Budget Direct Third Party
- Get a 15%* online discount
- Up to $5,000 uninsured motorist damage cover
- Flexible payment options
- Up to $20 million legal liability cover
We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!
Third party property damage (TPPD) car insurance covers damage you cause to someone else's vehicle or property.
If you crash into someone's new car, you won't be paying the repair costs - your insurance will. This kind of policy won't cover your car but could stop you from facing big bills from other people.
Third party property car insurance special offers for January 2022
Deal
15% online discount on third party property car insurance
Receive 15% off your first year's premium when you purchase a new policy online. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Save 10% when you buy third party property damage car insurance online
Get 10% on Coles Car Insurance when you buy online.
Deal
Get $50 gift card when you purchase a new car insurance policy.
Sign up for ahm car insurance and you’ll enjoy a $50 Visa e-gift card*. T&Cs apply.
Compare car insurance by state
Use the map below to compare car insurance based on your location.
What is third party property insurance?
Third party property is a type of car insurance policy that covers you for damage to other people's property, for example someone else's car, home or shop. It covers only this and nothing else, up to a certain limit (commonly $20 million).
- Repair or replacement costs for damage to other people’s property.
- Legal costs you incur while defending yourself against liability claims.
This type of policy adds an additional layer of protection over the bare minimum Compulsory Third Party Insurance, and prevents you from having to be out of pocket for potentially enormous bills.
Who is the cheapest third party car insurance?
There's no universally cheapest third party car insurer as your cost will depend on your circumstances. During our analysis of 9 Australian car insurance brands, we found that the average cost of third party property damage car insurance was $475 a year, or $40 a month.
Keep in mind that these costs are based on a limited profile (that we've outlined below). As with all car insurance, the cost of a third party policy will vary based on your age, location, gender, and other variables such as where you park your car.
| Brand | Monthly cost | Yearly cost | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bingle
| $26.08 | $313.01 | Get quote |
| AAMI
| $45.90 | $550.80 | More info |
| Budget Direct
| $42.50 | $510.04 | Get quote |
| Virgin Money
| $43.35 | $520.22 | More info |
| GIO
| $46.63 | $559.57 | More info |
| Suncorp
| $68.78 | $825.32 | More info |
| NRMA
| $37.70 | $452.43 | More info |
| CGU
| $18.19 | $218.31 | More info |
| QBE
| $26.93 | $323.15 | Get quote |
To determine this estimated cost, we sourced quotes using this profile:
- Female driver born 1/1/1981
- Silver 2018 Toyota Hilux 2.8L Auto
- Third party only car insurance
- Safe driver with no claims made in the past 3 years
- Drives 10,000-15,000 km per year
- Adjusted excess to $850 where possible
- Driver located in Sydney
- Policy starting 17/09/2021
Be sure to check the product disclosure statement (PDS) to help you make the right choice.
How to find the cheapest third party car insurance
- Shop around. Don't just sign up for the first policy you see just because you saw a convincing ad on TV. Compare the cover offered by different policies to find a better deal. If you think you're paying too much, get quotes from other insurers.
- Compare quotes. Getting car insurance quotes online is quick and easy. Obtain quotes from multiple insurers and compare them in relation to the level of cover offered.
- Choose a higher excess. Your insurer will offer you a lower premium in return.
- Nominate drivers. If you can nominate certain people to drive your car, especially if they are all over the age of 25, this will reduce the cost of your cover.
- Bundle your cover. If you have a separate policy (for example home insurance) with a provider, they may offer you a discount on your car insurance policy.
- Buy online. Many insurers offer sizeable discounts to their customers for purchasing their policies online.
- Secure your vehicle. Vehicles with security systems and those that are kept garaged overnight are less expensive to insure than ones parked on the street or without security systems.
Is third party property insurance right for you?
Could be good for those who:
- Have a car that is not worth much money
- Can't afford higher cover at this time
- Want more than the bare minimum cover, which only covers injuries to people
Might not be suited to those who:
- Own an expensive car
- Live in a high crime area, with risk of theft or fire (in which case, consider TPFT instead)
- Want cover for hail, storm or flood (you'd want a comprehensive policy)
What impacts the price you pay?
