as ride-sharing) without prior agreement

    How to make an online claim

    Follow these steps to submit your comprehensive or third-party property damage claim:

    1. Log in to your account. Visit the RACT website and sign in to your online member account.
    2. Navigate to the claims section. Select Claims from the main navigation menu, then click the Make a claim button.
    3. Choose your policy. Select Car Insurance to initiate a motor claim.
    4. Enter the incident details. Fill out the required forms detailing the date, time, and exact location of the event. You will also need to input the details of any third parties and witnesses involved.
    5. Detail the damage. You will be prompted to describe the damage to your vehicle. The portal includes a vehicle diagram where you can select the specific parts of the car that were damaged. You must also specify whether the vehicle is currently safe to drive.
    6. Upload your evidence. Attach your photos and any relevant documents. If you are completing this on a computer, you can easily drag and drop your files into the designated upload area.
    7. Submit and track. Review your information for accuracy and submit the claim. A claims consultant will review your submission and contact you to discuss the next steps. You can monitor the status of your open claims at any time by returning to the Claims section of your online account.

    FAQs

    Sources

    Nicola Middlemiss's headshot
    Journalist
    Add to Preferred Sources

    Nicola Middlemiss is a journalist with nearly a decade of experience in personal finance and insurance. She has contributed to Domain, Yahoo Finance, Money Magazine and Insurance Business Australia, offering in-depth insights into commercial insurance in the Australian market. Nicola holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Leeds and a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification, which complies with ASIC standards. See full bio

    Nicola's expertise
    Nicola has written 170 Finder guides across topics including:
    • Personal finance
    • Personal insurance, including car, health, home, life, pet and travel insurance
    • Commercial business insurance
    More resources on Finder

    Get rewarded $$ for switching with Finder Rewards

    Find a better deal, save on your bills and get a free gift card. Sign up to be the first to hear about new Finder Rewards.

    Ask a question

    You are about to post a question on finder.com.au:

    • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
    • finder.com.au is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
    • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
    • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

    Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our Terms Of Service and Finder Group Privacy & Cookies Policy.

    This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

    2 Responses

      Tim's avatar
      TimApril 1, 2019

      I have a car insured with RACT & at the time I was very happy with their price. Now I would like to insure a motorbike. Does RACT insure motorbikes?

        Joshua's avatarFinder
        JoshuaApril 3, 2019Finder

        Hi Tim,

        Thanks for getting in touch with Finder. I hope all is well with you. 😃

        RACT offers personal cover and it covers you while riding a motorbike. Aside from that, they don’t offer much when it comes to insuring a motorbike. You may want to directly get in touch with RACT to know more about their motorcycle insurance.

        Alternatively, you can also check other motorcycle insurance providers. On the page, you will be able to compare motorcycle insurance and get covered. There’s a table that allows you to compare your options based on details and features. Click on the “Go to Site” green button once you’re done comparing.

        I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out again.

        Have a wonderful day!

        Cheers,
        Joshua

    More guides on Finder

    Go to site