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Shannons Car Insurance Review

Specialist car insurance made for classic, vintage and unique vehicles. Read our review.

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By

Cristal Dyer

&

James Martin

Updated

Fact checked

If you drive a modified, classic or unique car or want a home insurance policy designed especially for car enthusiasts, Shannons insurance could be just the ticket. Its specialised insurance covers rare, unique, vintage and modified cars and motorbikes. Its cover includes any accessories, modifications, tools and spare parts that make your car unique.

Our Verdict:

  • Shannons gives you multiple ways to save – from a multi-vehicle or policy discount to a protected no claim discount.
  • You'll get a new vehicle if yours is written off in the first 2 years; some insurers only offer this in the first 12 months.
  • You'll need to pay extra for roadside assistance; by way of comparison, Youi offers this as standard in its comprehensive plan.

Review by our car insurance senior writer James Martin

Shannons car insurance cover options

Shannons car insurance policies are tailored towards motoring enthusiasts and owners of special cars, and you'll find its features and benefits reflect this focus. You can choose between a standalone third party legal liability cover and comprehensive cover that includes legal liability cover.

Car care

Shannons comprehensive car insurance

This Shannons insurance covers loss or damage to your vehicle, including collision or impact, fire, flood, hail, storm, theft and malicious damage. It also comes with the following inclusions:

  • Agreed value, including the value of any accessories and modifications
  • Towing and storage costs
  • New replacement car in the event of a total loss if your vehicle is less than 2 years old and you're its first owner
  • Up to $1,500 for a trailer attached to your vehicle
  • One free windscreen or window glass claim per vehicle per year
  • Hire car after a not-at-fault incident until your claim is settled
  • 21-day car hire following theft
  • Choice of repairer
  • Up to $1,000 for emergency repairs and another $1,000 for accommodation if you are more than 100km from home
  • Lifetime guarantee on authorised repairs

Car accident

Shannons third party legal liability only insurance

Shannons' third party legal liability only insurance covers you and anyone who has permission to use your vehicle for up to $20 million of legal liability resulting from the following:

  • Death or bodily injury to other people
  • Loss or damage to someone else's property

The policy includes cover for the following:

  • Goods falling from your vehicle
  • The process of unloading or loading your vehicle
  • Your vehicle while towing a trailer, caravan or mechanically disabled motor vehicle
  • The cost of emergency services clean-up after an incident involving your vehicle
  • Associated legal costs

Note: This cover is not intended to be a substitute for compulsory third party (CTP) insurance. It will not pay out for accidents that are covered by CTP or would have been covered by CTP insurance if you had it. It will also not cover your liability for injuries or property damage to yourself or someone who normally lives with you and is subject to other policy exclusions.

Service - optional

Optional cover

You can add optional cover to your Shannons insurance policy for an additional premium. These include the following:

  • Shannons roadside assistance. A dedicated 24/7 roadside assistance service for any type of breakdown, including a flat tyre or flat battery.
  • Salvage rights. If your vehicle is totalled in an accident, Shannons' comprehensive car insurance gives you the option of retaining it unrepaired.
  • Hire car for unlimited days. Cover for the reasonable cost of a hire car of a similar make and model to your vehicle.

What won't I be covered for?

Shannons car and motorcycle insurance will not pay out in the following situations:

  • Your vehicle is used in a way other than what's approved in the policy.
  • Your vehicle was being driven by anyone not listed as a driver in your policy, unless it was stolen.
  • Your car or motorcycle was driven by anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or who refused to take a drug or alcohol test, unless it was stolen.
  • Your car or a trailer being towed by it is in any way not within the bounds of the law, such as if it's overloaded.
  • Your car or motorbike was at a vehicle race track or directly next to one, unless you are either covered for racing, or you can prove that you were there entirely for a purpose other than driving.
  • Anything that happens outside of Australia.
  • Tyre damage caused by punctures, cuts, bursting or breaking.
  • Any wear and tear, including corrosion, rust and depreciation.
  • Mechanical, structural or electronic breakdown or malfunction.
  • Any additional damage caused by driving a vehicle after an accident or failing to protect it after an accident, theft or recovery.