When calculating your third party property damage insurance premiums, insurers consider questions like:
- How old are the people driving your car?Younger drivers are more inexperienced and also feature heavily in Australian road crash statistics, which means they cost more to insure.
- Are you a good driver? Drivers with a long, blemish-free driving record will obviously cost less to insure than those who have made claims in the past or also have multiple traffic infringements.
- Where do you keep your car at night? Areas with high theft and accident risks will generally result in higher insurance premiums for car owners.
- What type of car do you drive? Inexpensive, low powered cars are typically cheaper to cover than high powered, expensive vehicles. Any modifications and accessories fitted to your vehicle will also be taken into account.
- How much do you use your car? If your vehicle is used for business purposes, or more frequently than most, you may have to pay a higher premium. Alternatively, if you don't drive too often you can opt for a Pay As You Drive policy.
How to find the best third party property car insurance policy
Once you've decided that a third party property policy is best for you, there are a few things worth taking into consideration when looking for and comparing policies:
- Select an appropriate excess: For those looking to save, finding the right excess can be tricky. It really depends on your experience and how much you plan on driving but the higher your excess, the lower your premium will be. Be wary of a very high excess as it won't be worth your while to make smaller claims.
- Look out for policies that offer additional benefits: Because third party property policies offer very little more than cover if you hit someone, it's worth looking for policies that have additional benefits. Some insurers offer lifetime guarantees on authorised repairs, as long as you are the owner of the car.
- Loyalty discounts: TPP is a good option for younger drivers with older cars – it effectively insures everyone else's car - so going with an insurer that offers loyalty discounts makes sense. It means the longer you stay with them, the more you'll save in the long run.
- No Claim Bonus: Many insurers give you a No Claim Bonus if you have a good claims history. The best rating - which generally involves you making no claims for at least five years - can save you up to 70%. It's harder to find TPP policies with a rating this high but 50-60% is still a good deal.
How to compare third party property car insurance
Trying to compare third party car insurance policies can be difficult. Here are a few steps you should take when finding a policy that's right for you:
- Compare cover: Use comparison sites to scout out the best deal. Our comparison page neatly breaks down each policy and lets you compare car insurance policies side by side.
- Compare limits: Look at the different limits insurance companies offer. Most cover you for up to a market value of $5,000 for damage to your car if you are not at fault and the other vehicle is not insured. Cover for damage to other people's property is usually capped at $20 million. Be wary of insurers that offer less than this as it could cost you more in the long run.
- Compare the small-print: As with all policies, make sure you read into your cover. Whilst it might seem like you've come across a great deal, it might be too good to be true. For instance, if you have a protected no claim bonus, an 'at fault' claim might still have an impact on your premium. 'No fault' claims – even something like hail damage - can impact on your premium.
What kind of exclusions does 3rd party property insurance have?
There are some general exclusions that apply to most third party property damage policies. For example, you won't be covered if:
- You have modified your car with non-standard accessories, such as custom paint work and turbo or supercharged engines. Some modifications will be covered, such as radio and stereo systems, bike racks, alarm systems and bull bars, but to be covered let your insurer know first.
- Your car is overloaded with too much weight.
- You were using your car for 'hire and reward', ie. to carry other people's goods in return for payment.
- Whoever is driving your car is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or if they won't take a breath or drug test.
- Your car has personal items stolen from it.
- Your car breaks down (for mechanical, structural or electrical reasons).
- There is tyre damage caused by braking, punctures bursts (for example, from a nail on the road) and tyre cuts (either deliberate or accidental).
- The damage is as a result of a deliberate or reckless act by you.
- Your car has already been involved in an accident, and there is an additional loss incurred when driving it.
Have questions? We have answers
How does third party property damage insurance work?
The idea is that all car accidents have one party who's at fault, and who will need to pay for injuries with CTP insurance, and pay for property damage with third party damage insurance. Ideally everyone is insured, and all road accident victims have an easy way to get compensation.
Does third party property damage policy cover windscreen damage?
Usually not. Most car insurance policies, even comprehensive ones, do not cover windscreen damage. This is usually clearly mentioned as an exclusion. It is unlikely that any third party property damage car insurance policy will cover damage to your own windscreen.
Will my third party insurance cover me when driving other cars?
No. Third party insurance is for your vehicle. Your car is insured to be driven by certain people as described in the insurance policy. You are not automatically covered by your usual third party insurance when driving other vehicles.
Does this type of policy cover accidents?
Yes. Third party insurance is all about paying for vehicles and property damaged in accidents. The person found to be responsible for an accident must use their third party insurance to pay damage to the other person's vehicle. If you were not the guilty party in an accident you may be required to prove that the other person was.
Is my baby seat covered?
No. TPPD policies do not cover baby capsules or child seats.
What should I look for in a TPPD policy?
The exact terms and conditions of your TPPD insurance depend on the details of the policy. The three main terms to look out for are agreed value or market value, the amount of excess and whether or not it includes an agreed value or market value form. If you take out a market value policy, your car will be covered up to its market value at the time of a claim, subject to depreciation. The market value is determined by the make, model, age and condition of your vehicle.
Under an agreed value car insurance policy, you and your insurer agree upon the value of your car and lock in that value until the time comes to renew your cover.
What does excess mean?
The excess is the amount you are required to pay to contribute to the cost of your claim. As an example, if your excess is $250 and your claim is for $2,000, you will pay the first $250 of your claim and your insurer will cover the remaining $1,750. Insurers will charge a basic excess, which is the minimum you'll need to contribute when you make a claim, as well as a voluntary excess (in return for a lower premium) and an age excess (if your policy features a young or inexperienced driver). Depending on your insurance provider and your individual circumstances, other excesses may also apply to your cover.
What is an uninsured motorist extension?
An uninsured motorist extension (UME) is an optional extra available with some third party car insurance policies. It covers damage to your vehicle up to set limits (typically around $3,000-$5,000) damage cover in the event that it's damaged by an uninsured driver, that you were not at fault and that you can provide the uninsured driver's name and address.
*The products compared on this page are chosen from a range of offers available to us and are not representative of all the products available in the market. There is no perfect order or perfect ranking system for the products we list on our Site, so we provide you with the functionality to self-select, re-order and compare products. The initial display order is influenced by a range of factors including conversion rates, product costs and commercial arrangements, so please don't interpret the listing order as an endorsement or recommendation from us. We're happy to provide you with the tools you need to make better decisions, but we'd like you to make your own decisions and compare and assess products based on your own preferences, circumstances and needs.
Picture: GettyImages
Icons made by Freepik from www.flaticon.com
More guides on Finder
- It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia: All episodes finally coming to austrais coming to Disney Plus
Meet The Gang everyone loves to spend time watching.
- Will savings account interest rates go up in 2022?
One bank has already raised the bonus interest rate on its savings account, and more banks could do the same throughout the year.
- Heartland Express Reverse Mortgage
A review of Heartland’s Express Reverse Mortgage. Discover the features and benefits.
- See the COVID-19 border testing rules for interstate travel [Updated]
Whether it's a holiday or work trip, these states require you to get a COVID-19 test first.
- Australian Open 2022: Live stream and tournament preview
Ash Barty will lead the local charge as the 2022 Australian Open gets underway.
- How to watch Sydney Sixers vs Sydney Thunder BBL live and match preview
The Sixers and Thunder clash in the biggest Sydney Derby in the history of the Big Bash League.
- Where to watch Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses online
Who will be declared House Cup Champion?
- How to watch Ray Donovan: The Movie online in Australia
Will Mickey Donovan finally die in this wrap-up movie?
- RAT scams: How to avoid getting conned with rapid antigen tests
Don't fall for the scam artists when you're trying to protect your health - here's what to check.
- How to do a COVID-19 test at home for international travel
Here's where you can book COVID-19 at-home tests approved for travel and how they work.