Is Shannons expensive?

Shannons car insurance is more expensive than most typical comprehensive car insurance policies, but it offers some advantages if you are insuring modified, classic or unique vehicles. Many people still use Shannons to insure their everyday cars to get the benefits of comprehensive insurance and the available options.

Steps to save on your Shannons policy

There are a lot of ways to reduce premiums and get discounts with Shannons. Most of these are only available with comprehensive car or motorcycle insurance:

  • Pay premiums monthly, quarterly or half yearly at no extra cost. You can sign short-term policies without a penalty, letting you adapt your cover more easily.
  • Get multi-policy discounts. If you have a car or motorcycle insurance policy with Shannons, you can get 10% off a home and contents policy.
  • Look at multi-vehicle discounts. Insure 2 or more vehicles on the same policy for premium discounts. These can be any vehicle, such as a car and a motorcycle, or your everyday vehicle and a classic car.
  • Take advantage of limited use options. Shannons has several limited use discounts, depending on how frequently you drive the insured vehicle. Standard limited use discounts are for when you drive the car no more than once or twice a week on average. Extreme limited use is a bigger discount for when you drive it no more than twice a month, and club plate use is when your vehicle is only driven in accordance with state regulations for club or logbook registration.
  • Shannons offers no claim bonuses. Every year you go without making a claim gets you a bigger discount, up to a maximum no claim discount of 65%.

How do I make an insurance claim with Shannons?

To make your Shannons car insurance claims go smoothly, you can claim online in a few simple steps:

  • Head to https://www.shannons.com.au/claims/make-a-claim/
  • Enter your personal details, policy number and date of the event
  • Complete any details about what happened
  • Upload any photos or documents related to claim
  • Complete ​​details of any other people involved
  • Submit, and Shannons will contact you within 2 business days

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Frequently asked questions about Shannons car insurance

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7 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    DennisSeptember 22, 2023

    I wish to cancel my bike insurance as my bike has been sold

    Reply
      AvatarFinder
      GarySeptember 29, 2023Finder

      Hi Dennis,

      Finder is a comparison site. You will need to reach out to Shannons directly to cancel your insurance policy.

      Thanks,
      Gary

      Reply
      AvatarFinder
      PetaSeptember 25, 2023Finder

      Hi Dennis,
      You’ll need to get in touch with your insurance provider to do this. You could try doing it online or by giving them a call.
      Thanks,
      Peta

      Reply
    Default Gravatar
    PaulaJuly 11, 2017

    Hi, we are moving to Melbourne and want to bring our Mercedes Benz ML250 from the UK – can you provide an estimate on comprehensive insurance costs per year for 2 drivers? Much appreciated, Paula

    Reply
      Default Gravatar
      JonathanJuly 13, 2017

      Hello Paula!

      Thanks for the comment. Please be advised that finder is a comparison website and can give general advice.

      For your request, you may contact Shannons at 1800 562 268 or leave your details on their site and request a quote thru a callback.

      Hope this helps.

      Cheers,
      Jonathan

      Reply
    Default Gravatar
    KateJune 5, 2017

    With the new laws coming into effect in South Australia on July 1 2017 regarding heritage/classic/left hand drive and modified cars (built before Jan 1979)and driving 90 days per year (lower cost in registration), how does that effect my insurance for my classic/modified car?

    Reply
      Default Gravatar
      JonathanJune 6, 2017

      Hi Kate!

      Thanks for the comment.

      You may call 13 46 46 to speak to a Shannons representative about the impact of regulatory changes on the insurance of your vehicle.

      Hope this helps.

      Cheers,
      Jonathan

      Reply
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